Media freedom declining across Europe, with implications for rule of law

A new report has warned media freedom in the EU is close to “breaking point” in many states amid rising authoritarianism across the continent. In its latest annual report covering 2023, the Berlin-based Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) highlighted widespread threats, intimidation and violence against journalists and attacks on the

Press no longer free in Africa: IPI

There is incessant increase in the number of abuse of media rights on the African continent including deaths of practitioners with DR Congo, Mali, and Zimbabwe, Guinea cited among the countries censuring and flouting the purveyors’ rights to disseminate news without duress. The International Press Institute (IPI), a renowned watchdog, has

UN censures 42 nations for retaliating against human rights activists & journalists

The United Nations has singled out 42 countries (out of 193 member states) for condemnation– virtually blacklisting them– for retaliating against human rights activists and journalists If you cooperate with the United Nations and complain about human rights abuses in your home country, chances are you will find yourself either jailed,

No real democratic society exists without press freedom: Guterres 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said they honour the essential work of the media in speaking truth to power, exposing lies, and building strong, resilient institutions and societies.   "We call on governments, media organizations and technology companies everywhere to support these crucial efforts," he said in a message marking the

Media freedom under siege…women face the blunt globally

Media freedom remains threatened globally spurred by multiple arbitrary and restrictive factors with women identified as grossly disproportionate because of their sexual orientation, ethnicity and gender identity, a watchdog has observed. Media freedom, espoused by practitioners globally as part of their democratic right as fourth estate continues  sinking to its lowest

Zambian journalists seek self regulation

After years of seeking press freedom, the media in Zambia wants to self regulate,  a yardstick to enhancing professionalism after years of relentless search for autonomy. In an effort to champion ‘Access To Information’ (ATI) and  promote media freedom for both private and state-owned media houses since early 2000,   the media

Journalism for democracy caught between bullets and censorship in Latin America

The murder of journalists and changing forms of censorship show that freedom of expression and information are still under siege in Latin America, particularly in the countries with the greatest social upheaval and political polarisation. Journalism “maintains a central role in the work for democracy in the region, although it suffers