News

April 14, 2026 - USA - Scripps News has announced the appointment of veteran journalist Jay Gray as its new senior national correspondent, marking a significant addition to the network’s national reporting team. Gray officially assumed the role on April 13, 2026, and will be based in Dallas, where he is expected to contribute to both breaking news coverage and long-form reporting across the United States. Gray joins Scripps News after a long career with NBC News, where he spent more than two decades covering major national and international stories. His reporting experience includes field...

April 14, 2026 - Nicaragua - A new report compiled by the Nicaraguan journalist collective “Las Exiliadas Nicas” with support from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Spain details what it describes as a two-decade-long, systematic dismantling of independent journalism in Nicaragua under the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. The findings were presented in Madrid and published across press freedom platforms, highlighting an accelerating collapse of media independence in the country. The report concludes that Nicaragua has undergone a sustained strategy aimed at eliminating critical journalism as an independent democratic force. It documents the closure...

April 14, 2026 - India - A recent analysis has raised concerns over escalating attacks on journalists and media institutions worldwide, warning that freedom of expression is increasingly under strain amid political pressure, conflict, and legal restrictions in multiple countries. The report argues that journalists continue to face a wide spectrum of threats, ranging from physical violence and intimidation to legal harassment, censorship, and coordinated online abuse. It stresses that these pressures are not isolated incidents but part of a broader global pattern that is narrowing the space for independent reporting and critical inquiry. Citing...

April 14, 2026 - Kazakhstan - International press freedom and human rights organisations have called on Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to drop criminal charges against several journalists and halt what they describe as an escalating pattern of pressure on independent media in the country. In a joint letter issued by six organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the groups raised alarm over what they described as a “recent spate of arrests” and the growing use of legal mechanisms to restrict journalistic work. They urged authorities to ensure the immediate release of journalists detained...

April 14, 2026 - Tanzania - Tanzanian authorities have suspended the digital broadcaster Jambo TV for 90 days, prompting strong criticism from press freedom advocates who warn that the move reflects increasing restrictions on independent journalism following the country’s disputed 2025 elections. The suspension was imposed by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) on April 2, 2026, citing what it described as “unverified” and “misleading” content published by the outlet on its YouTube and Instagram platforms. The posts questioned the credibility and potential outcomes of a presidential commission of inquiry tasked with investigating the killings...

April 14, 2026 - General - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has announced the election of a new Steering Committee for its Gender Council, marking the start of a new leadership term from 2026 to 2029 and reinforcing its global commitment to gender equality in journalism. At the centre of the announcement is the re-election of María Ángeles Samperio as chairperson for a third consecutive term. She secured a strong majority in a week-long online vote, reflecting continued confidence in her leadership at a time when gender equity remains a key priority for the...

April 14, 2026 - Burundi - Burundian journalist Sandra Muhoza has been granted provisional release after nearly two years in detention, a development hailed by press freedom advocates as a significant, though incomplete, step toward justice in a case widely criticised as emblematic of media repression in the country. Muhoza, a reporter for the online outlet La Nova Burundi, was released on March 4, 2026, following a decision by the Ngozi Court of Appeal. However, her release comes with strict judicial conditions, including restrictions on travel and requirements to report regularly to authorities, meaning her...

April 13, 2026 - USA - Two North Florida television stations have earned significant recognition at the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ) awards, highlighting strong performances across investigative reporting, breaking news coverage, and community storytelling. WCTV, based in Tallahassee, emerged as one of the biggest winners of the ceremony after securing more than 20 statewide honours, including the highly regarded Station of the Year title. The station also received the Community Service Station of the Year award, along with multiple category wins spanning news, investigative reporting, environmental coverage, sports journalism, and digital storytelling. Judges...

April 13, 2026 - Pakistan - More than a decade after the killing of Pakistani journalist Shan Dahar, his family and press freedom advocates are intensifying calls for justice, demanding a transparent reinvestigation into a case long marred by delays, inconsistencies, and allegations of police misconduct. At a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club, Dahar’s family, alongside media rights representatives, urged authorities to reopen the case and ensure the immediate arrest of all those responsible. They argued that despite recent developments, including the arrest of a key suspect, the investigation remains deeply flawed...

April 13, 2026 - India - Journalists in India’s northeastern state of Assam have staged protests and issued strong warnings over what they describe as a growing pattern of intimidation and attacks on the media, particularly during the recent state assembly elections. The demonstrations, including a protest captured in Nagaon district, reflect mounting concern within the press community about the safety and independence of journalists operating in the region. These protests coincided with broader discussions among media professionals who argue that recent incidents signal an increasingly hostile environment for independent reporting. At the centre of...

April 13, 2026 - Palestine - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Israeli authorities to provide immediate and transparent explanations following the deaths of two Palestinian media professionals who died while in Israeli custody, renewing concerns over detainee treatment and accountability in cases involving journalists. CPJ stated that journalists Ihab Diab and media worker Marwan Harzallah died under Israeli detention, and urged officials to return their bodies to their families without delay while launching independent and impartial investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The organisation warned that the cases reflect a...

April 13, 2026 - Malaysia -  Malaysia’s journalism and literary community gathered in Kuala Lumpur to honour veteran writer and National Journalist Laureate Adibah Amin, celebrating her enduring contributions while rallying support for her ongoing medical care. The tribute night, held at a prominent Kuala Lumpur venue, brought together journalists, editors, cultural figures, and admirers in a collective show of respect for a figure widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential voices in media and literature. The event also marked the launch of As I Was Passing (Legacy Edition), a commemorative publication featuring...

April 13, 2026 - India - A coalition of leading journalist organisations in India has called on the central government to withdraw the draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Second Amendment Rules, 2026, warning that the proposed framework could significantly undermine press freedom and freedom of expression. The demand emerged from a joint meeting held at the Press Club of India in New Delhi, where representatives from six major bodies, including the Editors’ Guild of India and DIGIPUB, expressed alarm over what they described as a growing architecture of digital censorship....

April 13, 2026 - Kenya - A Kenyan journalist has alleged that he is being targeted by authorities linked to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, claiming he is facing surveillance and intimidation following critical reporting on Tanzania’s government. The allegations were made by TV47 journalist Billy Miya, who says he and his co-host have been subjected to monitoring and threats connected to their on-air commentary on Tanzanian politics. According to his claims, the pressure intensified after their program, which regularly discusses regional political developments, drew attention from authorities in Dar es Salaam. Miya has...

April 13, 2026 - Afghanistan - The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) has expressed serious concern over the detention and reported conditions of several journalists held by the Taliban, warning that their treatment reflects a deepening crisis for press freedom in Afghanistan. The organization says that arbitrary arrests and continued imprisonment of media workers are contributing to an environment of fear and severe restrictions on independent journalism. According to AMSO, at least three journalists, including Shakib Ahmad Nazari, Bashir Hatef, and Hamid Farhadi, are currently detained in separate cases. The group reports that the psychological...

April 13, 2026 - USA - The Daily Sentinel is a longstanding local newspaper based in Nacogdoches, Texas, offering community-focused coverage of regional news, public affairs, and local events. Founded in 1899, the publication has operated for more than a century, positioning itself as a primary source of information for residents of Nacogdoches County and surrounding areas. Owned by Southern Newspapers Inc., the paper is published in a traditional broadsheet format and maintains both print and digital platforms. Its editorial scope includes breaking news, local governance, education, business developments, and community features, reflecting its role...

April 13, 2026 - USA - Concerns over press freedom in the United States have intensified as journalists, media analysts, and advocacy groups warn that actions and rhetoric during Donald Trump’s second presidential term are contributing to a more hostile environment for independent reporting. Criticism has centred on what observers describe as an escalation from verbal attacks on the press to more concrete measures that could affect media operations. Free speech advocates have pointed to threats of regulatory action against broadcasters accused of producing “biased” or “distorted” coverage, particularly in the context of reporting on...

April 13, 2026 - USA - U.S. federal authorities have launched an investigation into the alleged assault of a journalist during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, an incident that has intensified concerns about press safety amid escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement operations. The case is being reviewed by the FBI and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division following reports that the journalist was attacked while covering demonstrations outside the Whipple Federal Building. The journalist, identified in reports as independent media contributor Savanah Hernandez, stated that she was physically assaulted by multiple individuals while filming...

April 12, 2026 - Palestine - Six months after a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has warned that Palestinians across the territory remain unsafe, citing continued strikes, civilian deaths, and what he described as persistent impunity for violations. In a statement released in Geneva, Türk said that despite the ceasefire declaration in October 2025, Israeli military operations have continued in the form of airstrikes, gunfire, and shelling across multiple parts of the Gaza Strip. He said the pattern of violence reflects an ongoing disregard for...

April 12, 2026 - Saudi Arabia/USA - A Saudi journalist has drawn attention after issuing a sharp critique of the United States foreign policy and its role in Middle Eastern affairs, reviving discussion over Washington’s alliances and regional strategy. In a statement reported from Saudi commentator Mubarak Al-Ati, the journalist questioned the reliability of the U.S. as a security partner, pointing to past incidents in which he said Washington failed to support Riyadh during a major attack on Saudi oil infrastructure. According to his remarks, Saudi authorities had sought American assistance at the time but...

April 12, 2026 - Iraq/USA - The abduction of American freelance reporter Shelly Kittleson has triggered a sharp deterioration in Iraq’s media environment, prompting a wave of departures by foreign journalists and raising renewed concerns about the country’s safety for press workers. Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad on March 31, 2026, by members of the Iran-aligned militia Kataib Hezbollah while reporting on the ground. She was held for over a week before being released on April 7 following complex negotiations involving Iraqi authorities and international actors. As part of the arrangement, Iraqi officials reportedly released...

April 12, 2026 - Netherlands - A man convicted for his role in the murder of Dutch investigative journalist Peter R. de Vries has been stabbed in a violent incident inside a prison in the Netherlands, raising renewed concerns about security and ongoing tensions surrounding the high-profile case. The inmate, identified as Kamil E., is serving a 27.5-year sentence for his involvement in the 2021 killing, including acting as the driver for the gunman and conducting reconnaissance before the attack. The murder of De Vries, a prominent crime reporter, shocked the Netherlands and was widely...

April 12, 2026 - Syria/Kurdistan - Activists in northeastern Syria have staged a protest in the city of Qamishlo calling for the release of two journalists, Eva Maria Michelmann and Ahmed Polad, who were abducted in January while reporting in the country. Demonstrators gathered outside a United Nations office, holding images of the missing journalists and urging authorities to disclose their whereabouts. According to accounts presented during the protest, the two journalists disappeared on January 18, 2026, in the city of Raqqa while covering military developments. Witnesses reported that they had taken shelter with civilians...

April 12, 2026 - USA - The nonprofit newsroom Sahan Journal has been awarded the 2026 Columbia Journalism Award, one of the field’s most distinguished honors, recognizing its impactful reporting on immigrant and marginalized communities in the United States. The award, presented annually by Columbia Journalism School, celebrates outstanding journalistic work performed in the public interest. Founded in 2019, Sahan Journal has built a reputation for deeply reported coverage focused on immigrants and communities of color in Minnesota. Its reporting has examined issues such as immigration enforcement, labor, education, and public safety, often highlighting stories...

April 12, 2026 - Turkey - At the 2026 Metin Göktepe Journalism Awards ceremony, journalist Adnan Bilen used his platform to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty, while also drawing attention to the continued challenges facing press freedom in Turkey. The event, held annually to commemorate murdered journalist Metin Göktepe, serves as both a recognition of journalistic excellence and a reminder of the risks associated with the profession. During his remarks, Bilen emphasized that journalists killed while reporting represent not only individual losses but also broader attacks...