Press Freedom

Nicaraguan police officers take part in a raid at the offices of La Prensa, the only national newspaper, after President Daniel…

Nicaraguan Police Raid Storied Opposition Newspaper

National Police say raid is part of fraud, money laundering probe; action comes day after La Prensa suspended its print edition because government's customs office had again withheld newsprint

By Associated Press

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 09:15 PM

FILE PHOTO: NGOs put up a huge rainbow balloon at Hungary's parliament protesting against anti-LGBT law in Budapest

Europe

Hungarian Booksellers Fear Self-censorship as Decree Curbs Sale of LGBTQ-Themed Books

The government has ordered shops to sell sealed and wrapped all books aimed at under-18s that are viewed as promoting homosexuality or gender change, or which contain 'explicit' depictions of sexuality

By Reuters

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:54 PM

FILE - Maria Ressa takes part in the Women In The World Summit in New York City, April 10, 2019.

East Asia Pacific

Philippine Court Tosses Libel Case Against Journalist Maria Ressa

The plight of Ressa, who was named Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2018 for fighting media intimidation, has raised international concern about the harassment of journalists in the Philippines

By Reuters

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 11:09 AM

Debra Tice, mother of U.S. journalist Austin Tice, who was kidnapped in Syria five years ago, holds a dated portrait of him during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, July 20, 2017.

Press Freedom

Press Groups, Family Urging Biden to Seek Release of Austin Tice from Syria

American journalist was last seen 9 years ago

By VOA News

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 03:34 AM

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, center, who founded local newspaper Apple Daily, is arrested by police officers, Aug. 10, 2020.

Press Freedom

Fears About National Security Law Chill Hong Kong Media

With former colleagues arrested, ex-Apple Daily reporter raises concern about future prospects in Hong Kong

By Tommy Walker

Thu, 08/12/2021 - 03:22 PM

FILE - A general view of a studio of television channel TVN24 is seen in Warsaw, Poland, July 29, 2021.

Europe

Polish Parliament Advances Media Bill US Denounces

Opponents say legislation aims to silence a US-owned news channel critical of the government

By Reuters

Thu, 08/12/2021 - 01:15 PM

Afghan journalists film at the site of a bombing attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 20, 2021. The coordinated killings in…

Press Freedom

As Taliban Advance and Fighting Intensifies, Afghan Media Outlets Close

Over 90 Afghan radio and TV stations have closed as fighting draws near, with some saying it is no longer safe to go out and report

By Roshan Noorzai

Thu, 08/12/2021 - 02:59 AM

Press Freedom

China Historian Yü Ying-shih, Whose Work Was Respected and Banned by Beijing, Dies at 91

Colleagues recall the academic’s scholarly generosity, capacity for friendship and vast knowledge

By Liam Scott

Wed, 08/11/2021 - 11:11 PM

Firemen and local volunteers extinguish a wildfire in Oren, in the holiday region of Mugla, August 6, 2021, as Turkey struggles against its deadliest wildfires in decades.

Press Freedom

Turkey's Media Regulator Fines Broadcasters Over 'Demoralizing' Wildfire Coverage

Media analysts and journalism organizations describe move as a form of censorship and attempt to interfere with editorial independence

By Ezel Sahinkaya

Wed, 08/11/2021 - 05:11 PM

FILE - Debra Tice, mother of U.S. journalist Austin Tice, reacts after a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon, Dec. 4, 2018.

Press Freedom

US Calls On Syria to Free US Journalist Austin Tice

Tice was kidnapped nine years ago while reporting on the uprising against Syrian President al-Assad and his government

By VOA News

Wed, 08/11/2021 - 10:15 AM

People carry Belarusian flags denouncing the regime of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during a rally in support of the country's opposition, in Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 8, 2021.

Europe

Austria Protests Detention of 2 Journalists in Belarus

ORF correspondent Carola Schneider and her camera operator were detained Monday in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, and taken to a police station

By Associated Press

Wed, 08/11/2021 - 09:25 AM

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Press Freedom

'Undesirable' and 'Foreign': How Russia Is Muzzling the Media in an Escalating Crackdown

Some journalists are relocating to other countries to avoid an increasingly hostile environment

By Current Time TV (RFE/RL-VOA)

Tue, 08/10/2021 - 10:41 AM

Reporters Sans Frontiers Secretary General Christophe Deloire holds a picture of detained Belarus blogger Roman Protasevich at…

Press Freedom

A Year Under Attack for Belarusian Media

A 'brutal' year for Belarusian media under intense pressure from the Lukashenko government over coverage of protests and contested presidential election

By Jessica Jerreat

Mon, 08/09/2021 - 05:48 PM

An undated photo from social media purports to show Toofan Omari, station manager of Paktia Ghag radio.

South & Central Asia

Suspected Taliban Kill Afghan Radio Station Manager, Kidnap Journalist, Officials Say

Last month a local rights group reported that at least 30 journalists and media workers have been killed, wounded or abducted by militant groups in Afghanistan so far this year

By Reuters

Mon, 08/09/2021 - 11:11 AM