World Press Freedom Day

Europe and Central Asia: A free expression round up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Cathal Sheerin, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

The International Press Centre is concerned by the growing number of attacks against journalists, which is a strong indicator of the deteriorating media freedom situation in Nigeria.

The regional chairperson of the Media Institute for Southern Africa, Golden Maunganidze, calls on states to repeal media phobic laws and align legislation to international standards.

Media Rights Agenda has called on Nigeria’s President Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his incoming government to protect media freedoms on paper and in practice.

RSF’s 2023 World Press Freedom Index highlights disinformation as one of the biggest threats to journalism globally.

MEAA urges the Australian government to implement a backlog of reforms related to national security laws, freedom of information, and defamation.

The statement urged the Cambodian government to ensure a free, safe, and secure environment for journalists and news outlets.

The African Commission Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information – Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo – expresses concern over the rise of surveillance on the African continent.

While the World Press Freedom Index’s top five countries for free expression are Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia and Finland, the five worst are Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Iran, Eritrea and North Korea.

“In times of war and global polarization the Western Balkans region is divided along the lines of current polarizing forces. Disinformation campaigns, hate speech, physical attacks, threats, low income, poor economic status, divisions, self-censorship, and job insecurity are the main challenges that the regional independent media are facing” – Metamorphosis

The president should take urgent steps to strengthen protection mechanisms, stop official harassment of journalists who criticize the government, and ensure prosecutors end the near-total impunity for these crimes.

PFF continues to stand with media colleagues around the world and more specifically in the Pacific to observe this year’s theme, “Journalism under digital siege”.

We need to value and support the critical work of journalists countering the mis- and disinformation flooding our communications channels, especially during crises, conflicts, and elections. The good news is that when the media and civil society work together, they create a better information climate – and a healthier civic space – for us all.

Around 26 organizations, press associations, journalists, and civil society groups have organized an activity and released a statement in time for World Press Freedom Day highlighting the campaign for press freedom and the reforms needed to uphold freedom of expression in the country.

With authoritarianism and illiberalism on the rise, democratic governments must lead by example, says IPI on World Press Freedom Day.

IFEX partnered with the International Freedom of Expression Project on an exhibit to spotlight the work being done around the globe to defend freedom of expression, and launch a proposal for a ‘marketplace of ideas’ artist space in downtown Pittsburgh.