Jun 22 Watch 6:08 Journalist Maria Ressa on an ‘ominous’ global pattern of threats against news media On June 15th, a court in the Philippines convicted one of the country’s most prominent journalists, Maria Ressa, of cyberlibel. Advocates for press freedom quickly called the trial unfair, arguing it is part of a larger crackdown by Filipino President… Continue watching
Jun 16 U.S. offers muted concern over press freedom after journalists convicted in Philippines By Matthew Lee, Associated Press A one-sentence State Department statement titled “On Press Freedom in the Philippines” and released on Tuesday nearly 48 hours after a Manila court pronounced the convictions may raise new questions about the U.S. commitment to supporting press freedom abroad. Continue reading
Jun 15 Watch 4:21 Paul Whelan and Maria Ressa, Americans held abroad, convicted in controversial trials By Nick Schifrin, Layla Quran Two Americans held overseas have been convicted in controversial court cases. In Russia, former Marine Paul Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison after a trial the U.S. ambassador to Russia called “a mockery of justice.” In the Philippines,… Continue watching
Jun 15 Philippine journalist convicted of libel and sentenced to 6 years By Jim Gomez, Aaron Favila, Associated Press An award-winning journalist critical of the Philippine president was convicted of libel and sentenced to jail Monday in a decision called a major blow to press freedom in an Asian bastion of democracy. Continue reading
Feb 06 Brazil judge rejects hacking accusation against journalist Glenn Greenwald By Mauricio Savarese, David Biller, Associated Press A judge in Brazil has dismissed accusations that U.S. journalist Glenn Greenwald was involved in hacking phones of officials, following weeks of criticism that his prosecution would infringe on constitutional protections for the press. Continue reading
Feb 03 After NPR dust-up, Pompeo defends press freedom abroad By Matthew Lee, Associated Press In Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan over the weekend and again on Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raised human rights issues, including freedom of the press, with his interlocutors and denied any double-standard was at play. Continue reading
Jan 22 Indonesia detains American journalist over visa regulations By Niniek Karmini, Associated Press An American journalist is facing up to five years in an Indonesian jail and a fine on charges of violating immigration regulations. Philip Jacobson of California is accused of conducting journalistic activities not permitted by his business visa. Continue reading
Jun 19 Watch 7:01 Khashoggi’s brutal murder was a ‘state killing,’ special rapporteur says The brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey's Saudi consulate last October changed Saudi Arabia’s global image and tainted its relationship with the U.S. Now, a United Nations panel has released a report detailing how Khashoggi was killed and… Continue watching
Sep 16 Myanmar protesters call for release of two jailed journalists By Michael D. Regan Journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were each sentenced to 7 years in prison in Myanmar earlier this month, verdicts that received immediate condemnation from the international community. Continue reading
Mar 11 ‘Fake news’ smear takes hold among politicians at all levels By Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press It's become ubiquitous as a signal to a politician's supporters to ignore legitimate reporting and hard questions, as a smear of the beleaguered and dwindling local press corps, and as a way for conservatives to push back against what they… Continue reading