News

Podcast: Investigative journalism in Africa: A necessary expense

2021-12-15. Join us for the latest episode of The Backstory Media Freedom podcast as we explore how investigative journalism across Africa gets done – from new financing models to journalist safety, we examine the relationship between legacy media and new investigative platforms, and explore how journalists are managing the stresses of the job and avoiding burnout.

World’s Press Alarmed by Chilling Effect on Danish Press Freedom

2021-12-14. WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum have condemned moves by Danish intelligence services to warn the country’s top media against publishing potentially classified information.

A Nobel for Journalists

2021-12-09. Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov received the Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo, recognising their struggle for press freedom, and the efforts of journalists all over the world who hold the line. Javier Garza Ramos looks at the signficicance.

2021 Golden Pen of Freedom laureate Jimmy Lai – biography

2021-12-01. Jimmy Lai and the staff of Apple Daily Hong Kong have faced harassment, arrest and prison time in their quest for press freedom. They’re this year’s winners of the WAN-IFRA Golden Pen of Freedom award.

Golden Pen of Freedom Awarded to Jimmy Lai and the Apple Daily Newsroom in Hong Kong

2021-12-01. Jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai and the newsroom staff of his now shuttered Hong Kong newspaper, Apple Daily, have been named as recipients of the 2021 WAN-IFRA Golden Pen of Freedom award

Finland: Three journalists prosecuted for ‘disclosing state secrets’

2021-11-16. The journalists working for Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s leading daily newspaper, were charged over an article about an intelligence facility.

World’s Press Calls for Immediate Release of Journalist Danny Fenster in Myanmar

*UPDATE* 2021-11-15. American journalist Danny Fenster has been released after being sentenced to 11 years in prison on Friday 12th November. Former US ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson confirms Fenster was released and handed over to him and is now on his way home.

WAN-IFRA Features in the 2021 Paris Peace Forum

2021-11-11. Now in its fourth edition, the Paris Peace Forum gathers some of the most important players in global governance. Heads of state and government and CEOs of major multinationals, as well as civil society actors, are gathering for a unique hybrid edition from 11th – 13th November to advance concrete solutions to the enormous challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and to improve global governance in times of Covid-19.

#ProtectJournalists, #EndImpunity

2021-11-02. On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, there is a new urgency to investigate and prosecute mounting threats, whether online or physical. UNESCO has released campaign materials to help draw attention to the fight for justice.

Malawi Media Freedom Committee officially launched

2021-10-19. The launch of the Malawi Media Freedom Committee (MFC) underlines the importance of a free press in holding power to account.