News

Video: Editor Zaffar Abbas on the dangers of journalism in Pakistan

Zaffar Abbas is Editor of Dawn, Pakistan’s most prestigious English language newspaper. His career includes a 16-year stint for the BBC as one of its Pakistan correspondents.

2013 Golden Pen of Freedom Awarded to Than Htut Aung of Myanmar

2013-06-03. Than Htut Aung, Chairman and CEO of Eleven Media Group in Myanmar, known for its audacious defiance of official censorship and dedication to democratic freedoms, has been awarded the 2013 Golden Pen of Freedom, the annual press freedom prize of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).

President of Burundi approves new media law

President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza has approved the passing of a controversial new press law which, according to Reporters Without Borders “restricts journalists’ ability to do investigative reporting, weakens protection for sources, increases fines and requires all journalists to have a university degree regardless of their work experience.”

Indonesia journalist wins Kate Webb award

The international news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) has awarded the 2013 Kate Webb Prize for frontline journalism to Indonesian investigative reporter Stefanus Teguh Edi Pramono for his searing reportages on the bloody civil war in Syria and his eye-opening investigation into the murky underworld of the Jakarta drug trade.

Journalism can be a deadly profession

At least 15 reporters and other media professionals have been killed in Syria in the past 12 months, as the safety of journalists continues to be of major concern in conflict zones and elsewhere, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers reported in its Global Press Freedom Report.

Why we (still) need foreign correspondents and reporters on the ground, and how to ensure their safety

“If we want to offer high-quality news products, we need high-quality content, and high-quality journalism – and there is no high-quality journalism without reporters on the ground,” said Philippe Massonnet, Global News Director of Agence France-Presse in France.

WAN-IFRA meets with Thai Prime Minister

WAN-IFRA brought a delegation of publishers and editors to meet with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to discuss press freedom issues during the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum.

Special address by Thailand’s Prime Minister

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra opened Tuesday’s Congress encouraging the nearly 1600 media executives to dutifully fulfill their role as watchdogs but to do so responsibly.

A man for his country, a media for a nation

After 50 years of military rule, Myanmar is now undergoing an exceptional period of transition. The generals who seized power in a 1962 coup d’état kept a tight grip on power, crushing dissent, denying opposition and closing the country off from the world. Dramatically, over the past two years the army has stepped back to allow for a transition to civilian government, with elections scheduled for 2015 hopefully signalling a return to genuine democracy.

Myanmar publisher awarded 2013 Golden Pen of Freedom

In accepting the award, Than Htut Aung cited changes in his country, but the struggle for press freedom and democracy continues.