World Association of News Publishers


Press Freedom

Press Freedom

In countless countries, journalists, editors and publishers are physically attacked, imprisoned, censored, suspended or harassed for their work. WAN-IFRA is committed to defending freedom of expression by promoting a free and independent press around the world.

More Articles

  • 2017-01-05 15:03
    The Indonesian government has used the long-standing conflict in Papua to justify implementing harsh rules in the region, offering limited opportunities and restricted access to journalists. While authorities may withhold information from local Papuan journalists – who are identified by their family name or physical characteristics – foreign journalists have little chance of even accessing the region. Read more ...
  • 2017-01-05 14:32
    Reporting from the Middle East comes with a host of challenges, but those facing media professionals in Palestine are unique due to the state’s relations with neighboring Israel. While imminent danger is a constant threat, the enduring problem of access to certain parts of the surrounding region is a continuing concern, meaning coverage is limited and one-sided, and self-censorship abounds. Read more ...
  • 2016-12-02 00:00
    WAN-IFRA, in conjunction with the FOJO Media Institute, are calling on media worldwide to support stronger protections for women journalists in a text released to mark the 250th anniversary celebrations of Sweden’s ‘Freedom of the Press Act’, the first of its kind in the world. Read more ...
  • 2016-11-30 15:54
    The earthquake that devastated parts of Ecuador on April 16 left nearly 700 dead and more than 27,000 missing, making it the worst natural disaster the country has seen since the 1949 Ambato earthquake. Read more ...
  • 2016-11-29 11:57
    47 human rights organizations have signed a letter asking King Hamad to immediately and unconditionally release imprisoned journalist Faisal Hayyat, and to cease the judicial harassment of all journalists in Bahrain. Read more ...
  • 2016-11-23 16:25
    WAN-IFRA’s Media Freedom Committee, which sees professionals from four world regions tackling the media challenges in their respective areas, is busy boosting its activities for the upcoming year. Here’s a look at what the regional teams have been working on: Read more ...
  • 2016-11-23 16:19
    Singapore hosted WAN-IFRA’s first Media Freedom Programme Asia joint gathering from 7 to 10 November, during which media partners from the Media Freedom and Democracy Programme (supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the Strengthening Media and Society Programme (supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark) met for three days of strategy workshops, peer-mentoring, and networking. Read more ...
  • 2016-11-15 14:17
    WAN-IFRA’s Women in News (WIN) programme, funded by Sida, saw its first Roundtable on October 12, bringing together over a dozen editors-in-chief, managing editors, department heads and media directors from Egyptian media in Cairo. Discussions centered around finding ways to improve female journalists’ status in newsrooms, helping women move up the professional ladder and tackling the wider issue of gender bias in Egypt’s media landscape. Read more ...
  • 2016-11-15 13:01
    Eleven Media Group CEO, Dr Than Htut Aung, and group Editor-in-Chief, Wai Phyo, have been arrested and sent to Insein prison awaiting a court appointment on 25 November following the publication of an article linking a government minister to allegations of corruption. Read more ...
  • 2016-11-04 11:37
    On the 2nd of December 2016, Sweden celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Freedom of the Press Act – the first of its kind in the world, and a precedent to be followed by all democracies. Read more ...

Related Microsites

  • APN
    The Arab Press Network (APN) is a digital network that supports a strong independent press in the Arab world by sharing, distributing and exchanging information between newspaper publishers, editors, journalists and human rights advocates.
  • Declaration of Table Mountain
    WAN-IFRA’s Declaration of Table Mountain is an earnest appeal to all Africans, particularly those in power, to recognise that political and economic progress flourishes in a climate where the press is free and independent of governmental, political or economic control.
  • The Golden Pen of Freedom is WAN-IFRA's annual award recognising individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom.
  • Media employees worldwide face physical violence and persecution of all kinds, whether from public officials, criminals or terrorists. Assaults are daily - and often deadly - for those who challenge governments, report on conflicts or investigate corruption and crime.
  • Media Development
    In its media development work, the WAN-IFRA strategy focuses on bringing a new way of thinking to the sector. WAN-IFRA has become a key player in the field of financial independence and management capacity building, conducting groundbreaking research and developing subsequent media development policies.
  • RAP21
    The African Press Network (RAP21) is a digital network that supports a strong independent press throughout Africa by sharing, distributing and exchanging information between newspaper publishers, editors, journalists and human rights advocates.
  • Mexico City
    WAN-IFRA's activities in Latin America focus in promoting innovation amongst the region's news media industry, in helping media companies lead a successful digital transition and in advocating for a free and independent press.

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Author

Nicole Leiß's picture

Nicole Leiß

Date

2016-08-24 18:30

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Promoted Articles

  • Media Freedom Committees are positioned across the globe to assist WAN-IFRA's partners in fighting challenges to press freedom and help place the media at the heart of society.
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