insert_link World How the Olympics opening ceremony triggered a debate on ‘woke ideology’ in France By Alexandre Frambéry-Iacobone, Université de Bordeaux France was hurt, divided and in need of a great federating event after recent elections. And Emmanuel Macron framed the Olympic Games as an opportunity to “unite around a France that welcomes the world”, calling for a “political truce” during that time. Conservatives, however, believe that the great moment of national cohesion has yet to take place. From the Republican […] todayAugust 8, 2024 13
insert_link World Julian Assange’s appeal to avoid extradition will go ahead. It could be legally groundbreaking By Holly Cullen, The University of Western Australia Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s challenge to the order for his extradition to the United States to face charges of computer misuse and espionage will continue, after the High Court in London rejected US government assurances that his rights to freedom of expression would be protected. On March 26, the High Court conditionally granted Assange the right […] todayMay 21, 2024 15
insert_link Local Palestinian journalists covering Gaza awarded 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize Palestinian journalists covering Gaza have been named as laureates of the 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, following the recommendation of an International Jury of media professionals. The Award Ceremony will take place on 2 May in the margins of the World Press Freedom Conference in Santiago, Chile. “In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition […] todayMay 3, 2024 7
insert_link Local UNESCO report reveals 70% of environmental journalists have been attacked for their work A new report published by UNESCO on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May, warns of increasing violence against, and intimidation of journalists reporting on the environment and climate disruption. At least 749 journalists or news media reporting on environmental issues have been attacked in the last 15 years, and online disinformation has surged dramatically in this period. UNESCO is calling for stronger support for environmental journalists and better […] todayMay 3, 2024 6
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s media have done good work with 30 years of freedom but need more diversity By Prinola Govenden, University of Johannesburg In 1992, two years before the end of apartheid, Nelson Mandela bemoaned the state of South Africa’s print media. He said the media’s domination by middle class males from the minority white population posed the biggest threat to freedom of expression in the country. The same year, the African National Congress under his leadership adopted a media charter calling for all […] todayMay 2, 2024 17
insert_link World Wikileaks founder granted right to appeal extradition ruling A London court has ruled that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange may be able to appeal his extradition to the United States. Two judges have ordered the U.S. to provide assurances that Assange has a right to freedom of expression and won't be subject to the death penalty before a final verdict is taken. Julia Chapman reports from London. todayMarch 26, 2024 30
insert_link Africa Sanef calls for big tech companies to be held accountable, Namibia’s Competition Commission agrees The South African National Editors’ Forum has asked the Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry, initiated by the Competition Commission of South Africa to consider getting Big Tech to look at fair compensation for using South African media content. Presentations were made by Chris Mcinga and Izak Minnaar, largely speaking on behalf of community media and the Press Council of SA. The Commission told SANEF that “X” (formerly Twitter) has […] todayMarch 5, 2024 33
insert_link Opinion Pieces Indonesia is one of the world’s largest democracies, but it’s weaponising defamation laws to smother dissent Tim Mann, The University of Melbourne Two former coordinators of one of Indonesia’s most prominent human rights organisations have escaped conviction in a defamation case brought by a powerful government minister. While their astonishing acquittal is welcome, the case marked a bleak new low for freedom of expression in one of the world’s largest democracies. Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti, who had coordinated the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims […] todayJanuary 9, 2024 18
insert_link Africa Ex-DR Congo PM backs Katumbi amid election tensions The former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Augustin Matata Ponyo, has withdrawn from next month's presidential election. He said he would now be backing Moïse Katumbi, a millionaire businessman and former governor of the Katanga region. According to the BBC, the run-up to the 20 December vote has been tense with human rights groups accusing the authorities of cracking down on dissent and freedom of expression - […] todayNovember 20, 2023 4
