Category: Press Freedom

Our weekly roundup of press freedom news, highlighting the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of March 15, 2025.

Three journalists killed in Israel’s renewed attacks on Gaza

At least nine people have been killed and several others wounded in an Israeli drone attack on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, according to a report from Al Jazeera. The attack reportedly targeted a relief team that was accompanied by journalists and photographers. At least three local journalists are among the dead.

According to Al Jazeera, the Palestinian Journalists’ Protection Center said in a statement that “the journalists were documenting humanitarian relief efforts for those affected by Israel’s genocidal war.”

Our weekly roundup of press freedom news, highlighting the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of March 8, 2025.

ICE Leaks: Trump Officials Push For Criminal Charges Against Whistleblowers And Press

National security officials in President Donald Trump’s administration have repeatedly called for a crackdown on the alleged leaks involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout the country. Sam Carliner writes that “immigrants and the press alike have been consistent targets of Trump and the MAGA movement” which makes the push for a legal crackdown on ICE raid leaks a way to rally opposition to both groups at the same time.

Pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil abducted and detained by ICE

Mahmoud Khalil was abducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his Columbia housing. Khalil was detained for his protests against Israel’s genocide in Palestine, despite being a green card holder, therefore entitled to the same legal protections and rights as a U.S. citizen, in a major violation of his First Amendment rights. 

The arrest has caused outrage with critics pointing out to the abuse of immigration law for political policing, in an attempt to undermine the First Amendment

Owner of UC Global which spied on Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy is investigated for falsifying evidence

El Pais reports that the Spanish courts have launched a criminal investigation against accused CIA contractor David Morales, owner of UC Global, for forging official documents. Morales created the documents in an alleged attempt to justify bugging Julian Assange’s meetings with his lawyers and doctors. Forensics reports and officials confirm that the evidence was fabricated.

Our weekly roundup of press freedom news, highlighting the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of March 1, 2025.

IFJ 2024 report on journalists and media staff killed

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has published its 34th annual report on journalists and media staff killed. The report documents the deaths of 122 media professionals across the world.

Israel’s impunity in targeting reporters has made Palestine one of the most dangerous countries in the history of modern journalism, 77 deaths were due to the war in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon, 22 journalists were killed in Asia-Pacific, ten in Africa, nine in the Americas, and four in Europe. 

Israel is still not allowing international journalists in Gaza

After the first stage of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came to a close, Israel is still not allowing international journalists to enter Gaza, reports Columbia Journalism Review. Notwithstanding the commitment of local journalists, who continue reporting from Gaza despite incredible risks, “the fact that international reporters have not been allowed into Gaza has hindered the press’s ability to effectively communicate the devastation of the war.”

Our weekly roundup of press freedom news, highlighting the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of February 22, 2025.

Article 19: Stop attacks on journalists and media freedom in the West Bank

ARTICLE 19 has condemned Israel’s escalating press freedom violations in the West Bank and called on Israel to immediately end its attacks on journalists and protect press freedom. 

“Palestinian journalists continue to face increasing restrictions, arbitrary detentions, and physical attacks, particularly in recent weeks, as Israel’s military operations in the West Bank continue and the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile.”

Ukrainian journalists killed by Russian drone attack

Tetiana Kulyk, a Ukrainian journalist and member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), was killed in a Russian drone attack that hit her home in the Kyiv region.

The International and the European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) condemned the killing called for an investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

This is the latest installment of our press freedom round-up, recapping the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of February 15, 2025.

CIA wins the Dismissal of a Lawsuit Against Alleged Spying On Assange Visitors

A United States judge dismissed a lawsuit against the CIA and former CIA director Mike Pompeo for their alleged role in spying on American attorneys and journalists who visited WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Judge John Koeltl of the Southern District of New York ruled that “the subject matter of this litigation is subject to the state secrets privilege in its entirety”, and that any answer to these allegations would “reveal privileged information.” 

The lawsuit was brought in 2022 by four Americans who alleged that the information from their devices, which they were required to surrender during their visits to Julian Assange, was copied and shared with CIA. The lawsuit was allowed to proceed in December 2023, upon which, in April 2024, the CIA Director William Burns declared that the case must be dismissed or there could be “serious” and “exceptionally grave” damage to the “national security of the United States.”

SPJ backs AP reporters amid Trump administration’s efforts to stifle independent press

After the White House barred AP reporters from covering two White House events, The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) issued a statement of support to the Associated Press in its First Amendment right to cover the White House.

The AP reporters were banned from the two separate events because the AP Stylebook did not change its guidance to reflect President Trump’s order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

“The two AP reporters banned from the White House Tuesday evening have no control over the AP Stylebook, but even if they did, it is misguided and a violation of the First Amendment to dictate who has access based on whether you like what they write or report,” said SPJ National President Emily Bloch.

This is the latest installment of our press freedom round-up, recapping the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of February 8, 2025.

IFJ and NUJ concerned about the detention of Richard Medhurst in Austria

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and National Union of Journalists (NUJ) issued a statement expressing their deep concern regarding detention of Richard Medhurst in Austria on 3 February, calling it a “worrying development” and “an escalation from Medhurst’s detention in the UK in 2024 under the UK’s anti-terrorism legislation”.

“The arrest of Richard Medhurst in Austria is an alarming and unacceptable attack on press freedom. This detention not only violates Medhurst’s fundamental rights as a journalist but also undermines the core principles of democracy”, said IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger.

CPJ: 2024 deadliest year on record for journalists

In its 2024 annual report on journalists killed, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) finds that at least 124 journalists across 18 countries were killed worldwide in 2024, more than in any other year since 1992, when CPJ began keeping records.

At least 85 journalists, nearly 70% of the total number of fatalities, were killed by Israeli military during its war on Gaza.

UN Special Rapporteurs Write to UK Over Abuse of Terrorism Act Against Journalists and Activists

Four UN Special Rapporteurs have written jointly to the UK government demanding explanation of its inappropriate persecution of journalists and political activists under the Terrorism Act.

The cases taken up by the United Nations are those of Johanna Ross (Ganyukova), John Laughland, Kit Klarenberg, Craig Murray, Richard Barnard and Richard Medhurst.

According to the report from Craig Murray, the letter was sent to the UK government on December 4, and since the government didn’t responded within 60 days, it has now been published.

Al Jazeera journalist Fadi al-Wahidi evacuated from Gaza

Journalist Fadi al-Wahidi, who was seriously wounded by Israeli fire on 9 October 2024, was evacuated from Gaza to Cairo.

Reporters without borders (RSF) has welcomed the evacuation of al-Wahidi and reiterated their call for the protection of reporters and for combatting impunity for crimes committed against them.

This is the latest installment of our press freedom round-up, recapping the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of February 1, 2025.

Journalist Richard Medhurst detained and threatened by Austrian police

In a video statement, British journalist Richard Medhurst has described how Austrian police and intelligence services had detained him, raided his house, took all his devices, and threatened him with revoking his residency permit and a 10-year prison sentence, implying that he is a Hamas operative.

Medhurst was arrested last year in August, at Heathrow Airport, when the police detained him for almost 24 hours, and seized all his devices. He is the first reporter to be arrested and under investigation in relation to the Section 12 of the UK Terrorism Act 2000.

Groups demand U.S. attorney for D.C. respect First Amendment

A coalition of civil society groups signed a letter demanding interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia to clarify public statements suggesting he would use his public office to threaten critics of Elon Musk and the new Department of Government Efficiency, and to reaffirm his duty to uphold the First Amendment during any DOGE-related investigations.

The letter comes after Wired reported the names of DOGE employees, and a U.S. attorney for D.C. threatened them with prosecution. The letter stresses that the intimidation of journalists and people exercising their First Amendment rights, especially on behalf of public officials, have no place in a democracy.

Free Expression Groups Tell Senate Committee to Push Patel on Press Freedom

Press freedom and free expression groups have urged the Senate to ask President Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, Kashyap Pramod Patel, to clarify his positions on press freedom and focus the hearing on Mr. Patel’s past comments about how he is “going to come after” journalists.

This is the latest installment of our press freedom round-up, recapping the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of January 25, 2025.

FPF: Senate should not confirm Patel for FBI director

Freedom of the Press Foundation issued a statement opposing Senate’s confirmation of Trump’s nominee for FBI director Kash Patel:

“Patel has threatened to turn the government into a weapon of revenge against opponents of President Donald Trump, including journalists.”

Rights groups urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to press Patel on his past comments on seeking out leakers in the government and the media and their ramifications for press freedom.

Author and journalist Ali Abunimah arrested in Switzarland

Palestinian-American author and journalist, and the executive director of Electronic Intifada, Ali Abunimah was arrested by Swiss police in Zurich on January 25, where he was to hold a speaking tour.

The arrest was condemned by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, UN experts Irene Khan and Francesca Albanese, Article 19 and others.

Switzerland deported Abunimah after 2 nights and 3 days in jail.

Following the deportation Abunimah wrote:

“I was abducted… handcuffed, forced into an unmarked car and sped straight to the prison. My ‘crime’? Being a journalist who speaks up for Palestine and against Israel’s genocide and settler-colonial savagery and those who aid and abet it.”

Charges dropped against Portland journalist Alissa Azar

Trespass charges against journalist Alissa Azar, who was arrested in May 2024 while filming a student-led pro-Palestine protest at Oregon’s Portland State University, have been dropped by the Multnomah County District Attorney.

This is the latest installment of our press freedom round-up, recapping the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of January 18, 2025.

Portland journalist to go to trial over coverage of a pro-Palestine protest

Independent journalist Alissa Azar, who was arrested in May 2024 while filming a student-led pro-Palestine protest at Oregon’s Portland State University, will go to trial on trespassing charges on January 27 in Multnomah County. Prism reports that Azar may face harsher sentencing due to a felony conviction in a separate case, when the state of Oregon called into question Azar’s role as a journalist and argued that she is not a reporter, but rather an antifa leader.

“Azar’s case has brought to light a complex history of harassment, violence, and abuse of power by local law enforcement and reveals a landmark legal condemnation against social media journalists and press freedom in the U.S. Her identities as a self-taught movement journalist, Arab, and antifascist woman puts her at the speartip of state repression”

Jen Byers, Prism

Sign Defending Rights & Dissent’s petition urging the Multnomah County DA to immediately drop the charges against Azar.

Three journalists released by Israel as part of ceasefire deal

Three journalists & members of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate – Rula Hassanein, Bushra Al-Tawil and Ashwaq Awad – are among the first 90 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of ceasefire deal.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomed their release and urged Israel to stop persecuting Palestinian journalists, and to immediately and unconditionally release them all.

CPJ: Israel catapults to second-place among top jailers of journalists

Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ) published its 2024 annual prison census documenting more than 100 new jailings of journalists around the world. Next to countries that routinely rank among the top jailers of journalists – China, Myanmar, Belarus and Russia – Israel made second-place despite rarely appearing in CPJ’s annual prison census before the start of its war on Gaza.

Article 19: ceasefire should bring an end to the persistent attacks on freedom of expression

Article 19 has welcomed the the agreed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and reiterated their demand for justice and accountability for the human rights and humanitarian law violations committed during this conflict.

“The ceasefire must lead to a robust, thorough investigation into all crimes against civilians, including journalists. Israel must grant journalists and the media access to all areas of Palestinian territory, including Gaza.”

Article 19 statement

Former CIA analyst pleads guilty to 2 counts under the Espionage Act

Former CIA analyst Asif Rahman pled guilty to 2 counts under the Espionage Act for leaking information on a planned Israeli attack on Iran. According to AP, prosecutors claim he “abused his access to top-secret information by accessing, removing and printing out two documents related to Israel and a planned attack on Iran” and shared them with people not authorized to receive them. He’s expected to be sentenced to 6.5 years in prison.

Journalists’ right to source confidentiality under threat in France

Following the publication of his article questioning the practices of the Parisian law firm Ziegler, journalist Philippe Miller was arrested in a Parisian restaurant while meeting with an alleged source, and had his equipment seized by the French police “during a heavy-handed and disproportionate intervention”, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

RSF condemned the arrest, as well as the seizure and examination of Miller’s equipment stating that “Philippe Miller’s case sets a worrying precedent for source confidentiality in France. This case, like Ariane Lavrilleux’s, underscores the urgent need to reform the 2010 law which does not sufficiently protect one of the cornerstones of press freedom.”

This is the latest installment of our press freedom round-up, recapping the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of January 11, 2025.

State Department removes accredited journalists from press briefing

Journalists Sam Husseini and Max Blumenthal were removed from Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s final press conference after insisting Blinken answers questions regarding Israel’s war on Gaza.

Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) has condemned the State Department’s action: “Days before the inauguration of an anti-press President, the Biden administration handed Trump a gift by normalizing punishing journalists for asking questions officials don’t like.”

Last chance for Biden to pardon Assange

In the final days of Biden presidency, 18 press freedom and civil liberties organizations have cosigned a letter urging President Biden to pardon Julian Assange before he leaves office and a group of Australian leaders, including several federal MPs, has called on the outgoing US President to grant a full and unconditional pardon to Julian Assange.

Israel and Hamas agree on ceasefire; RSF calls for journalists access and an end to impunity for Israel’s war crimes

Journalist Anas Al-Sharif takes off his body armour live on air as he announces a ceasefire deal has been agreed between Israel and Hamas. Along with his fellow reporters, more than 150 of whom have lost their lives, Al-Sharif has reported for 15 months on the genocide of his people in Gaza.

In the light of the ceasefire agreement, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for international journalists to be “given independent access to the besieged territory as quickly as possible” and for an end to impunity for Israel’s war crimes.

Courage thanks the incredibly brave journalists of Palestine, who continued to cover Israel’s assault on Gaza in unimaginable conditions. We honor and remember so many of these reporters who were senselessly killed by the IDF

Israel blocks medical evacuation of Al Jazeera cameraman

Israel is blocking medical evacuation of Al Jazeera camerman Fadi al-Wahidi, shot on assignment on 9 October at the Jabaliya refugee camp, despite his deteriorating condition.

Free press orgs, MEAA and RSF continues to condemn the targeting of journalists and media workers in Gaza and call for the immediate evacuation of al-Wahidi to a safe medical facility.

Incarcerated journalist in Texas prison struggles under ever-harsher conditions

Journalist Jeremy Busby, incarcerated in a Texas prison for over 25 years and held in solitary confinement conditions, says prison staff are inappropriately denying him access to members of the press and refusing to restore his phone privileges, reports The Dissenter. Busby claims that staff has twice destroyed all of his personal property, including legal paperwork to retaliate for his writing about systemic problems in Texas state prisons.