International Press Institute (IPI)

The International Press Institute is calling for justice amidst the rise in threats against media freedom in Somalia.

IFEX and other signatories stress that this is a severe blow to independent radio broadcasting in Turkey, silencing a platform known for promoting diverse, critical voices and addressing issues of profound public interest.

Of the 11 journalists on trial on charges of “calling for mass riots”, two were handed long prison sentences, two were handed three years of probation, and the rest were found not guilty.

Khashoggi’s murder has become emblematic of a global pattern of impunity for crimes against journalists and the alarming rise of transnational repression.

The risk of increased attacks that the media face is exacerbated by the lack of investigations and prosecution of perpetrators involved in the killing of journalists.

Judges recently emphasised the link between the coordinated defamation campaign targeting the journalist and her public-interest journalism regarding plagiarism committed by high-ranking officials.

The court’s decision to acknowledge the failure of the earlier investigation represents a crucial victory for independent journalism in Romania.

Mumay’s case is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of judicial harassment and censorship targeting Turkey’s independent media. It highlights the urgent need for international attention to protect press freedom and the public’s right to information.