Australia's national security watchdog, INSLM, recommends reforming espionage and foreign interference laws, warning they risk undermining democracy and press freedom. The review proposes new offenses against transnational repression and clearer national security definitions to protect civil liberties.
The New York Times filed a motion to quash Justice Department subpoenas targeting journalists who reported on security concerns with the new Air Force One. This action escalates a court battle over press freedom and the government's ability to compel reporters to reveal confidential sources in a leak investigation.
Turkish journalists and media outlets critical of President Erdogan were denied accreditation for an upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, sparking anger and concern over press freedom. NATO is reportedly in contact with Turkish authorities.
The Guardian's investigation into a US airstrike in Somalia that killed 12 civilians, including 8 children, highlights challenges in reporting on covert conflicts. Lack of press freedom, journalist safety, and US opacity impede accountability.
US Vice President JD Vance criticized Pakistan's press freedom while defending the delayed release of a draft US-Iran agreement. Vance cited cultural differences in press freedom expectations between the US and Pakistan/Qatar as a reason for the delay. The draft agreement includes provisions on military operations, sanctions relief, nuclear program, and economic development.
Paramount refused to air a 30-second ad from the Freedom of the Press Foundation during a UFC broadcast, citing a "conflict of interest." The ad criticized Paramount's leadership, its merger with Warner Bros Discovery, and its perceived appeasement of Donald Trump, linking it to censorship concerns.
Military leaders in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have intensified repression since 2020, using defamation and antiterrorism laws to detain journalists and activists, and shutting down independent media. Critics, including Ulf Laessing and Binta Sidibe-Gascon, highlight the severe curtailment of freedoms and the rise of authoritarianism, with little hope for immediate peace or democratic restoration.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner, originally set for April 25, has been rescheduled to July 24 following an attempted attack on the venue. The suspect, Thomas Cole Allen, was injured along with a security officer during an exchange of gunfire at the security checkpoint.
Japanese journalist Akio Yaita criticized China's expulsion of NYT reporter Vivian Wang, calling it a suppression of press freedom. Yaita, who lived in Beijing for 10 years, shared his experiences of subtle pressure and self-censorship imposed by the Chinese government, highlighting its insecurity and fear of uncontrolled voices.
The article criticizes Australia's media for its "supine" response to Pauline Hanson's One Nation party banning journalists and barring access. It draws parallels to Donald Trump's tactics in the US, highlighting a failure to defend press freedom despite significant electoral gains by One Nation.
Indian PM Narendra Modi's refusal to take questions from journalists in Norway has drawn criticism, highlighting concerns over media freedom in India. A Norwegian journalist's attempt to question an Indian diplomat on human rights also led to deflection and anger.
India's MEA defended press freedom and human rights amid questions during PM Modi's Norway visit, citing the country's scale and complexity and criticizing 'ignorant NGOs'. A Norwegian journalist claimed Modi avoided her question, referencing India's low press freedom ranking.
India's Ministry of External Affairs defended its press freedom and human rights record, attributing misunderstandings to 'ignorant NGOs'. MEA Secretary Sibi George highlighted India's vast media landscape, with 200+ TV channels in Delhi alone, and emphasized constitutional guarantees and women's voting rights since 1947.
India's Ministry of External Affairs criticized the Norwegian press for questioning press freedom, attributing misunderstandings to reports by "ignorant NGOs." MEA Secretary Sibi George highlighted India's vast media landscape and constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights, including women's suffrage.
India condemned a drone strike on the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant as a "dangerous escalation." Separately, New Delhi rebuked Dutch concerns over press freedom and minority rights, citing a "lack of understanding" of India's diversity.
The West has cracked down on RT not because of alleged “disinformation” but to suppress dissenting voices, Dmitry Leontiev has said Read Full Article at RT.com
In occasione della Giornata mondiale della libertà di stampa, Papa Leone XIV ha ricordato il tributo di sangue dei cronisti. Il World Press Freedom Index 2026 certifica il tracollo della libertà di informazione ai minimi da 25 anni: Italia in discesa dalla 49/a alla 56/a posizione, Usa di Trump retrocessi di 7 punti al 64/o posto. Nel 2025 sono stati uccisi 128 giornalisti, 31 per aver cercato la verità.
Hong Kong authorities have condemned attempts by anti-China forces and foreign media to sugarcoat the criminal acts of jailed former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, while defending the city’s press freedom after the release of a global index. Authorities issued a strongly-worded statement in the early hours of Friday, slamming the attempts to slander, smear and attack the city “by releasing a so-called press freedom index”, saying that “such despicable behaviours totally disregarded the rule of...
Hong Kong government has condemned attempts by anti-China forces and foreign media to defend jailed former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying after the city ranked 140th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. Authorities issued a strongly-worded statement slamming attempts to 'slander, smear and attack' the city, saying some media organisations had 'conflated the criminal acts in the Lai Chee-Ying case with freedom of the press'. Reporters Without Borders said a 'draconian national security law' had allowed authorities to imprison Lai, who was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Reporters Without Borders released its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, with Norway continuing its decade-long run at the top. Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia join Norway in the top 10, making the Nordic region the only green (freest) area on the global map. However, for the first time in the index's history, over half of world's countries fall into 'difficult' or 'very serious' categories, with average scores at their lowest in 25 years. The US fell seven spots to 64th place, behind Ukraine, Namibia, and Costa Rica, with RSF citing President Trump's 'systematic weaponisation of state institutions' against journalists.
The World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders has recorded its lowest average score in 25 years, with more than half of 180 countries now in "difficult" or "very serious" categories. The proportion of global population living in countries with "good" press freedom has fallen from 20% in 2002 to less than 1%. The report cites expanding "restrictive legal arsenals," particularly national security laws, and warns journalism is being "increasingly criminalised" with political hostility combining with a difficult business model to "asphyxiate" established media.
Press freedom has reached its lowest point in 25 years, with more than half of world's countries now facing difficult or very serious press freedom situations. The proportion of people living in countries with good press freedom has dropped significantly. The United States and Russia are highlighted for their declining press freedom, while Niger experienced the steepest decline in 2026.
