Category: <span>Media Freedom</span>

Syrian photographer documents destruction by walking tightrope

His absolute independence is what saved him in all the years that he stayed in Raqqa, even during the years that Isis was in charge

Russia: As space for independent media shrinks, journalists find themselves under increasing threats of physical violence

by Kira Tverskaya | 26 Jul 19

This report looks at 175 incidents that Index on Censorship’s Monitoring and Advocating for Media Freedom project classified as threats, limitations or violations of press freedom in Russia between 1 February 2019 and 30 April 2019.

Turkish journalists facing unprecedented surge of physical assaults

by Kira Tverskaya | 25 Jul 19

In Turkey, the government uses national security and terror legislation to censor journalists. Arrests, detentions and trials of media workers are frequent.

In Ukraine, violence is the tool of choice against journalists

by Kira Tverskaya | 23 Jul 19

This report looks at physical assaults that Index on Censorship’s Monitoring and Advocating for Media Freedom project classified as threats, limitations or violations of press freedom in Ukraine between 1 February 2019 and 30 June 2019.

Ursula von der Leyen must ensure media freedom and protection of journalists are priority

by Index on Censorship | 22 Jul 19

Twenty press freedom organisations have written to the new president of the European Commission to urge that media freedom is made a top priority.

Governments must not “cherry pick” media outlets

by Index on Censorship | 10 Jul 19

Index on Censorship condemns the decision by the UK Foreign Office to deny accreditation to Russia’s RT and Sputnik news agencies to attend its media freedom conference.

Project Exile: Reporter escaped Russia after beating, burns

by Connor O'Halloran | 10 Jul 19

Fatima Tlisova didn’t make it easy for the Russian government to get rid of her. As a reporter covering Russia’s fight against Chechen separatists in what was known as the Second Chechen war in the early 2000s, she was kidnapped, beaten and had her fingertips burned with cigarettes by Russian security forces.

Governments must uphold existing global commitments to protect media

by Index on Censorship | 09 Jul 19

States must uphold existing global commitments to protect media but also be willing to speak out publicly when others fail to protect journalists and journalism, Index on Censorship said on Tuesday.

Project Exile: Criticising Kurdish referendum forces journalist to leave Iraq

by Franziska Stadlmayer | 09 Jul 19

Despite Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region’s close ties to the U.S. and billions of dollars in foreign investment, Iraqi Kurdistan is no easy place to be a journalist. Kamal Chomani’s experience is just one example.

Project Exile: Moroccan journalist Hicham Mansouri flees after being stripped and jailed

by Gaelle Fournier | 01 Jul 19

Efforts to prosecute or intimidate journalists are not unusual in Morocco, and as Hicham Mansouri’s story demonstrates, the government of King Mohammed VI can be both cruel and creative in its efforts to silence dissenting voices.