Press Freedom

World Press Freedom Day 2021

Can Afghanistan's Free Press Survive?

World Watch

Department of Justice Building
USA
Washington Post Says Trump Administration Secretly Obtained Reporters' Records
Trump Justice Department secretly seized the phone records of reporters who covered investigation into ties between Russia and Trump's campaign
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By Associated Press
Sat, 05/08/2021 - 04:00 AM
Targeted Killing in Afghanistan Seen as Reminder of Threat to Journalists  
00:03:26
Press Freedom
Targeted Killing in Afghanistan Seen as Reminder of Threat to Journalists  
A former TOLO NEWS anchor in Afghanistan was gunned down on Thursday, another reminder of the risks journalists face in the country. VOA’s Azizullah Popal, Hikmat Sorosh and Jalal Mirzad has more from Afghanistan in this report narrated by Bezhan Hamdard. Produced by: Bezhan Hamdard 
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By Azizullah Popal
Fri, 05/07/2021 - 05:25 PM
Get to Know the Election Committee Subsectors intro graphics
East Asia Pacific
RTHK Independence Called into Question Over Show Hosted by Hong Kong Leader
New political series by Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam marks further shift in public broadcaster RTHK's output, journalists and analysts say
Tommy Walker
By Tommy Walker
Fri, 05/07/2021 - 01:04 AM
This screen capture from "VOA Our Voices 319: Three Decade Quest for Press Freedom" shows Gwen Lister, who co-chaired a 1991 journalism seminar in Windhoek, Namibia, whose participants produced a declaration that led to World Press Freedom Day.
Press Freedom
Press Freedom Advocates Update Charter to Address New Challenges  
Revised Windhoek Declaration promotes news media’s economic viability, media literacy training, internet companies’ transparency — and journalist safety 
Ndimyake Mwakalyelye 
By Ndimyake Mwakalyelye 
Thu, 05/06/2021 - 10:07 PM
Pakistan’s Female Journalists Take On Big Issues
00:02:31
Press Freedom
Pakistan’s Female Journalists Take On Big Issues
They are pushing back boundaries and showing the importance of including more women’s voices in media
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By Umer Farooq
Thu, 05/06/2021 - 12:53 PM
In this photo taken on January 19, 2021, an Afghan journalist, who fled from her home in central Afghanistan, uses a mobile…
South & Central Asia
Threats to Afghan Media by Warring Sides Spark Outrage  
Renewed assault came as battlefield hostilities between government forces and Taliban have spiked  
Ayaz Gul
By Ayaz Gul
Thu, 05/06/2021 - 09:53 AM
Law enforcement officers pepper spray freelance photographer Tim Evans (L) as he identifies himself a working journalist…
Press Freedom
With Assaults on Press at Protests Increasing, US Journalists Want Better Protections 
With more cases of journalists injured and detained covering US protests, media groups are looking at how to better protect their staff    
Maria Elena Little Endara
By Maria Elena Little Endara
Wed, 05/05/2021 - 07:00 PM
A vendor arranges newspapers featuring front-page news on US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Siliguri…
Press Freedom
India's Media Face Increasing Hostility, Experts Say
Nationalist push in India is adding to pressures for country's media, according to watchdogs and journalists
Bilal Hussain
By Bilal Hussain
Wed, 05/05/2021 - 12:48 PM
Journalist Katerina Borisevich sits inside a defendants' cage during a court hearing in Minsk, Belarus March 2, 2021. A…
Press Freedom
Belarus Media Is Under ‘Wave of Repression’ 
Mass arrests over coverage of protests and contested elections shows limits for media freedom in Belarus, journalists say 
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By Anna Plotnikova
Tue, 05/04/2021 - 02:33 PM
Bao Choy Yuk-Ling, a freelance producer with RTHK, leaves court after she was found her guilty of making false statements to obtain data for a documentary on the police's handling of a mob attack on pro-democracy protesters, in Hong Kong, April 22, 2021.
Press Freedom
In China, Writing About Pandemic, Cultural Heritage Can Get You Arrested
Number of writers imprisoned globally in 2020 increased, with China leading the field, PEN America says
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By Lin Yang
Tue, 05/04/2021 - 01:23 PM
Voice of Myanmar (VOM) editor-in-chief Nay Myo Lin is escorted from his home by police to court in Mandalay on March 31, 2020. …
Press Freedom
Media Arrests Continue as Myanmar Military Steps Up Repression
Myanmar's military detains more than 80 journalists, blocks independent reporting as repression increases after overthrow of civilian government
Jessica Blatt
By Jessica Blatt
Mon, 05/03/2021 - 08:09 PM
FILE PHOTO: PKN Orlen Chief Executive Daniel Obajtek gestures during an interview in Warsaw, Poland, August 5, 2020. Picture…
Press Freedom
Poland's Press Push Back at Government Control
Poland denies claims it is trying to tame critical media, but journalists and European watchdog say independent reporting is under a 'multipronged attack'
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By Anna Zamejc
Mon, 05/03/2021 - 06:38 PM
Paul Murungi, a journalist working with The New Vision newspaper is seen at his desk after he was injured following an attack by security officials, outside the United Nations Human Rights offices while on reporting duty, in Kampala, Uganda.
Press Freedom
Ugandan Journalists Face Physical Danger While Doing Their Jobs
Two journalists say they were beaten last week as they tried to cover protest over power outages
Halima Athumani
By Halima Athumani
Mon, 05/03/2021 - 01:24 PM
Somali journalists in Mogadishu,AFILE - Somali journalists are seen in Mogadishu, July 25, 2019. Somalia July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Feisal Omar - RC2E8E9DHIFB
Press Freedom
Somali Journalists Alarmed Over Spike in Attacks on Media
During past four months, authorities have raided three media houses and arrested some 30 reporters
Mohammed Kahiye
By Mohamed Kahiye
Mon, 05/03/2021 - 12:48 PM
Protesters hold posters in support of the National Unity Government (NUG) during a demonstration against the military coup on …
Press Freedom
Myanmar Journalists ‘Living in Fear’ as Junta Curbs Freedoms
Multiple journalists say the junta has made it dangerous to practice journalism in the country
Radio Free Asia
By Radio Free Asia
Sun, 05/02/2021 - 02:37 AM
Turkey Breaking the Silence
Press Freedom
New VOA Documentary - 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.