International Press Institute (IPI)

The U.N. Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists was launched in 2012 to better protect the press and address impunity. Ten years later, it is obvious that not enough has been done. Journalists continue to be killed and impunity remains rampant.

While the recent conviction of two hitmen is welcome, we lament the lack of implementation of the recommendations made by the Public Inquiry into Caruana Galizia’s assassination, and the exclusion of structured public consultation on proposed legal amendments relating to the safety of journalists and SLAPPs.

The law – passed by parliament on 13 October – introduces prison sentences of up to 3 years in prison for ‘disseminating misleading information’. It has been widely condemned as an attempt to silence public criticism and debate ahead of the 2023 elections.

Maria Ressa has 15 days to file a final appeal before the Philippine Supreme Court.

The bill provides a framework for extensive censorship of online information and the criminalisation of journalism, which will enable the government to further subdue and control public debate in the lead up to Turkey’s general elections in 2023.

Free expression groups welcome the European Commission’s initiative to protect press freedom, but call for greater efforts to increase transparency of media ownership, ensure independence of national regulators, and protect journalists from surveillance.

After meeting with a diverse array of stakeholders, a high-level International Press Institute delegation expressed its concern at Mozambique’s deteriorating media freedom environment.

In light of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in 2023, international rights organisations express concern about the state of the remaining independent media outlets and how this latest move will contribute to an already-shrinking civic space in the country.