IFEX-exclusive interview with IACHR Special Rapporteur Pedro Vaca Villarreal
At a time when the Americas region is facing critical freedom of expression & information challenges, we’re publishing an exclusive interview with Pedro Vaca, the new Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression at the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR).
During the 45-minute video interview, recorded just a few weeks after Vaca was named to the role, journalist Vanina Berghella asks him about a wide range of issues and priorities for the Americas region — everything from the impact of COVID-19 on the media and the digital divide to gendered attacks on freedom of expression, journalist safety, and the responsibilities of digital platforms at a time when hate speech and misinformation are on the rise.
Featured Articles
PEN America launches its Freedom to Write Index 2020
During 2020, according to data collected for PEN America’s Freedom to Write Index, at least 273 writers, academics, and public intellectuals in 35 countries – in all geographic regions around the world – were in prison or unjustly held in detention in connection with their writing, their work, or related activism.
Myanmar: “I’m scared, but will not surrender…”
Journalists in Myanmar have put their lives at risk to tell the stories of protestors, doctors, nurses and citizens impacted by the military coup, writes Phil Thornton.
Civil society organizations declare their resounding rejection and demand the repeal of the new registration measure for terrorism and other crimes in Venezuela
The NGOs of civil society express our resounding rejection of new Administrative Ruling 001-2021 for the Unified Registry of Obligated Subjects before the National Office Against Organized Crime and Terrorism Financing
RSF finds only 7% of countries offer a good environment for journalism
Of 180 countries evaluated by the 2021 World Press Freedom Index, 73 totally block or seriously impede journalism; in 59 others journalism is “constrained”. The Index also shows a dramatic deterioration in people’s access to information and an increase in obstacles to news coverage.
Bahrain: Prisoners of conscience at imminent risk amidst Covid-19 outbreak
An ongoing outbreak of Covid-19 in Bahrain’s prisons has underscored the urgent need to release all of the country’s political prisoners.
Africa’s handling of COVID-19 marred by abuse of power
The continent’s initially successful response to the pandemic was tainted by denialism, corruption and weaponisation of social media across several countries.
