International Press Institute (IPI)

Mexico was the deadliest country for journalists in 2017 with at least 14 killed, edging out Iraq and Syria, even as the total number who died around the world in connection with their work dropped to its lowest level in a nearly a decade, the International Press Institute (IPI) said.

After a military intervention ended the 37-year rule of autocratic former President Robert Mugabe, journalists and media experts in Zimbabwe say it is still too early to tell whether the political transition will ultimately herald a more open environment for the press.

Although the struggles that remaining independent media face in Russia are nothing new, observers have noted an increase in serious threats and attacks, many of which go unnoticed in the West and even in Moscow. IPI talked about this increase with journalists Nadezhda Azhgikhina and Artem Filatov.

The Hungarian government has built, using public funds, a well-oiled media machine dedicated to producing disinformation for propaganda purposes.

Journalist Zeenat Shahzadi was recently recovered from a kidnapping. Rather than releasing her to her family, the Pakistani government is arbitrarily holding her in custody.

The killing of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in a car bomb has sparked shock and outrage across Europe.

The Jordanian government’s move against the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists is an attempt to stifle criticism and stigmatise independent NGOs, IPI says.

“We’re extremely glad that Kadri Gürsel was released after nearly 11 months, but equally disappointed our other colleagues were not. Monday’s proceedings, with a parade of witnesses offering irrelevant commentary instead of facts, demonstrated again how absurd this case is,” said IPI.