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Freedom to Write index says there are 107 people in prison for published content in China, with many accused of ‘picking quarrels’The number of writers jailed in China has surpassed 100, with nearly half imprisoned for online expression.The grim milestone is revealed in the 2023 Freedom to Write index, a report compiled by Pen America, published on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Dissidents and broadcasters feeling unsafe after stabbing of Pouria Zeraati in London call for ‘deterrent signal’A former BBC journalist has said the UK government will “pay a heavy price” for its lack of action against the Iranian regime, which could lead to more “threats” and “operations” in Britain, after the stabbing of an Iranian journalist in London.Sima Sabet, a former journalist at the BBC...

Former chief Middle East correspondent was longest-held western hostage of Shia Muslim groups during crisisTerry Anderson, a US journalist who was held captive by Islamist militants for almost seven years in Lebanon and came to symbolise the plight of western hostages during the country’s 1975-90 civil war, has died aged 76, his daughter said.The former chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, who...

Correspondents in Port-au-Prince face danger as they play a vital role in chronicling city’s state of siegeEach day, Makenson Rémy wakes in the hush of the night to tell the story of his shattered home town, Port-au-Prince. Each day, he fears he might die. “I am very worried for the city. I am worried for my family. I am worried for myself too, because...

Rights groups say Antonina Favorskaya is accused of links to Alexei Navalny’s ‘extremist organisation’ and is one of six journalists held this monthA journalist who filmed the last video of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny before he died, Antonina Favorskaya, has been detained by authorities.Favorskaya covered the trials of Navalny for several years and media freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders said on Thursday she...

IDF fired two rounds at ‘clearly identifiable journalists’ in Lebanon last year when there was no exchange of fire in areaAn Israeli tank that killed a Reuters journalist and wounded six others in Lebanon last year fired two 120mm rounds at a group of “clearly identifiable journalists” in violation of international law, a UN investigation has found.The investigation by the United Nations Interim Force...

More than 30 news organisations sign open letter demanding freedom to report conflict in safetyMore than 30 news organisations have signed an open letter expressing solidarity with journalists working in Gaza and calling for their protection and freedom to report.The letter, coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), was signed by global news agencies AFP, AP and Reuters, as well as other leading...

Judges urged to keep proceedings as open as possible in case relating to Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffreyAllegations that UK police and intelligence spied on investigative journalists to identify their sources will be heard by a secret tribunal on Wednesday, with judges urged to ensure as much as possible takes place in open court.Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey asked the investigatory powers tribunal (IPT)...

Antoine Galindo is accused of conspiring with rebels, but press freedom groups say no evidence has been found and call for his immediate releaseEthiopian authorities have detained a visiting French journalist for being part of a “conspiracy to create chaos” in the east African country.Antoine Galindo, a reporter for the Paris-based Africa Intelligence (AI) news website, was arrested by plainclothes security officers at the...