Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

RSF is dismayed to learn that local news website editor Elchin Ismayilli has joined the long list of journalists held on trumped-up charges in Azerbaijan. At least 12 journalists, bloggers and media workers are now detained in this Caucasian republic.

There is deep concern over the visibly political nature of the current trials and the blatant abuse of the Penal Code and Anti-Terror law against journalists and human rights defenders.

Reporters Without Borders is concerned about death threats against journalists covering massacres by the Kamuina Nsapu rebel militia and by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in the southern province of Kasaï-Central.

Following years of attempts by Poland to restrict human rights and free expression, civil society is asking the EC to invoke an “Article 7 Procedure”.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is concerned to learn that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced that it will no longer accept requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by email as of March 1, 2017. This change in policy could prove to be a new obstacle to government transparency and access to information for one of the most important agencies within the United States government.

After a rocky 10-year relationship between the media and outgoing president Rafael Correa, what can Ecuador’s new leader do to improve free expression in the country?

The current mandate holder, Ms Dunja Mijatović, is due to leave the Office of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media in a month’s time. And yet, to date, there has been no announcement of her successor.

Gunned down journalist, known for his critical views of authorities, was shot dead along with his producer.