Media Freedom

Rony Koven, long-time defender of press freedom, dies

Following the passing of Ronald "Rony" Koven, Lord Black Chairman of the CPU Media Trust and Executive Director, Telegraph Media Group said: "Rony was one of the bravest Field Marshalls in the battles to protect press freedom over many decades. "His commitment to free speech and freedom of expression was unrivalled. His tenacity in standing up for the free press - and shaming those who tried to undermine it - was exemplary. We have lost a very fine, and very brave, colleague, and also a dear friend."Read more

Indian television journalist shot dead in Uttar Pradesh

Committee to Protect Journalists The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to thoroughly investigate the shooting death of journalist Hemant Yadav, determine a motive, and bring the perpetrators to justice. The attack follows the killing of another journalist in the state in June. Yadav, 45, was a reporter for the Hindi-language news channel TV 24. He was shot near his home on Saturday night in Chandauli district in Uttar Pradesh. His attackers fired at him from a motorcycle and then fled the scene, according…Read more

Radio Phoenix could have licence revoked over alleged “anti-government” agenda

Media Institute of Southern Africa Zambia's Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Chishimba Kambwili, on October 22, 2015, threatened to revoke the operating licence of Radio Phoenix, the country's oldest private broadcasting station, if it (allegedly) continues to be influenced by the opposition. The minister has warned the owners of Radio Phoenix that an investigation has been instituted in that regard, and if it is found that it is true that the political party is interfering in the running of the station, they [the government] would be left with no option but to revoke…Read more

Concern over media restrictions on Australia’s asylum seeker policy

International Federation of Journalists The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) in raising strong concerns about the media restrictions that surround Australia's asylum seeker policy and its offshore immigration detention centres. The IFJ and MEAA call on the Australian government to end the restrictions on media access and access to information. Since the launch of the government's militarised Operation Sovereign Borders in September 2013, the media's access to detention centres in Australia has been severely restricted, as well as at the two offshore centres…Read more

The British Society of Editors puts freedom of information at top of agenda

Society of Editors The new President of the Society of Editors has put freedom of information at the top of his agenda for the year ahead. Nick Turner, who is poised to take over at the Society’s helm, said the fight to protect the Freedom of Information Act from government reform would be “one of the biggest issues of the year”. It followed the launch of the Society’s ‘Hands Off FOI’ campaign in conjunction with Press Gazette and HoldtheFrontPage yesterday. Mr Turner, digital strategy manager at the CN Group and founder of the…Read more

India’s chilling death toll: Another journalist killed in Uttar Pradesh

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and the National Union of Journalists (India) in strongly condemning the killing of journalist Hemant Kumar Yadav in the Uttar Pradesh state, India, on Saturday, October 3, 2015. The IFJ said this is the sixth murder of journalist in India in 2015 and the third in Uttar Pradesh in 2015 and joins its India affiliates in calling on the government to immediately take steps to improve the alarming security situation for journalists in India. According to reports, the 45-year-old…Read more

Charges against journalist accused of defaming Ugandan president dropped after 5 years

Human Rights Network for Journalists–Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) is delighted that an independent journalist, Timothy Kalyegira Nyakahuuma, has finally regained his freedom after five years of battling with a criminal defamation trial, throughout which he was accused of defaming the president of Uganda. On 30 September 2015, the Grade One Magistrate at City Hall Court, Kampala Moses Nabende, dismissed criminal defamation charges brought against Mr. Kalyegira for failure by the state to adduce evidence in court for the last five years. The magistrate noted that there was “no strong and convincing reason” to continue with…Read more

High Court judge files suit against IFEX member and prominent investigative reporter

Media Foundation For West Africa A High Court judge, Justice Paul Uuter Dery, who has been implicated in a bribery and corruption expose by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has filed a suit at a High Court, citing the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and four journalists for contempt of court. The four others cited in the suit are the investigative journalist, Anas, acting editor and deputy editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Samuel Frimpong and Ernest Addo respectively; and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Starr FM, Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi. The…Read more

Assailants open fire on private news channel’s van

Pakistan Press Foundation The Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) van of Samaa television, a private news channel in Pakistan, was attacked by armed men on Sunday 20 September 2015. The incident occurred in Karachi, the largest city and the country's media center. The attackers who were on a motorcycle fired five to six straight shots at the DSNG van. Police and paramilitary rangers arrived at the scene and collected evidence from the site where empty bullet shells were recovered. The van's rear windscreen was damaged and a tyre was also hit. Fortunately, cameraman…Read more

Ghanaian police attack protestors calling for new voter register

Media Foundation for West Africa The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is shocked at the behaviour of some members of the Ghana Police Service who brutally assault demonstrators on September 16, 2015. The protesters, who were led by members of pressure group, Let My Vote Count Alliance (LMVCA) were demonstrating to demand that Electoral Commission of Ghana compiles a new voters' register, were said to have used unapproved routes. Members of the police force who were on duty to ensure law and order chased, arrested, tear-gassed and whipped some of the demonstrators.…Read more