International Press Institute (IPI)

A second bill, nicknamed the “Al Jazeera Law,” would expand and make permanent a temporary order giving the Israeli government unilateral power to close foreign media outlets deemed to be threats to national security.

Read our statement 👇
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A new media regulation bill would require all news content providers to register with the government, and grant the government sweeping powers to cancel registrations or impose fines on media outlets for violations of the new regulations.
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Israel: IPI warns against adoption of two new bills that would imperil domestic and international media If passed, new laws would centralize government control of the media in Israel and open the door for political interference

🇮🇱 #Israel: IPI expresses concern about two new bills that have passed first reading in the Israeli parliament that would have sweeping implications for press freedom and impede the operations of both domestic and international news outlets in Israel.
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Story Matters: News entrepreneurs in a disruptive age (Part 2) – ipi.media Insights from the opening session Story Matters: News entrepreneurs in a disruptive age at the IPI Media Innovation Festival 2025

New in our series from #MIFest25 - part 2 of the interviews from the Story Matters featuring Preethi Nallu (Report for the World), in conversation with Anastasiia Marushevska ( Ukrainer International) and Maya Misikir (Sifter).

Read the full summary: buff.ly/mrLfZCy

Samoa: IPI calls on prime minister to drop ban on Samoa Observer Ban targets the leading source of independent news in the South Pacific state

🇼🇸 Samoa: IPI calls on Samoan Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt to immediately reverse an order banning the Samoa Observer from attending his weekly press conferences, and calls on the prime minister to recommit to the value of a free press.
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The shuttering of RFE/RL’s Hungarian service, which came after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to the White House, is the latest example of how the Trump administration is openly aiding authoritarian leaders around the world.

Read our full statement:
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Hungary: RFE service shuttered by Trump administration for 'opposing' ally Orban – ipi.media The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemns the decision by the Trump administration to cut funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Hungarian service and warns the cessation of its…

🇭🇺 #Hungary: IPI condemns the decision by the Trump administration to cut funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Hungarian service and warns the cessation of its operations will further erode media pluralism in the country ahead of the April 2026 election.
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India: IPI, partners demand urgent protection for journalist Rana Ayyub following death threats IPI joins nine press freedom organizations in letter to Indian police commissioner urging further steps to ensure the safety of journalist Rana Ayyub amid escalating threats

🇮🇳 #India: IPI joins nine NGOs in urging authorities to take immediate steps to protect Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub amid escalating threats to her life.

We call on police to open a formal investigation to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
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(4/4) @lemandergi.bsky.social cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan, who was jailed on charges of insulting the president, has been released.
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(3/4) Access to a @tele1tv.bsky.social report on alleged unfair promotions at the state news agency was blocked, and access to more than 1,600 online content was restricted following a complaint by a pro-government media figure.
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(2/4) Journalist @alicanuludag.bsky.social is under investigation for alleged misinformation after his social media post.
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(1/4) Journalist @ismailari.bsky.social announced that he is facing four separate investigations over his reporting on corruption and public-sector scandals.
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#Turkey: Two journalists under investigation, one released. Access to news articles was blocked. Here’s our weekly round-up of #pressfreedom developments in the country.

Serbia: Election of REM Council undermines democratic principles – ipi.media IPI today joins its partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in expressing renewed concern over the undemocratic process by which the National Assembly conducted the latest election for…

🇷🇸#Serbia: Following the latest REM Council election, IPI & MFRR partners urge the international community and institutions such as the OSCE and EU to refrain from legitimising this outcome. A complete & democratic election is crucial for #mediafrreedom.

Hungary: New EU Media Board should assess Blikk acquisition by pro-government media group – ipi.media The International Press Institute (IPI) today joins media freedom partners in in raising alarm about the recent acquisition of Hungary’s most-read tabloid newspaper by a pro-government media group…

#Hungary: IPI & partners raise alarm about acquisition of country's most-read tabloid by pro-government media group & call on newly established European Board for Media Services to launch an assessment of the merger and its impact on media pluralism👇

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Mapping Media Freedom: Romania: Government spokesperson joins SRR Board of Administration, raising independence concerns (2025-11-18) On 18 November 2025, the Romanian Parliament confirmed the new composition of the Board of…

🇷🇴 #Romania: IPI raises alarm over appointment of Government Spokesperson Ioana Ene Dogioiu to Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company (SRR), board. The appointment clearly breaches Romanian law & EMFA, and threatens independence of the public service media.👇

Serbia: Election of REM Council undermines democratic principles – ipi.media IPI today joins its partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) in expressing renewed concern over the undemocratic process by which the National Assembly conducted the latest election for…

🇷🇸#Serbia: IPI joins MFRR partners expressing concern over undemocratic process in the election for the REM Council, which represents yet another effort by the ruling majority to retain government influence over the regulator & block democratic reform👇

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Offices of Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne in Dnipro destroyed in Russian drone strike on November 17. Photo courtesy of Suspilne.

🇺🇦 #Ukraine: The IPI global network today condemns the unprecedented Russian attack on the offices of Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne in Dnipro on the night of November 17.

While no one was hurt, the office was severely damaged👇
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European Democracy Shield: Bolstering independent media at the core of democratic resilience – ipi.media The European Democracy Shield offers an important opportunity to ensure safety of journalists and media viability.

🇪🇺The European Democracy Shield offers an important opportunity to ensure the safety of journalists and the viability of media. IPI joins #MFRR partners in calling for additional protections for journalists against digital pressures and harmful legislation. #PressFreedom #EMFA #DSA👇

United States: U.S. leaders must prioritize human rights, press freedom during Saudi Crown Prince visit U.S. should demand accountability for murder of Jamal Khashoggi

Whitewashing the state-sanctioned murder of journalists will embolden enemies of the free press everywhere.

IPI calls on U.S. lawmakers to speak up and defend the right of journalists to work carry out their critical work safely, without fear of targeting.
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Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing The de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia was branded a pariah in 2018 after the killing of a Washington Post columnist. Now, U.S.-Saudi relations are nearing a high point.

🇺🇸 #USA: IPI strongly condemns President Trump's shameful defense of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when questioned by a reporter about the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi while visiting the White House yesterday.
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Slovak Republic: STVR Halts Reportéri Investigation and Suspends Programme
Find out more 👉 go.coe.int/PR0Oj
Alert submitted by @globalfreemedia.bsky.social & RSF
#EuropeForFreeMedia

Georgia: IPI denounces appeals court verdict against Mzia Amaglobeli – ipi.media . As the defense plans to appeal this verdict to the Supreme Court, IPI continues to demand its overturn and Mzia’s immediate release.

🇬🇪 #Georgia: IPI condemns the appeal court verdict upholding the two-year prison sentence against IPI World Press Freedom Hero Mzia Amaglobeli. As the defense plans to appeal this verdict to the Supreme Court, we demand its overturn and Mzia’s immediate release. #FreeMzia

Story Matters: News entrepreneurs in a disruptive age (Part 1) – ipi.media Insights from the opening session Story Matters: News entrepreneurs in a disruptive age at the IPI Media Innovation Festival 2025

On Oct 24, the IPI Media Innovation Festival 2025 kicked off in Vienna with 5 powerful interviews from media founders, all shaping how we tell stories that matter and how these stories find their audiences.

🔗 Read part 1 of the summary: buff.ly/T8mfAEk

United States: U.S. leaders must prioritize human rights, press freedom during Saudi Crown Prince visit U.S. should demand accountability for murder of Jamal Khashoggi

🇺🇸 #USA: IPI calls on President Trump to raise Saudi Arabia’s record of human rights abuses and press freedom violations, including the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi, during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s White House visit. #EndImpunity
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Spotlight: Imprisoned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli named 2025 IPI-IMS World Press Freedom Hero Mzia Amaglobeli is a symbol of resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism

Our position remains steadfast: the charges against Mzia are excessive and politically motivated. The Batumi City Court’s verdict must be overturned, and Mzia must be immediately released.
#FreeMzia
Read more about Mzia and her unjust imprisonment here 👇
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🇬🇪 #Georgia: IPI is closely following today’s hearing of IPI World Press Freedom Hero and 2025 Sakharov Prize laureate Mzia Amaglobeli at the Appeals Court, where the defense will present its closing statement and the panel of judges is expected to issue the verdict.

The report provides detailed recommendations on a variety of measures and policies necessary to address media capture in Greece and create a free, pluralistic and democratic media ecosystem, in line with EMFA provisions. #MediaFreedom #EMFA

Download⬇️

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The report concludes that Greece has taken limited steps towards aligning its legislation and practice with #EMFA provisions. While some legal frameworks already partially comply with #EMFA requirements, core problems persist across regulation, public service media, and funding.

Greece: Media Capture Monitoring Report 2025 – ipi.media IPI and MJRC launched the third in a new series of Media Capture Monitoring Reports for 2025.

🇬🇷 #Greece: The third country report in our new series of Media Capture Monitoring Reports for 2025 is out. In this one, IPI & Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC) examine the state of play & compliance with #EMFA in Greece. Download⬇️
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