Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Press freedom delegation to Kosovo finds that significant progress has been made in strengthening media freedom. However, journalists still find themselves the targets of SLAPPs and smear campaigns that could increase the risk to their safety.

RSF noted that the Chinese authorities’ policy of visa weaponisation has obstructed journalists from reporting.

By signing the ten undertakings and calling on colleagues to join them, the eight prosecutors are proclaiming their determination to preserve the independence and impartiality of their investigations, to protect journalists and to cooperate with their international counterparts.

“Qatar is clearly seeking to discourage, if not prevent, the foreign media from talking about anything other than football.” – Christophe Deloire, RSF secretary-general.

The petition calls on Hong Kong authorities to #FreeJimmyLai, a 74 year-old press freedom defender who has been detained already for two years on national security-related charges and faces a possible life sentence.

Journalist Steve Wembi was allegedly picked up by members of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s intelligence and his whereabouts remain unknown.

“The world’s biggest fortunes used to buy media outlets, but today’s billionaires want to take over social media. Why do they want to own these platforms? Their takeover plans raise many questions. Are we going to let a new generation of billionaires plant their flag on the Internet without reacting?” – RSF

In addition to being subjected to a wave of arrests, physical attacks and threats, journalists in the Central African Republic face the prospect of legislation being introduced that would criminalise press offences again.