Towards press freedom … new hope or false dawn?
This account of the debate on World Press Freedom Day, at the House of Lords in London, By WILLIAM HORSLEY, international director of the Centre for Freedom of the Media, and CJA Executive Committee member. The event was organised by the CFOM, with the support of the CJA and the Association of European Journalists. The 2023 […]
Can the Commonwealth survive without free speech?
By WILLIAM HORSLEY, International Director of the Centre for Freedom of the Media “Is it time to scrap the Commonwealth?” The question was met with laughter when asked at a gathering of Commonwealth insiders last January in Windsor Great Park, but it was meant seriously. Joel Kibazo, a former spokesperson for the Commonwealth Secretariat, observed […]
Nigeria at the crossroads after disputed election
Africa’s biggest democracy, Nigeria, is currently facing her toughest test since the 1967-1970 civil war where millions of Nigerians lost their lives. We are battling corruption more than ever in our history, terrorism (insurgency and banditry), secessionism, a debt crisis, police brutality, among other things. Because of this, many will argue that Nigeria is a failed […]
Indian journalists condemn “intimidation” of BBC
Picture shows Hindu activists demonstrating against the BBC in Delhi. The Press Club of India has strongly criticised the government over the searching of the BBC offices in Delhi by the tax authorities. A staement said the action against an international broadcasting network would damage the reputation and image of India as the world’s […]
CJA stands with international appeal over human rights in Rwanda
Human rights in Rwanda, including those of journalists, was one of the issues surrounding the heads of government meeting in Kigali. Twenty-four international organisations, including the CJA, sent this open letter to the delegates expressing grave concern. Dear Commonwealth Heads of Government, We, the undersigned civil society organisations, express our grave concerns about the human rights situation […]
Memories of a treasured institution
SYED BADRUL AHSAN takes an affectionate view of the BBC on its 100th anniversary. The BBC is a hundred years old. For those of us who have grown into adulthood, indeed are now fast approaching the twilight of life, the BBC has been part of life. Time was when listening to the BBC World Service, […]
Why are there so many laws against a free media in Bangladesh?
Recognise the media as an ally in democratic development, pleads MAHFUZ ANAM, Editor of Daily Star in Bangladesh With the numerous laws that already exist to regulate – or better still, suppress – the media, and the diligence with which new ones are being prepared, one would think that of all the areas that need […]
Harassing the media in Kashmir can only backfire
Argues CJA Executive Committee member BHARAT BHUSHAN The Jammu and Kashmir administration in India and the security forces are doing themselves a great disservice by creating an extremely coercive eco-system for journalists in the Union Territory. Those administering the territory are rapidly losing out on the critical feedback that could make the system more stable. […]
Memories of fleeing a Russian invasion in Ukraine – in 1940
By CJA Executive Committee member RAYMOND WHITAKER My mother, Marie-Joséphine, knows what it is like to flee a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Nearly 82 years ago, aged 15, she escaped from the far south-western town of Kolomyia into Romania with her mother and twin sister. Her father had been imprisoned by the Russians in Lviv: […]
How the media boom in Pakistan has a deadly downside
By Ehsan Ahmed Sehar, President of the Rural Media Network Pakistan The last three decades have increased freedom for the print media and a liberalisation of the broadcasting sector in Pakistan, while social media has changed the media scenario in the country. The transformation towards a freer political and media environment began in 1988 with […]