Freedom of the Press

Belsat TV journalists Katerina Bakhvalova aka Andreeva and Daria Chultsova, who were detained in November while reporting on anti-government protests, flash the V-sign from a defendant's cage during their trial in Minsk on February 18, 2021.

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85 Articles
A woman speaks at a podium while others stand around her. One holds a sign that says, "Justice for Shireen."

The Path to Justice for Shireen Abu Akleh Runs Through Washington

The US failure to act on her killing will perpetuate the cycle of impunity and expose more journalists to the risk of injury or death.
Modi (L) and Biden (R) sit next to another in front of American and Indian flags.

Hate Speech from Modi Supporters Belies His Claims of Indian Democracy During US Visit

Comments by his ministers and party leaders reinforce the lamentable record of the government’s abusive and discriminatory policies.
The logo of the NSO Group is shown in black letters against a light background with a phone screen in front.

Spyware Out of the Shadows: The Need for A New International Regulatory Approach

We urgently need a system where the developers of spyware tools are forced either to require their State customers to provide credible guarantees on future human rights compliance,…
Journalists and members of Guatemalan civil society carry a banner reading “Without Journalism There is No Democracy” during a demonstration against the threat to freedom of expression and the criminal prosecution of communicators, outside court in Guatemala City on March 4, 2023. The United States expressed concern on March 2 over Guatemala’s decision to bring legal action against nine journalists from an investigative newspaper, saying the move undermined free speech, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) accused Guatemalan authorities of trying to “intimidate and harass” journalists at the publication who were investigating government corruption. The journalists from the newspaper El Periodico include its founder Jose Ruben Zamora, who had already spent eight months in pre-trial detention on accusations of money laundering and blackmail. (Photo by JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom as a Driver for All Human Rights

Freedom of expression is protected in international law, because, without it, democracy and the rule of law wither away. A free press is a vital aspect.
An image of the episode title with sound waves in the background.

The Just Security Podcast: Is Evan Gershkovich’s Arrest the End of Free Press in Russia?

Evan’s arrest is Russia’s latest attempt to intimidate foreign correspondents reporting in the country. The threats are common tactics.
An image of the episode title with audio waveforms in the background.

The Just Security Podcast: How Should the Press Cover Democracy?

To discuss how the press can better report on diverse communities and cooperate globally we have Erin Carroll and Rebecca Hamilton.
TOPSHOT - An art mural of slain US-Palestinian correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh is pictured at a section of Israel's separation fence between Jerusalem and the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on December 6, 2022. - The United States said today it opposed Al Jazeera taking the killing of Palestinian-American reporter Shireen Abu Akleh to the International Criminal Court, renewing objections to investigations involving Israel. Al Jazeera submitted the case of slain journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to the International Criminal Court, saying the veteran reporter was deliberately killed by Israeli forces. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Shireen Abu Akleh’s Killing Raises Questions about U.S. Security Assistance to Israel

U.S. officials should ensure the Leahy laws are applied consistently to all countries, including Israel.
A photo illustration shows a man using the Indian news media company NDTV application on a mobile phone in New Delhi on August 24, 2022. An Indian billionaire close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trying to buy a broadcaster seen as the last major critical voice on television, stoking fears about media freedom in the world's largest democracy. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

Strengthening Press Freedom: New Media Principles for Commonwealth States

Law ministers from the 56 member countries decide this week whether to support strong protections -- and enforcement to carry them out.
Video camera on tripod in front of US Department of Justice building

New DOJ Regulations Are a Victory for Press Freedom, But More Work Remains

"For the most part, journalists will be able to do their job – central to the functioning of democracy – without fear that the government will have access to their records.…
Torso shot of person in red jacket and PRESS vest, with camera. Shattered glass in foreground.

Regarding Pathways of International Accountability for Violence Against Journalists

Former President of the International Criminal Court (2018-2021) on how international law might be used to combat the "impunity that all too often attends the cycle of violence…
Rows of American flags in front of the U.S. Capitol building.

The News Media’s “Democracy Beats” Won’t Beat Back Autocracy

To protect democracy, the press must do more than punish stories. It needs to collaborate, support unions, litigate, and improve diversity.
A man carries a banner during a demonstration at Ojota in Lagos on June 12, 2021, as Nigerian activists called for nationwide protests over what they criticise as bad governance and insecurity, as well as the recent ban of US social media platform Twitter by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. - Hundreds of protesters gathered on June 12, 2021 in Lagos, a sprawling megapolis of over 20 million people, and police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP) (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images)

What Elon Musk Does Not Get about Twitter and Democracy in Africa

Deferring to local laws to determine the bounds of free speech on Twitter - and Musk has suggested doing - would jeopardize hard-won democratic freedoms in Africa.
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