News

May 25, 2026 - Lebanon/Iran - Iran has strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that reportedly killed several paramedics and a Lebanese journalist, as violence continues despite international efforts to prevent further escalation along the Israel-Lebanon border. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the attacks as violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and accused Israel of targeting civilians and emergency responders. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, Baghaei said Israeli operations had caused widespread destruction and contributed to growing civilian casualties in Lebanon over recent months. According to Lebanese health authorities and international media...

May 25, 2026 - Philippines - The killing of a radio journalist in the southern Philippines has renewed concerns over media safety and press freedom in a country long considered one of the most dangerous places in Asia for journalists. Broadcaster and radio commentator Eduardo “Ed” Dizon was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Cotabato City in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). According to police reports, the journalist was attacked while riding a motorcycle and later died from gunshot wounds. Authorities launched an investigation into the killing, though no arrests had been...

May 25, 2026 - Afghanistan - The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has condemned the Taliban’s closure of three local radio stations in Kandahar, describing the move as another escalation in the ongoing crackdown on independent media across Afghanistan. According to the AFJC, Taliban authorities in Kandahar shut down the stations “Tahsin al-Quran,” “Sanga,” and “Zama Ziwer” during a joint operation involving the provincial Information and Culture Department, intelligence officials, and representatives of the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority. Taliban officials claimed the stations lacked proper licenses, had unpaid taxes, and failed to meet broadcasting standards. The...

May 25, 2026 - Bangladesh - Two Bangladeshi journalists were injured after allegedly being attacked by members of a local drug trafficking group while reporting in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, highlighting ongoing safety risks faced by media workers covering crime and corruption in the country. The attack took place in the Rajashon area of Savar when a television news team from Desh TV and SA TV was gathering information on alleged narcotics operations in the neighborhood. According to the journalists, the team had been interviewing residents and documenting claims about drug activity before...

May 25, 2026 - China/Nepal - The Chinese Embassy in Nepal has denied allegations circulating on social media that Chinese nationals attempted to bribe Nepali journalists to publish negative reports targeting local political figures, calling the accusations false and politically motivated. The controversy emerged after online claims alleged that Chinese individuals had approached journalists from several Nepali media organizations with financial offers in exchange for unfavorable coverage against certain politicians. The allegations quickly spread across social media platforms and sparked debate within Nepal’s political and media circles. In an official statement, the Chinese Embassy said...

May 25, 2026 - Palestine - Activists involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla say they experienced severe mistreatment after Israeli forces intercepted their Gaza-bound vessels in international waters, sparking growing international criticism and renewed scrutiny over Israel’s enforcement of the naval blockade on Gaza. The flotilla, made up of around 50 boats carrying hundreds of volunteers from dozens of countries, had set sail with the stated aim of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenging the blockade. Israeli forces stopped the convoy at sea earlier this month and detained more than 400 participants before transferring...

May 24, 2026 - India - Indian sports photojournalist Gitika Talukdar has received official FIFA accreditation to cover the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, becoming the only Indian woman photojournalist selected for the global football tournament and marking her third consecutive assignment at the event. Talukdar, who is based in Assam, will cover the upcoming World Cup scheduled to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Her latest accreditation follows previous coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar, further establishing her presence in international...

May 24, 2026 - Nigeria - The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on governments and media stakeholders across the country to improve journalists’ welfare, strengthen press freedom protections, and provide safer working conditions for media professionals facing growing economic and security pressures. Speaking during the 2026 Press Week activities of the NUJ Federal Capital Territory Council in Abuja, NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Yahya said journalists continue to work under difficult conditions marked by poor salaries, job insecurity, harassment, intimidation, and inadequate institutional support. He stressed that the annual Press Week should serve as...

May 24, 2026 - Uganda - Ugandan journalist Solomon Batte of Nation Media Group (NMG) has received a top storytelling award in recognition of his reporting and contribution to journalism in Uganda, adding to growing acknowledgment of long-form and public interest reporting in East Africa. According to reports published by the Daily Monitor, Batte was honored during a media awards ceremony celebrating excellence in storytelling, investigative journalism, and impactful reporting. Organizers praised his ability to present complex social and national issues in a compelling and accessible format that resonated with audiences across Uganda. Batte, who...

May 24, 2026 - Bangladesh - Bangladeshi journalist Md. Arif Uddin has received the Best Correspondent Crest during the 30th anniversary celebration of the Rangpur-based daily newspaper Daily Akhira, recognizing his contribution to local journalism and community reporting in northern Bangladesh. The award was presented during a discussion and anniversary event held at the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce auditorium on Saturday. Advocate Rezeka Sultana Fency, a member of parliament representing a reserved women’s seat, handed over the honorary crest to Arif Uddin in front of journalists, academics, law enforcement officials, and local dignitaries attending the...

May 24, 2026 - General - A new press freedom review published by JournalismPakistan has highlighted growing global pressure on journalists and independent media organizations, pointing to increasing legal restrictions, economic instability, digital regulation, and newsroom restructuring across multiple regions. According to the report, South Asia remained one of the main areas of concern, with developments in Pakistan and the Maldives drawing attention over journalist detentions, cybercrime legislation, and restrictions affecting independent reporting. The review stated that governments are increasingly relying on digital governance laws, national security measures, and online regulations that have broader implications...

May 24, 2026 - Pakistan - Pakistani journalists staged a protest and walked out of the Parliament press gallery after claims emerged that a Geo News reporter was prevented from covering parliamentary proceedings following a question directed at Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The incident triggered renewed debate over press freedom and media access in Pakistan’s political institutions. According to reports published by JournalismPakistan, tensions began after the reporter questioned Bilawal during parliamentary coverage, leading to allegations that restrictions were subsequently placed on the journalist’s access. In response, journalists covering Parliament organized a...

May 24, 2026 - New Zealand - New Zealand journalist Michael Wright of The Press has received a prestigious journalism award recognizing his reporting and contribution to the media industry, adding to growing international recognition for investigative and public interest journalism in the country. According to reporting by The Press, Wright was honored for his work covering significant public issues and delivering in-depth reporting that resonated with readers across New Zealand. The award highlighted the role of accountability journalism and the importance of strong local reporting in an evolving media environment. Wright has built a...

May 24, 2026 - Nigeria - Nigerian journalist and media strategist Enyinnaya Appolos has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Obingwa West State Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 Abia State House of Assembly elections, marking his formal entry into frontline politics after years in journalism and political communications. Appolos, a former political correspondent for The Nation and Nigerian Compass newspapers, secured the PDP ticket for the constituency in Abia State and pledged to approach the upcoming election with seriousness and discipline. Speaking after his nomination, he stressed that he would...

May 24, 2026 - Egypt - An Egyptian appeals court has cleared journalist Mohamed Taher in a case tied to a report about rainwater leaking inside museums in Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, ending a legal battle that lasted nearly four years. The ruling overturned a previous six-month prison sentence and canceled a financial penalty that had been issued against the antiquities reporter. Taher, who works for the state-owned Akhbar Al-Youm media organization, originally published a story in 2022 alleging that rainwater had seeped into museum buildings in the Red Sea cities. The article raised concerns...

May 23, 2026 - Russia - Russia has added the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to its official list of “undesirable organizations,” escalating the country’s crackdown on independent journalism, international media watchdogs, and press freedom groups. According to CPJ, the Russian Ministry of Justice added the organization to the register on May 12 after the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office designated it “undesirable” on April 28. Under Russian law, organizations carrying this label are effectively banned from operating in the country, and individuals accused of cooperating with them can face criminal prosecution. CPJ condemned the decision...

May 23, 2026 - Ukraine/Russia - Ukrainian journalist Iryna Levchenko has described her detention by Russian forces during the occupation of southern Ukraine, recounting months of fear, interrogations, and uncertainty after she and her family attempted to flee occupied territory. Her story was published by the European Federation of Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists as part of ongoing efforts to document abuses against Ukrainian media workers during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Levchenko, a journalist from Melitopol in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, said Russian forces detained her family on June 6, 2022, while they attempted...

May 23, 2026 - Philippines - Filipino journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa warned that journalism is facing an “existential” moment as disinformation, political pressure, and attacks on press freedom continue growing worldwide. Speaking during a visit to Dartmouth College, Ressa said the future of democracy increasingly depends on the survival of independent journalism and public trust in factual reporting. Ressa visited Hanover on May 20 to deliver the keynote address for Dartmouth’s 2026 Social Justice Awards ceremony, hosted by the college’s Division of Institutional Diversity and Equity. The event recognized individuals and...

May 23, 2026 - New Zealand - Independent digital outlet The Spinoff emerged as one of the major winners at the 2026 New Zealand Media Awards, taking home the award for Best News, Current Affairs or Specialist Publication during the annual ceremony in Auckland. The recognition marked another significant achievement for the online publication as New Zealand’s media industry gathered to celebrate journalism, reporting, and digital storytelling across multiple categories. Judges praised The Spinoff for what they described as its strong journalism, multi-platform reporting, audience engagement, and distinctive editorial voice. According to comments released during...

May 23, 2026 - Italy/Palestine - Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani has accused Israeli forces of physically assaulting activists and journalists after the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters, adding to growing allegations of abuse and mistreatment during the operation. Mantovani, who was among hundreds of activists detained after Israeli forces seized the vessels, said detainees were beaten, humiliated, and subjected to harsh treatment while in custody. The flotilla, organized by the Global Sumud Flotilla coalition, was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s blockade of the territory. Israeli naval...

May 23, 2026 - Peru - Journalists in Peru are confronting increasing threats, intimidation, and hostility as the country experiences democratic backsliding and growing political instability, according to a new report published by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The organization said reporters covering corruption, protests, and organized crime are facing escalating dangers while government officials and political actors continue undermining press freedom. The report described a climate of fear among journalists working in Peru, particularly outside the capital, Lima. Reporters interviewed by CPJ said they regularly received threats, harassment, and online abuse connected to their...

May 23, 2026 - Syria - Syrian authorities have arrested a former military police sergeant who worked as a guard and jailer at the notorious Sednaya Military Prison during the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad. Syria’s Interior Ministry announced that Mohammad Imad Mahrez was captured by internal security forces and is now under investigation for alleged crimes connected to the prison, which became internationally known for torture, executions, and severe human rights abuses. According to the Interior Ministry, Mahrez served at Sednaya prison beginning in 2015 under the former Syrian government. Officials said investigators...

May 23, 2026 - Germany/Turkey - A Turkish court has ordered the release of Deutsche Welle journalist Alican Uludağ after nearly three months in pre-trial detention, in a case that drew international criticism and renewed concerns over press freedom in Türkiye. Uludağ, a court reporter for Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), had been detained in February following an investigation linked to several posts on the social media platform X. Turkish prosecutors accused him of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, spreading misleading information, and denigrating the state. The journalist denied all accusations and argued that...

May 23, 2026 - General - Australia’s national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), emerged as the biggest winner at the 2026 Tasmanian Media Awards after securing 11 awards across multiple journalism categories, highlighting the broadcaster’s strong performance in public interest and regional reporting. The awards, organized by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), were held in Hobart and recognized outstanding journalism produced in Tasmania during the past year. ABC journalists won more than half of the 20 categories presented during the ceremony, reflecting the organization’s continued influence within Australian media and regional news...

May 23, 2026 - Russia - Russian journalist and theater critic Alexander Minkin has publicly explained why he has chosen to remain in Russia despite being labeled a “foreign agent” by authorities, saying he does not want to leave his country even amid increasing pressure on independent journalists and public figures. Speaking in an interview with journalist Stanislav Kucher, Minkin said his attachment to Russia and Moscow was the main reason behind his decision to stay. “This is my country, this is my city,” he said when asked why he had not emigrated following his...