News

Data shows media freedom is challenged worldwide

2023-04-26. Threats against media are increasing, with methods designed to silence and intimidate the press targeting individual journalists, pressuring editorial independence, and undermining the business operations of news organisations worldwide. 

New: ‘Weaponising the Law’ – first ever global overview of attacks on media freedom identifies eight key threats – amid general impunity

2023-04-24. From defamation to espionage: report draws on 37 media freedom experts, 500 alumni across 106 countries and insights from global research to reveal the very real threats facing independent journalism.

Zimbabwe prioritises safety of journalists

2023-04-06. A week of training and multi-stakeholder conversations in Harare culminated in government commitments to ensure the safety of journalists and recommendations to strengthen dialogue ahead of the upcoming election period.

Release Evan Gershkovich

2023-03-31. The detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, accused of espionage, raises serious concerns for foreign journalists covering Russia from inside the country who were already on high alert following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. 

Media organisations condemn former South African president’s SLAPP suit against political journalist

2023-03-30. The increasing legal intimidation of journalists worldwide is highlighted by WAN-IFRA’s new World Press Trends Outlook. A case before South African courts right now, brought by former President Jacob Zuma against News24 journalist Karyn Maughan, illustrates the efforts those in power will go to to silence and intimidate.

Axel Springer establishes Freedom Foundation

2023-03-29. Axel Springer Group has established a foundation to support freedom, human rights and democracy, continuing a tradition started by its founder.

Ukrainian Media Fund: EUR 887 000 raised, 36 editorial offices and more than 170 journalists funded

2023-03-22. In early March, a convoy with equipment worth almost 250 000 Polish Zloty (Euros 53 000) arrived in Ukraine, loaded with everything needed to ensure that at least 36 local editorial offices can meet publishing deadlines, despite the war. It is only one of the many initiatives rolled out by the Ukrainian Media Fund in the 12 months since the project’s inception.

One year at war

2023-02-23. Ukraine has been at war for one year to the day, and it affects us all. It is a dark anniversary. As an international organisation with a human rights mandate, WAN-IFRA’s duty is to stand in solidarity with our colleagues in distress. Since February 2022, WAN-IFRA and its international members have mobilised to support our Ukrainian colleagues. On this occasion, UMBA, one of WAN-IFRA’s two member associations in Ukraine, takes stock of the aid provided in 2022 and why it is vital to continue our solidarity support.

Helping Ukraine’s women journalists to keep telling their stories

2023-02-14. A year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine, destroying lives and livelihoods. A partnership between the Ukrainian Independent Regional Publishers’ Association (AIRPPU) and WAN-IFRA’s Women in News programme awarded reporting grants to ensure the stories of women in Ukraine and their everyday struggles – and triumphs – continued to be told.

World’s press condemns 8-year sentence for Andrzej Poczobut, calls for his immediate release

2023-02-09. Journalist Andrzej Poczobut was sentenced yesterday to eight years in prison in what observers have denounced as a politically motivated verdict against a long-standing critic.