Critical television journalist shot dead in India

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the National Union of Journalists (India) in deploring the murder of a television journalist in Chatra of Jharkhand state in India on Thursday, May 12, 2016. The IFJ demands urgent action from the authorities to find those responsible and bring them to justice. Indradev Yadav, also known as Akhilesh Pratap Yadav, was shot dead by unidentified people near his home while he was on his motorcycle. Yadav, 35, was a local correspondent for Taaza TV, a Hindi news channel based in Kolkota. The assailants fired…Read more

Social media blocked in Uganda as President Museveni sworn in for fifth term

Human Rights Network for Journalists - Uganda The government switched off social media platforms in Uganda ahead of the swearing in of President Yoweri Museveni, after the 18 February 2016 disputed elections, which saw the incumbent – who has been in power since 1986 – win against seven other contenders. This is the second time social media platforms are being switched off. A message circulating reportedly from the telephone service providers to their subscribers quotes a directive from the communications regulator, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to switch off all social media platforms…Read more

Nigerian journalist arrested for news report

Committee to Protect Journalists Nigerian authorities should drop all criminal charges against journalist Jacob Onjewu Dickson and release him without delay, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Dickson has been held in pre-trial detention on incitement charges since Friday. Police invited Dickson, a reporter for the news website Authentic News Daily, to the Kaduna State Police station on Thursday to discuss an April 27, 2016, news report Dickson wrote that cited witnesses as saying youths had pelted the state governor with rocks as he tried to broker a peace between residents of two adjacent neighborhoods.…Read more

The Windhoek Declaration, 25 years on: What’s changed?

This statement was originally published on whk25.misa.org  On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2016, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), salutes all the champions of media freedom and freedom of expression across the world who have assumed the risks associated with such an effort. We wish to pay our deepest respects to all journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty; our thoughts go out their families, friends and colleagues who will miss them for the rest of their lives. We also extend our prayers and solidarity to…Read more

Well-known activist, editor of LBGTI magazine, murdered

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) in condemning the murder of the editor of the country's first and only LBGTI magazine in Dhaka on April 25,2016. The IFJ demands immediate action from the Bangladeshi government to end the attacks against freedom of expression in Bangladesh. According to reports, Zulhaz Mannan, the editor of Bangla-language LBGTI magazine Roopbaan, a local staffer of USAID and the cousin of former foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni, was hacked to death along with a friend, Tanay Fahim, at his residence in Dhaka's Kalabagan…Read more

Commonwealth to tackle corruption with kitemark and office for justice reform

Commonwealth Secretariat Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC today announced plans to launch a new Commonwealth ‘kitemark’ against corruption, alongside a new Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform to help countries enhance policy-making and legislation. Addressing a conference of High Commissioners and judges in London on Monday 18 April, the Secretary-General made clear her determination to help governments and national bodies across the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries to confront corruption in all its forms. “I want to make it clear that I have heard the high priority given by all member states…Read more

Ugandan press freedom group suffers attempted break-in

On 10 April 2016, the premises of HRNJ-Uganda were broken into by unknown assailants. The break-in started at about 4:00PM, when a youthful lady approached the security guard on duty and requested him to open the building to which he complied. Upon querying her, he then offered her a seat just by the guard's booth. They seemed to converse, and later she stepped out of the compound, only to return with some food and shared it with the guard. Moments after consuming the food, the guard passed out. There after some two able…Read more

CPU Media Trust Chairman speaks to Commonwealth Journalists Conference

Speech by Lord Black of Brentwood, Chairman of the Commonwealth Press Union Media Trust, at the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association Conference on “The Future of Journalism in the Digital Age”, London, 11th April 2016 "Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests. It is a real honour to be here this evening and thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to say a few words. As you said, Rita, I am Chairman of the Commonwealth Press Union Media Trust – an organisation which, for more than a hundred years, has sought to preserve, enhance and…Read more

Commonwealth Press Union Media Trust: Astor Award, 2015/6

The Human Rights Network for Journalists of Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has been awarded the Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) Astor Award for its outstanding work in protecting the freedom of journalists in Uganda. The prestigious award is one of the oldest press freedom awards in the world. It was established in honour of longstanding President of the CPU David Astor, and first presented in 1970. This year’s Award was presented by the Chairman of the CPU Media Trust, Lord Black of Brentwood, at a Conference on the future of journalism organised by the Commonwealth Journalists…Read more

Maldives government proposes law to criminalise defamation

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) in strongly criticising the proposed 'Defamation and Freedom of Expression Act' in the Maldives. The IFJ demands immediate withdrawal of the bill and urges the Maldivian government to review it with all stakeholders, including the media and journalists, to ensure it meets international standards. On March 22, 2016, the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives Parliamentary Group leader MP Ahmed Nihan presented the defamation and freedom of expression bill to the Maldives parliament. The draft law prescribes hefty fines of…Read more