News

Censored notes on a scandal: Mediapart, Le Point ordered to take down ‘Bettencourt Affair’ recordings

The Court of Appeal of Versailles ruled on Thursday that the French news organisations Le Point and Mediapart must remove all published copies and transcriptions of a series of recordings made at the home of France’s richest woman, Liliane Bettencourt. Based on the claim that the recordings infringed upon Bettencourt’s right to privacy, the judicial decision has been condemned by some of France’s leading media figures as an attack on press freedom.

Jordanian online press freedom is threatened as 254 unlicensed news sites are blocked

On Tuesday 2 July the Jordanian government announced it had blocked 254 news websites that had failed to obtain a government license. This move follows a controversial change to the Press and Publication Law in 2012 dictating that online news sites must register with the government, a policy that independent watchdog organisation Freedom House fear will “risk curbing their independent reporting and analysis.” Among the blocked sites are those for Al-Jazeera, Time Out magazine and AmmanNet.

Wisconsin bill sets dangerous precedent for journalism education

A bill proposed to evict an investigative journalism nonprofit from the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus could send shockwaves through journalism schools nationwide.

Video: Editor Zaffar Abbas on the dangers of journalism in Pakistan

Zaffar Abbas is Editor of Dawn, Pakistan’s most prestigious English language newspaper. His career includes a 16-year stint for the BBC as one of its Pakistan correspondents.

President of Burundi approves new media law

President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza has approved the passing of a controversial new press law which, according to Reporters Without Borders “restricts journalists’ ability to do investigative reporting, weakens protection for sources, increases fines and requires all journalists to have a university degree regardless of their work experience.”

Indonesia journalist wins Kate Webb award

The international news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) has awarded the 2013 Kate Webb Prize for frontline journalism to Indonesian investigative reporter Stefanus Teguh Edi Pramono for his searing reportages on the bloody civil war in Syria and his eye-opening investigation into the murky underworld of the Jakarta drug trade.

Journalism can be a deadly profession

At least 15 reporters and other media professionals have been killed in Syria in the past 12 months, as the safety of journalists continues to be of major concern in conflict zones and elsewhere, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers reported in its Global Press Freedom Report.

Why we (still) need foreign correspondents and reporters on the ground, and how to ensure their safety

“If we want to offer high-quality news products, we need high-quality content, and high-quality journalism – and there is no high-quality journalism without reporters on the ground,” said Philippe Massonnet, Global News Director of Agence France-Presse in France.

WAN-IFRA meets with Thai Prime Minister

WAN-IFRA brought a delegation of publishers and editors to meet with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to discuss press freedom issues during the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum.

Special address by Thailand’s Prime Minister

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra opened Tuesday’s Congress encouraging the nearly 1600 media executives to dutifully fulfill their role as watchdogs but to do so responsibly.