Publish Asia 2014 kicks-off in Hong Kong amid press freedom concerns

Hong Kong chief executive says the commitment to having an “unfettered” media is a priority.

One Man and His Shed

2014-04.23. I met the-then 84 year-old U Win Tin at the end of May 2013, having been sent on a special mission to Myanmar to deliver WAN-IFRA’s Golden Pen of Freedom – a prize he’d won twelve years previously, but never had the opportunity to collect. At the time of being named WAN-IFRA’s press freedom hero along with fellow journalist San San Nweh, Win Tin was a little over half way through a 20-year jail sentence.

Turning the page on hate speech in Rwanda

“This is why we’re turning the page on hate speech in Africa and we want to ensure the role of media and journalists in saying never again.” A two day conference – Turning the Page of Hate Media Dialogue – has been staged in Rwanda to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi. WAN-IFRA’s Alison Meston reports from Kigali.

Thousands in Moscow march against the Crimean media crisis towards a “Putin-free Russia”

Thousands of participants gathered in the centre of Moscow yesterday to take part in the “March of Truth”, dedicated to freedom of speech and journalistic independence. The official theme of the event was the defence of the integrity of mass-media.

‘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.