International Press Institute (IPI)

New report finds that systemic challenges to press freedom mean that news that reflects poorly on the government does not get reported widely. The report also notes a lack of political will to ensure that journalists can operate safely.

Detained since last year, journalists Han Thar Nyein and Than Htike Aung were convicted in separate trials for violating Section 505a of Myanmar’s penal code, which criminalizes the dissemination of “false news” against the military regime.

Ahead of April’s general election, IPI’s new report finds that the Fidesz government has continued to systematically erode media pluralism, muzzle the independent press and manipulate the market to further entrench a pro-government narrative.

US filmmaker Brent Renaud was killed and photographer Juan Arredondo was wounded when the car they were travelling in came under fire after passing a checkpoint. Initial reports say that the shooters were Russian soldiers.

Amidst the rapidly escalating crackdown in Russia, how are leading journalists navigating a dangerous news landscape? ‘Meduza’ founder Galina Timchenko and deputy editor of ‘Novaya Gazeta’ Kyrill Martynov share their views.

“We call on CoE member states to make available emergency financial support that can be distributed to journalists, journalists’ organisations and media outlets in Ukraine… We ask all concerned governments, as well as international NGOs, to do everything they can to support journalists who will be forced to flee the country and set up reporting bases abroad.”

In times of crisis such as this, the media plays a fundamental role in providing timely and accurate information about developments on the ground. The targeting of news organizations covering the conflict or any attempts by Russian forces to knock out key telecommunications or broadcasting infrastructure in Ukraine would be completely unacceptable.

Between January and December 2021, a total of 626 alerts were documented on the Mapping Media Freedom (MapMF) platform across EU Member States, candidate countries and the United Kingdom – ranging from physical attacks to SLAPP lawsuits and online harassment.