‘Shameful inaction’ from Western democracies in Al Jazeera Three case

An international media freedom symposium held in London this week formally called on governments to bear the primary responsibility to ensure effective protections for free speech and the safety of journalists. But the inaction of the Canadian and Australian Prime Ministers in the case of the ‘Al Jazeera Three’ points to the reluctance of political leaders to advocate for journalists. WAN-IFRA’s Research Fellow, Australian journalist-academic Julie Posetti, reports.

Media organisations must do more to stop violence against journalists

News organisations have a responsibility to act and seek better protection for not only their own staff, but the profession as a whole, argues Peter Horrocks, the BBC’s World Service Group Director, who this week led a protest at the increasing attacks on journalism around the world.

Liberia criticised for imprisoning broadcaster under anti-terror legislation

“We are very disappointed in the actions of the Liberian authorities,” Alison Meston, WAN-IFRA’s Head of Global Campaigns, said in response to the imprisonment last week of Monrovian broadcaster Henry Costa under anti-terrorism legislation.

New UNESCO report maps trends in freedom of expression and media development

UPDATE TUESDAY: The full report is now available to download here

A UNESCO report to be released this week has identified global trends in media freedom, pluralism, independence and safety, with an emphasis on gender and globalization. As Julie Posetti reports, the study maps trends that have emerged since 2007.

Living to write another day in Liberia

A high level meeting in Liberia has agreed to expedite to the parliament draft legislation for the repeal of criminal defamation laws. This follows the release from prison of one of the country’s top editors, who was jailed for failing to pay exorbitant fines.

WAN-IFRA’s Head of Global Campaigns, Alison Meston, reports from Monrovia.

Foreign correspondents’ visa woes worsen in China, survey confirms

The number of foreign correspondents experiencing difficulties renewing their reporting credentials in China has doubled, according to results from a survey conducted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China.

Newspapers confiscated as Sudan continues to target freedom of press

Since the beginning of the year, Sudanese authorities have taken a hardened stance against the media, even targeting publications known to be traditionally pro-government. The Constitutional Court’s decision on 5 March 2014 to lift suspension measures taken almost two years ago against Al-Tayar newspaper came amid heavy crackdowns on the press. Reporters Without Borders has counted at least 18 confiscations or suspensions of newspapers in Sudan since January 2014.

Actions in UK have placed press freedom under threat worldwide

2014-03-17. WAN-IFRA has published the findings of its unprecedented fact-finding mission in the UK after a year in which the government attempted to force a new regulator upon the press, and stands accused of partaking in mass state surveillance.

“War” against Press Freedom escalates as Operation Ukraine continues

There is a “war on press freedom” in Russia which has escalated dramatically since the commencement of ‘Operation Ukraine’, according to prominent Russian investigative journalist and Chair of the International Press Institute Galina Sidorova. William Pimlott reports.

Turkey passes Internet censorship law

Turkish President Abdullah Gül has approved new legislation that will increase the government’s already tight control over Internet usage.