Latest Freedom of the press News

US-funded Radio Free Asia closes its Hong Kong bureau over safety concerns under new security law

Mar. 29, 2024 10:49 AM EDT

HONG KONG (AP) — The president of U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia said Friday its Hong Kong bureau has been closed because of safety concerns under a new national security law, deepening worries about the city’s media freedoms. Bay Fang, the president of RFA, said in a statement...

Biden says he's working to secure release of Wall Street Journal reporter held for a year in Russia

Mar. 29, 2024 10:22 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — On the one-year anniversary of the Russian detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, President Joe Biden said the U.S. is working every day to secure his release. “Journalism is not a crime, and Evan went to Russia to do his job as a reporter...

Six Russian journalists have been detained by authorities. They include one who covered Navalny

Mar. 28, 2024 18:24 PM EDT

Authorities in Russia have detained six journalists across the country this month, including a journalist who covered the trials of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny for several years, media freedom organization Reporters Without Borders said Thursday. Antonina Favorskaya...

Congolese journalist convicted of spreading false information expected to be freed soon

Mar. 18, 2024 21:11 PM EDT

GOMA, Congo (AP) — Congolese journalist Stanis Bujakera was set to be freed soon after a court found him guilty and sentenced him Monday to six months in prison for spreading false information among other charges, according to media freedom group Reporters Without Borders. He was...

Chinese city officials issue a rare apology after authorities harass journalists on live TV

Mar. 14, 2024 06:45 AM EDT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — City officials in eastern China apologized to local journalists after authorities were shown pushing them and trying to obstruct reporting from the site of a deadly explosion, in a rare acknowledgment of state aggression against journalists. The city of Sanhe,...

Editorial Roundup: Alabama

Mar. 13, 2024 19:56 PM EDT

Cullman Times. March 9, 2024. Editorial: Our right to know Sunshine Week, the annual national observance highlighting government transparency, is taking place this week, through March 16. This week serves as a reminder of the value of the freedom of the...

UK government says it will back legislation to ban foreign state ownership of British newspapers

Mar. 13, 2024 17:07 PM EDT

LONDON (AP) — The U.K. government said Wednesday it will back legislation banning foreign state ownership of British newspapers and magazines, a move that could upend a planned takeover by a United Arab Emirates-led consortium of the Telegraph Media Group. The development comes...

Chinese legislature's meetings return, but the limited openness they once had is gone

Mar. 12, 2024 11:04 AM EDT

BEIJING (AP) — This year, China’s national legislature resumed its annual in-person meetings without many of the restrictions that had been imposed since the pandemic. No more bubbles, multiple COVID-19 tests or social distancing. Officials say China is back to business, but in...

Journalism leaders express support for media covering the Israel-Hamas war, ask for more protection

Feb. 29, 2024 18:03 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Three dozen leaders at news organizations around the world have signed a letter expressing solidarity with journalists in Gaza, calling for their safety and freedom to report in the war zone. The letter, released Thursday, was spearheaded by the Committee to Protect...

A French journalist has been detained in Ethiopia, his publisher says

Feb. 26, 2024 06:03 AM EST

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A French journalist has been detained in Ethiopia while visiting the country for a recent African Union summit, his employer said Monday. Antoine Galindo, a Paris-based correspondent for the Africa Intelligence website, was detained in the capital Addis Ababa...