Latest Freedom of the press News
Groups ask Iowa Senate leaders to give reporters more access
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Free press advocates pushed Iowa Senate leaders Wednesday to change a policy that removed reporters from the Senate floor for the first time in more than 100 years and moved them to a second-floor public gallery where they can't interact with lawmakers. ...
Beijing residents disappointed Olympics will be closed event
BEIJING (AP) — With just over two weeks before the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, residents of the Chinese capital say they’re disappointed at not being able to attend events because of coronavirus restrictions that have seen parts of the city placed under lockdown. ...
Olympic athletes urged by activists not to criticize China
GENEVA (AP) — Athletes at the Beijing Olympics were urged by human rights activists Tuesday to avoid criticizing China because they could be prosecuted. The International Olympic Committee has said athletes will have freedom of speech at next month's Winter Games when speaking to...
German journalist acquitted of terror charges in Turkey
ISTANBUL (AP) — A Turkish court has acquitted German journalist Mesale Tolu after years on trial for terror-related charges. “After 4 years, 8 months and 20 days: Acquitted of both charges!” Tolu tweeted after her acquittal. She was accused of engaging in terror propaganda and...
Iranian filmmaker dies from COVID-19 despite prison furlough
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An award-winning Iranian filmmaker and poet who had been jailed on state security charges but was released on furlough after contracting COVID-19 died Saturday of the disease, Iranian media reported. Semiofficial ISNA news agency said Baktash...
Hannity, Fox face ethical issues over Trump text revelations
NEW YORK (AP) — For years, Sean Hannity has skirted ethical boundaries with his role on a television network with “news” in its name. Yet it's never been as stark as now, with the committee investigating last year's Capitol insurrection seeking his testimony. The Jan. 6 select...
Editorial Roundup: U.S.
Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: Jan. 3 The Philadelphia Inquirer on A new year requires a better plan to tackle gun violence crisis: It took about 90 minutes for Philadelphia to experience its first homicide of 2022. ...
Jan. 6 panel seeks interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection on Tuesday requested an interview with Fox News personality Sean Hannity, one of former President Donald Trump’s closest allies in the media, as the committee continues to widen its scope. In a...
Hong Kong's Lam: Media closures unrelated to press freedom
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday said the recent closure of two media outlets in the city does not indicate a decline in press freedom as the decisions were made by the outlets themselves. Her comments came almost a week after authorities arrested seven...
Hong Kong news outlet to close amid crackdown on dissent
HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong online news site said Sunday that it will cease operations in light of deteriorating press freedoms, days after police raided and arrested seven people for sedition at a separate pro-democracy news outlet. Citizen News announced its decision in a...
