International Press Institute (IPI)

Since Prime Minister Janez Janša returned to power in March 2020, the ruling SDS party has embarked on a multi-pronged campaign to reshape the media landscape in favour of a pro-government narrative, renewing tactics successful during previous administrations and forging ahead with new forms of pressure.

IFEX is among 16 human rights and freedom of expression organisations calling on the European Council to strengthen its demands on Turkey to end the backsliding on human rights and freedom of expression.

500 Hong Kong police officers raided the office of “Apple Daily”, a publication owned by Jimmy Lai who is in prison for his role in democracy protests. Five editors were arrested. Media groups said the raid and arrests “are designed to create a chilling effect and intimidate journalists and media in Hong Kong.”

Allegations have recently been made by a mob leader in connection with the murders of investigative journalists Uğur Mumcu and Kutlu Adalı, killed in Turkey and Northern Cyprus in 1993 and 1996, respectively.

Mizzima Media Group editor-in-chief Soe Myint and freelance journalist Thin Lei Win discussed the state of media freedom in Myanmar during a press briefing.

“Though the liberalization of the media landscape and an increase in media pluralism has meant reporting on some sensitive topics such as forced labour or graft is now permitted, any form of investigative or critical journalism directed at the authorities is still met with [an] authoritarian response.”

The murder bears all the signs of a targeted assassination. Press groups have called on the authorities to establish whether the attack was linked to Karaivaz’s work.

With the conclusion of the 13th Party Congress, watchdog groups foresee continued or worsened suppression of press freedom in Vietnam.