Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

Media and politicians were quick to frame the violence as young Muslims “hunting” Jews, while totally ignoring anti-Palestinian provocation and attacks carried out by Israeli football fans.

Signatory organisations, IFEX among them, stress that the draft implementation act does not provide sufficient safeguards to protect journalists from SLAPP cases, and therefore call for stronger and more effective measures.

The three press freedom groups have investigated the case since 2020, which showed damning evidence of the former governor in the journalist’s murder.

The wanted official had been in hiding despite an arrest warrant issued against him in 2023.

Given the current electoral situation in Venezuela, the undersigned international organizations and regional networks defending freedom of the press and expression express their concern about the attacks against national and international journalists who are documenting the events happening in the country, as well as activists, demonstrators, and the general population. We urge the Venezuelan authorities to fulfill their obligation to guarantee and protect the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful association, as well as to guarantee the safety of journalists working in the country.

The Court convicted the two men who conducted the murder to 28 years in prison and the middleman – dubbed by the Prosecution as the ‘homicide broker’ – to 26 years.

“It is crucial for future European Parliamentarians to prioritise a pluralistic media landscape, ensure the safety of journalists, and reverse the downward trend of press freedom in the EU” – Free Press Unlimited

IFEX joins the members of the Media Freedom Rapid Response and other organisations in expressing deep alarm about the Foreign Influence Bill and the sudden rise in violence and other restrictions against Georgia’s journalists reporting on the public protests against the Bill.