UK Society of Editors celebrates Journalism Matters Week

The media has consistently risen to the challenge of keeping the public informed during the Covid-19 crisis, the Society of Editors (SoE) has said. Writing in support of Journalism Matters week which launches today (5-11 October) Alison Gow, President of the Society and Audience and Content Director North West for Reach plc said that the need for trusted, reliable journalism had never been greater than in recent months. She said: “”This year, when we have been kept apart from each other and so much of what is usual in our lives has been…Read more

Derek Ingram Memorial Service

Following the death earlier this year of renowned Commonwealth journalist Derek Ingram, there will be a memorial service at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AA at 11h30 on Thursday, 8th November,Read more

UK Foreign Secretary announces free speech funding

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has today (Thursday) committed UK support for freedom of expression projects in countries where press freedom is curtailed. Today, on the International Day to end impunity for crimes against journalists, Mr Johnson has committed to spending £1m over the next financial year on projects that will enable journalists and media professionals to promote their own free press and uphold human rights. Funding will be available for press freedom projects in countries where media freedom is under significant pressure. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: Freedom of expression is a…Read more

Tonga wrongful dismissal case will clarify role of public broadcaster

A wrongful dismissal complaint being brought against the government of Tonga by the sacked General Manager of the national broadcaster will help to educate the public and politicians on the independent public-interest role of national broadcasters, says regional media watchdog the Pacific Freedom Forum, PFF. The online network of working Pacific journalists and media practitioners has expressed alarm and concern on increasing threats to media independence in Tonga especially the national broadcaster, the Tonga Broadcasting Corporation. Their fears are that 'inaccurate and highly personal views on the public-service mandate of public broadcasters' aired…Read more

Regional journalists call for job safety for PNG media

Pacific Freedom Forum Pacific journalists say Papua New Guinea media bosses should provide more security and insurance to protect colleagues increasingly under attack. "Journalism is obviously having an impact if attacks are anything to go by," says PFF Co-Chair Monica Miller. "Equally obvious, Papua New Guinea journalists need greater security to protect them against such attacks." STRONG CONCERNS As the regional Article 19 network, PFF is raising strong concerns over the safety conditions for their media colleagues in PNG. The concern comes after two journalists were wounded in a machete attack last week [September 15,…Read more

Indian journalist, magazine face criminal complaint for investigative report

 Indian authorities should shelve a criminal complaint against the weekly Indian magazine Outlook, its leadership, and freelance journalist Neha Dixit, and ensure the safety of the journalist and Outlook's staff, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on August 11th. On August 4, SC Koyal, an assistant solicitor general of the government of India at the Gauhati High Court, and Bijon Mahajan, a spokesman for the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), filed a criminal complaint against the English-language magazine Outlook, its publisher, Indranil Roy, its editor, Krishna Prasad, and Dixit. The complaint alleged that a July…Read more

New Maldives criminal defamation law threatens press freedom

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom should veto a criminal defamation law the parliament passed yesterday, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The legislation threatens to stifle criticism and investigative reporting. According to press reports, the government had promised to put a draft of the law before a multiparty committee for amendments before putting it to a vote. But lawmakers yesterday approved the legislation in a 47-31 vote and referred it to Yameen for ratification. Under the law, individuals convicted of defamation face a fine of up to 2 million rufiya (US$130,000), and…Read more

St. Vincent and the Grenadines draft law would allow prison for defamation online

Lawmakers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines should amend or scrap a draft cybercrime law that would allow for prison sentences of up to two years for defamation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Legislators are expected to consider the draft on Thursday, an opposition politician told CPJ. The most recent draft of the law provides for prison sentences of up to two years for "a person who uses a computer system to unlawfully publish any defamatory matter concerning another person, whether negligently or with intent to defame that other person," Anesia…Read more

Thomson Foundation Launches Search for Best Young Journalist

London, Wednesday, July 20. Entries are invited for the 2016 ‘Young Journalist from the Developing World’ prize sponsored by the Thomson Foundation. Part of the UK Foreign Press Association Awards (FPA), the award  enables journalists aged 30 and under from countries with a Gross National Income (GNI)  per capita of less than $20,000 to enter their work for scrutiny by the Foundation – the world’s longest established international media development organisation – and then the FPA judges. The three finalists will be flown to London, spend two nights in the city and attend…Read more

Government minister punches journalist covering story on corruption

HRNJ-Uganda Engineer Abraham Byandala, a member of parliament for Katikamu North Constituency and currently a minister without portfolio in the Ugandan government, is under fire for assaulting journalist Judith Naluggwaa, who works for the government-owned Bukedde Television. Byandala punched Naluggwaa in the stomach as she covered a corruption-related story at the anti-corruption court in Kampala. Byandala is accused of misusing public funds amounting to 24 billion Uganda Shillings (approximately $7 million USD). The funds had been allocated for the construction of the Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi road when he was the Works and Transport Minister. Byandala appeared at…Read more