International Press Institute (IPI)

Articles by International Press Institute (IPI)

A commemoration marking the 27th anniversary of the killing of investigative journalist Uğur Mumcu, in Ankara, Turkey, 24 January 2020, Altan Gocher/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

International groups call on Turkey to investigate new allegations related to journalists’ unsolved murders

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.

Journalists take pictures and video footage during a flash mob protest against the military coup, in central Yangon, Myanmar, 6 May 2021. Myat Thu Kyaw/NurPhoto via Getty Images

‘Myanmar’s press braves fear to report the news’

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.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev greets the audience at an official celebration marking the Newroz festival, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 21 March 2021, Presidency of Uzbekistan / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Uzbekistan: Journalists still face threats and intimidation despite recent positive reforms

“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.”

Flowers are placed at the site where journalist Giorgos Karaivaz was murdered in Alimos, on the southern coast of Attica, Greece, 9 April 2021, Dimitris Lampropoulos/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Greek crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz shot dead in Athens

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.

Delegates arrive to attend the closing ceremony of the Communist Party of Vietnam 13th National Congress, at the National Convention Centre, Hanoi, 1 February 2021, NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images

Vietnam: Journalists and media watchdogs fear increased persecution

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

Turkey's President Erdoğan gestures as he joins a video conference call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, in Brussels, Belgium, 19 March 2021, STEPHANIE LECOCQ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Human rights groups call on EU leaders to prioritise fundamental rights ahead of Turkey visit

EU leaders should send a strong, public message that improved relations, economic or otherwise, will be tied to substantial improvement in Turkey’s domestic human rights record.

Pigeons flying outside the courthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, 11 December 2019, OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey: Media freedom groups call for justice for recently murdered radio presenter Hazim Özsu

The suspected murderer was a long-time listener to Hazım Özsu’s show; after being arrested, he reportedly said that he had killed the radio presenter because he disliked some of his remarks on the radio.

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša (L) speaking with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (R), during the second day of an EU Chief of State Summit, Brussels, Belgium, 2 October 2020, Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

Slovenia: Rights groups raise concerns about threat to press freedom

“We believe the repeated denigration of journalists, combined with the ruling party’s attempts to exert greater control over the country’s public service media, are creating an increasingly hostile climate for critical reporting which serves a fundamental role of holding the government to account.”