Journalism is in crisis, again. The challenges to press freedom are enormous and multi-faceted and they are deepening — in “free” and open societies as well as autocracies. And there are no simple solutions. For individuals and entire media outlets the crisis is existential. Nearly 100 journalists and media workers have been
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The deadliest days for journalists in war zones
The seven- month-long war in Gaza is perhaps the only military conflict in contemporary history which has claimed the lives of over 100 journalists, including targeted killings. As of April 26, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), preliminary investigations have shown at least 97 journalists and media
Alarming rise in journalists killed in conflict zones last year
The Paris-based UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), whose mandate includes promoting the safety of journalists and ensuring press freedom worldwide, has pointed out that 2023 has been a particularly deadly year for journalists who work in conflict zones. Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General, said at least 38 journalists and media
Urgency for a global fund for media & journalism
There have been an array of proposals to sustain journalism around the world– from tax incentives and subsidies to the idea of allocating 1% of governments’ GDP to a drastically increased ODA for independent journalism in the global South. The debate has been intense and rightly so. What is needed is a
86 journalists killed in 2022, reveals UNESCO report
The number of journalists killed worldwide has significantly increased in 2022, after recording a decline over the previous three years, the UN’s cultural body said in a report on Monday. UNESCO reported the deaths of 86 journalists last year, with 19 killed in Mexico alone, followed by 10 in Ukraine and
Nearly 1,700 journalists killed over past 20 years: RSF
Nearly 1,700 journalists have been killed worldwide over the past 20 years, an average of more than 80 a year, according to an analysis published by Reporters Without Borders. The two decades between 2003 and 2022 were "especially deadly decades for those in the service of the right to inform", said
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,
Journalists under threat need safe refuge through special emergency visas
Journalists and media workers are facing “increasing politicization” of their work and threats to their freedom to simply do their jobs, that are “growing by the day”, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, marking World Press Freedom Day, May 2022. “This woman sitting next to me, Maria Ressa, is a Nobel laureate
Unprecedented threats against ‘Right to Protest’ on the rise world-wide
The French writer and philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778), once famously remarked: “I disagree with what you have to say, but I will defend unto death, your right to utter them.” But that political axiom hardly applies to multiple governments in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America—including Greece, UK, Thailand, Hong Kong, India,
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