Press freedom news covering journalist safety, censorship, media law, source protection, and threats to independent reporting worldwide.
This commentary argues that Donald Trump's threats to imprison journalists for reporting on national security leaks represent a dangerous escalation of his war on the press. It contends that the subpoenas issued to New York Times reporters are a punitive measure in bad faith, not a legitimate investigation.
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 to stay a lower court order blocking the Pentagon's policy requiring journalists to be escorted, finding the policy neutrally applied. The court expedited the appeal. The New York Times and reporter Julian Barnes sued, arguing the policy violates the First Amendment.
A federal judge granted The New York Times' request to postpone grand jury appearances for reporters Julian Barnes, Eric Lipton, and Eric Schmitt until a July 23 hearing on their motion to quash subpoenas. The Trump administration subpoenaed the reporters to reveal sources about security concerns with Trump's Qatari-donated jet.
Five Hong Kong booksellers arrested on suspicion of sedition have been released on bail pending further investigation. The three women and two men, aged 30 to 59, were released on Friday after being arrested on Wednesday for allegedly displaying and selling seditious publications.
The author argues that the U.S. government has failed to protect Voice of America journalist Ulviyya Ali, who is imprisoned in Azerbaijan on fabricated charges after reporting on human rights abuses. He contends that America must uphold its commitment to press freedom by intervening to secure her release, as it has done for other journalists in the past.
Israeli civil rights groups appealed to the Shin Bet to stop monitoring journalists and their sources after reports that the agency used phone metadata to investigate leaks. The groups warned the surveillance undermines press freedom and democracy.
This commentary argues that the relationship between the US president, his plane (Air Force One), and the press corps reflects broader tensions in executive transparency. It contends that restrictions on press access during presidential travel undermine democratic accountability and suggests that the administration's control over the narrative is a concerning trend.
This commentary argues that Gina Rinehart's public advocacy for free speech is contradicted by her aggressive media monitoring and legal threats against critics. It cites examples of her team demanding retractions from small outlets, suggesting her commitment to free speech is selective and self-serving.
The Editors Guild of India criticized the Ministry of External Affairs for defending PM Modi's avoidance of unscripted press conferences, calling the argument 'deeply flawed'. The Guild said the PM should answer all citizens on urgent issues like the energy crisis from the West Asia war.
The commentary argues that a 50-year-old legal precedent could be used to counter Trump's attacks on the news media, suggesting that historical cases may provide a framework for protecting press freedoms. It contends that this legal strategy could be pivotal in ongoing conflicts between the president and the media.