Media Defence

Following the release of Guatemalan investigative journalist José Rubén Zamora, Media Defence spoke to his lawyer, Héctor Reyes, about his still precarious legal situation. Learn more about his case https://bit.ly/4csaDaL

Watch "The General", Laura Brickman's documentary on the rise of Tô Lâm and Vietnam's surveillance and crackdown on human rights. Media Defence's Wiebke Hangst moderates a panel with exiled lawyer Nguyễn Văn Đài and journalist Lê Trung Khoa.
Taz Kantine, Berlin | 6 PM | Free - registration required

We’ll be at Ladbroke Hall to celebrate the Marie Colvin Journalists' Network's 10th anniversary, support their work with women journalists in the MENA region and honour the legacy of Marie Colvin. If you’ll be there, let’s connect! https://bit.ly/3ONt27X

4 yrs since Russia’s full-scale invasion, we’re resharing our interview with Oleksandra Stepanova, ED of Human Rights Platform Ukraine, on frontline risks facing journalists and the danger of restrictive laws introduced as wartime security measures.
bit.ly/4ayCXqF

French Court of Appeal Dismisses Surgeon’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Marsactu and Mediapart Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal dismissed surgeon Michel Assor’s defamation lawsuit against Marsactu's article published in 2024.

The French Court of Appeal has dismissed a defamation case against Marseille outlet Marsactu, sued for €600,000 after investigating surgeon Michel Assor.

Marsactu’s legal defence was supported by Media Defence.

👉 bit.ly/4rC7f1i

Six years after the murder of journalist Léo Veras, his family is still waiting for justice.
Media Defence and IDEA have brought his case before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to seek accountability and challenge impunity.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4aFiK12

Azerbaijan unlawfully convicted investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova. This is the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which also found that the proceedings were unfair, arbitrary and baseless. Read more about her case here: https://bit.ly/4agQlQ7

🇫🇷 Vexatious proceedings against L'Empaillé, have been dismissed. The independent outlet was prosecuted for “public insult” following an investigation into local police.

⚖ Read about the Ripostes fund that covered L’Empaillé's legal costs: bit.ly/40jDBlH

Journalist Javeria Siddique speaks to Columbia Global Freedom of Expression about grief, harassment, and her cross-border legal fight for justice for the killing of her late husband, investigative journalist Arshad Sharif.

🔗 Full interview: bit.ly/4cxEP49

#Turkey: Ramazan Demir is one of 28 sentenced after the 2016 crackdown on Kurdish human rights defenders. Demir has been handed over 11 yrs in prison. The proceedings appear to be blatant attack on the independence of the legal profession.

bit.ly/4qAih6s

Seis años después del asesinato del periodista brasileño Léo Veras, aún no hay justicia. Hoy, Media Defence y
IDEA han llevado su caso ante la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, cuestionando la responsabilidad del Estado por su muerte.

bit.ly/4arGINg

Six years after the killing of journalist Léo Veras, there is still no justice. Today, Media Defence and IDEA took his case to the IACHR, challenging Paraguay’s failure to properly investigate and prosecute those responsible for this grave crime.

bit.ly/4aMFoG3

🗞️ In this month’s newsletter: a win for Khadija Ismajilova against Azerbaijan, resources for journalists in the US, a sentence reduction for Kingsley Njoka in Cameroon and other key press freedom updates from us and from our partners. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3O1QVIS

New emergency fund supports US journalists at risk - Committee to Protect Journalists New York, February 5, 2026—Following escalating threats to the safety of journalists nationwide, two international press freedom organizations – the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Inte...

The harassment of journalists documenting anti-ICE protests and felony charges against Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are a dangerous escalation in attacks on press freedom in the US. @pressfreedom.bsky.social and IWMF launched a fund for journalists in the region: bit.ly/4qEgCgh

As a member of the Coalition against SLAPPs in Europe, we support this new report by @daphne.foundation, highlighting the urgent need for national implementation to protect journalists, civil society, and public participation.

Read the full report here: bit.ly/49PAkR1

After 3 weeks, Iran’s near-total internet shutdown is still restricting ~92M people, crippling reporting on unrest, detentions & abuses. NetBlocks says ‘restored’ access is largely artificial. Blanket shutdowns violate free expression & may hide grave abuses. 🔗 mediadefence.org/resource-hub

SLAPPs: la nueva forma de censura silenciosa contra el periodismo en Centroamérica | Por Wilfredo Miranda El periodismo independiente centroamericano ha entendido algo esencial, además de resistir, ya sea incluso desde el exilio: Que la defensa no solo está en los tribunales, está en la solidaridad, la co...

Los procesos contra Marlon Mora en Costa Rica representan una grave amenaza a la libertad de prensa en Centroamerica. @piruloar.bsky.social habla sobre eso acá: www.divergentes.com/slapps-la-nu...

Khadija Ismayilova, represented by MD and Azeri counsel, secures win against #Azerbaijan at European Court. The
ECtHR found her conviction baseless - rebuking the use of trumped-up, non-speech related charges to silence critical reporting.

bit.ly/4q4VhwaKhadija

📢 Landmark Judgment: Khadija Ismayilova, represented by Media Defence and Azeri counsel, secures win against #Azerbaijan at European Court. The ECtHR found her conviction baseless - rebuking the use of trumped-up, ostensibly non-speech related charges to silence critical reporting.

bit.ly/4q4Vhwa

🇻🇪 Tras la abducción de Nicolás Maduro, al menos 14 periodistas han sido posteriormente detenidos de manera arbitraria.

Podemos financiar apoyo legal para periodistas que sean objeto de represalias debido a su labor informativa.

🔗 bit.ly/3LstKGN

Journalist Lê Đình Lượng is serving a 20yr sentence that the UNWGAD has ruled arbitrary. Media Defence continues to support his case and calls for access to urgent medical care, an end to his solitary confinement, and his immediate release.

👉 www.mediadefence.org/news/le-dinh...

Cameroon’s Court of Appeal has reduced the 10-year sentence against journalist Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka, leading to his release. Our new article examines his abduction and trial, and the environment for journalists in the country. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4pTZQt1

@unesco.org World Trends Report reveals a 10% decline in freedom of expression since 2012. With criminal defamation in 160 states and 361 journalists jailed in 2024, our work has never been more urgent. Donate here: https://bit.ly/49CXs3A
Read the report: https://bit.ly/45TboFz

Nos complace destacar Fondo Futuro, un nuevo modelo para fortalecer la sostenibilidad del periodismo independiente en Colombia, incubado por la Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP), en colaboración con el International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM).

Conoce más: futuroperiodismo.org

More than five years after Cameroonian journalist Samuel Wazizi died in military custody, there has been no independent investigation, no autopsy, and no accountability.

Media Defence has taken his case to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

www.mediadefence.org/news/seeking...

The ECtHR ruled that Azerbaijan violated Azadliq’s freedom of expression, finding that sanctions imposed were disproportionate - an important decision amid Azerbaijan’s crackdown. MD represented Azadliq.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3N2tKNK

The ECtHR Grand Chamber held that sanctioning a judge for FB posts violated his freedom of expression. MD submitted an amicus in the case, noting the importance of judges engaging with the press on matters of public interest. Read our comments here:
https://bit.ly/4aQMDNE

Our offices are closed between 24 Dec and 5 Jan. If you require urgent support, please contact info@mediadefence.org

Our offices are closed between 12pm on the 24th of Dec and 9am on the 5th of Jan. If you require urgent support please contact info@mediadefence.org

We’re grateful to the lawyers and journalists who stood with us this year - your courage and expertise help defend the right to report. To keep supporting us in 2026, donate here: https://bit.ly/44CBJar

Thank you for standing with us!