Press Freedom

A young girl Internally displaced people (IDP) stands by her shelter, in Kaya on October 14, 2020. (Photo by Olympia de…
Press Freedom

With Media Blocked, Burkina Faso's Displaced Denied a Voice, Journalists Say

Ryan Law, second from right, Apple Daily's chief editor, is arrested by police officers in Hong Kong, June 17, 2021.
Press Freedom

Hong Kong Police Raid Apple Daily; Arrests Made Under National Security Law

A screenshot shows the large notice independent news website Meduza has to display under Russia's foreign agent media law. The notice reads: This material was created and (or) disseminated by foreign media, which performs the function of a foreign agent.
Press Freedom

Russia Using Foreign Agent Law to Attack Journalism, Media Say

Managing editor for Frontier Myanmar Danny Fenster is pictured in this undated handout obtained May 25, 2021. The 37-year-old…
Press Freedom

Detained American Journalist Appears in Myanmar Special Court

World Watch

Police officers escort Cheung Kim-hung, right, CEO and Executive Director of Next Digital Ltd at Apple Daily headquarters in…
East Asia Pacific
Court Denies Bail for Hong Kong Pro-democracy Media Executives
Authorities deploy a sweeping security law to target the newspaper
AFP logo
By AFP
Sat, 06/19/2021 - 04:06 AM
FILE - In this May 23, 2021, file photo, a Ryanair jet that carried opposition figure Raman Pratasevich was diverted to Minsk,…
Europe
EU to Hit Key Belarus Sectors After Plane Diversion
Ministers meeting in Luxembourg are set to discuss broad-ranging measures designed to hit the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko 'in the wallet', a European diplomat told AFP
AFP logo
By AFP
Fri, 06/18/2021 - 08:59 AM
A young girl Internally displaced people (IDP) stands by her shelter, in Kaya on October 14, 2020. (Photo by Olympia de…
Press Freedom
With Media Blocked, Burkina Faso's Displaced Denied a Voice, Journalists Say
Media's crucial role in reporting on human rights is stymied as rights experts criticize Burkina Faso for blocking journalists from displacement camps
Henry Wilkins
By Henry Wilkins
Thu, 06/17/2021 - 06:39 PM
Managing editor for Frontier Myanmar Danny Fenster is pictured in this undated handout obtained May 25, 2021. The 37-year-old…
Press Freedom
Detained American Journalist Appears in Myanmar Special Court
Danny Fenster is accused of fomenting dissent against military government
VOA logo
By VOA News
Thu, 06/17/2021 - 03:58 PM
FILE - Signage is seen on the headquarters building of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), with the United States, RFE/RL and the Czech Republic's flags fluttering in the foreground, in Prague. (Jan Rambousek - RFE/RL)
Press Freedom
At Summit With Putin, Biden Raises RFE/RL's 'Foreign Agent' Designation 
US accuses Russia of attempting to drive RFE/RL out of country by listing it as a 'foreign agent' media organization and imposing fines against it for failing to comply with requirements
Robert Coalson
By Robert Coalson
Thu, 06/17/2021 - 11:23 AM
Ryan Law, second from right, Apple Daily's chief editor, is arrested by police officers in Hong Kong, June 17, 2021.
Press Freedom
Hong Kong Police Raid Apple Daily; Arrests Made Under National Security Law
Pro-democracy figures call raid a blow to media freedom, but lawmaker says outlet was being used as ‘mouthpiece’ to damage Hong Kong, China 
Tommy Walker
By Tommy Walker
Wed, 06/16/2021 - 10:45 PM
Freelance journalist for the New York Times, Jeffery Moyo (C) leaves the Bulawayo prison in Bulawayo on June 16, 2021. - A…
Press Freedom
Zimbabwe Court Grants Bail to New York Freelancer After 3 Weeks in Prison
Journalist — together with a Media Commission official — face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of breaking Zimbabwe's immigration laws
Columbus Mavhunga
By Columbus Mavhunga
Wed, 06/16/2021 - 12:16 PM
Slovak businessman Marian Kocner is escorted by security officers for a public hearing at the Slovak Supreme Court as he and…
Press Freedom
Slovakia Orders Retrial of Businessman Accused of Ordering Jan Kuciak Murder
Slovakia’s Supreme Court says not all evidence was considered when a businessman was acquitted of masterminding 2018 murder of investigative reporter Jan Kuciak
VOA logo
By VOA News
Tue, 06/15/2021 - 06:19 PM
FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, file photo, India's Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, left, and…
South & Central Asia
Indian Government in Standoff with Twitter Over Online Speech
New IT rules and an Indian security police visit to Twitter’s office in New Delhi have led activists to raise concerns about online speech in the nation  
Bilal Hussain
By Bilal Hussain
Tue, 06/15/2021 - 06:02 AM
Belarusian dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich gestures while speaking at a news conference at the National Press Center of…
Europe
Jailed Belarusian Journalist Raman Pratasevich Appears at Press Conference 
Pratasevich claimed he was fine, but some say his appearance was made under duress 
VOA logo
By VOA News
Mon, 06/14/2021 - 02:03 PM
FILE - In this Thursday, May 6, 2021 file photo, a sign for The New York Times hangs above the entrance to its building, in New…
Press Freedom
‘Highly Offensive’ Gag Orders in Media Subpoena Cases, Lawyer Says
Prominent US media outlets say Justice Department imposed gag orders on lawyers, executives while subpoenaing records from national security reporters
Esha Sarai
By Esha Sarai
Sun, 06/13/2021 - 12:21 AM
Anti-coup protesters hold a slogan that reads "Mountains and the main land are united." during a flash mob on Thursday, June 3,…
East Asia Pacific
Reporter’s Notebook: Being a Journalist in Myanmar an Invitation for Danger
With scores of journalists detained, and others forced to flee, Myanmar’s reporters work under constant fear the junta will come for them
VOA logo
By VOA News
Sat, 06/12/2021 - 05:18 AM
Journalist Katerina Borisevich walks out of a prison in Gomel
Press Freedom
Popular News Outlet Took On Lukashenko; Belarus Responded with Arrests, Raids and a Shutdown
Tut.by was one of the most popular online news outlets in Belarus, but its reports on last year's contested elections put it firmly in the president's sights
Default Author Profile
By Tatsiana Zamirovskaya
Sat, 06/12/2021 - 01:45 AM
FILE - In this Thursday, May 6, 2021 file photo, a sign for The New York Times hangs above the entrance to its building, in New…
Press Freedom
Pulitzers Honor Coverage of Pandemic, Floyd Case
New York Times, Star Tribune of Minneapolis and Associated Press are honored
AP logo
By Associated Press
Fri, 06/11/2021 - 02:31 PM
A screenshot shows the large notice independent news website Meduza has to display under Russia's foreign agent media law. The notice reads: This material was created and (or) disseminated by foreign media, which performs the function of a foreign agent.
Press Freedom
Russia Using Foreign Agent Law to Attack Journalism, Media Say
Exorbitant fines, repressive accounting of all personal spending, and labels that sow distrust are part of Russia's 'fight against the spread of ideas,' say those affected by legislation
Danila Galperovich
By Danila Galperovich
Thu, 06/10/2021 - 01:27 PM

Special Reports

FILE - Afghan journalists attend a meeting in the Tolo newsroom, in Kabul, Afghanistan September 7, 2018.
Archive
Can Afghanistan's Free Press Survive?
Assassins are killing Afghan journalists and forcing others to quit. The planned US pullout could make things worse.
Secondary Targets: When You Can’t Punish a Journalist, Family Will Do Just Fine
Extremism Watch
Secondary Targets: When You Can't Punish a Journalist, Family Will Do Just Fine
Journalists who've reported on repressive regimes sometimes have no choice but to flee for their safety. But exile is no shield for loved ones back home.
Turkey Breaking the Silence
Press Freedom
Turkey: Breaking the Silence
How Turkey smothered a free press — and made arresting its journalists a weapon

About this page

Voice of America is committed to press freedom around the world. Many VOA journalists work in countries that restrain free speech and independent journalism. In those countries, local journalists and news media often face threats or other repercussions yet succeed in delivering news and vital information. This page strives to tell their stories.