World Press Freedom Day 2024
On World Press Freedom Day we focus on local journalists facing myriad challenges in the tireless pursuit of truth and their enduring efforts to bring meaningful change.
IN THIS ISSUE
Tanzania: Ethiopian Migrants Languish in Prison
Many remain trapped in detention due to a lack of resources to deport them.
Shor: Moscow’s Man in Moldova
Life in exile has not hindered the fugitive magnate’s political powers.
A Victim-Centred Approach to Prosecuting Sexual Violence
Ukraine is implementing dedicated policies including safeguarding and psychological assistance.
Russian Major General Accused of Ordering Abuses
Detainees were allegedly held in refrigerators and denied food and medical treatment.
Tuesday, 12 December ‘23
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
A Body in the Forest
Court hears evidence of the circumstances surrounding the death of a 32-year-old Ukrainian man who went missing in the Bucha district.
Integrating OSINT into Justice Processes
A Bellingcat initiative explores the admissibility and weight of open source evidence in the prosecution of war crimes.
Tuesday, 5 December ‘23
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
Training and Technology Support Justice Processes, But Challenges Remain
Authors of landmark study identify Ukrainian achievements amid ongoing hostilities.
Highlights from IWPR’s Consortium to Support Independent Journalism in Latin America (CAPIR).
An investigation by ContraCorriente, one of the investigative units IWPR supports in Honduras, revealed abuses including robbery, torture and kidnappings allegedly inflicted on citizens by police officers. The investigation also addressed how the state of emergency, in place since 2022, has allowed these abuses to occur with impunity. The authorities deny responsibility, claiming that organised criminal groups are using replica uniforms to pose as police officers.
A transnational publication by the investigative units of Plaza Pública and Criterio media revealed the huge extent of Asian cigarette smuggling in northern Central America. In addition to the health problems and millions of dollars lost to tax evasion, this also finances organised crime trafficking of drugs, weapons and humans. The investigation highlighted the failure of institutional efforts to stop this problem, aggravated by the complicity of officials who help falsify documents.
A story by the IWPR beneficiaries Guardiana and La Nube media outlets revealed the unauthorised sale of "medical preparations" to treat mental illnesses such as depression in a market in Cochabamba, one of Bolivia's largest cities. The story showed how products were marketed without information about their ingredients, including unlicensed natural remedies from Peru and Brazil. In response, the Cochabamba department of health announced it would increase the number of police operatives in the market where these products are sold.
Libya: Caught Between Conflict and Covid-19
Research highlights unique gender component of ongoing economic and health emergency.
IWPR Investigation Highlighted by Global Network
Article revealed massive corruption in Tajikistan’s car safety system.
Cambodia: Combatting COVID-19 Misinformation
Radio call-in show unpicks fake news and conspiracy theories around the virus.
IWPR Trainees Receive Bosnian Prize
Reporters honoured for work on those facing discrimination and exclusion.
Central Asia: Imams Turn Influencers
Ground-breaking IWPR programme trains moderate clerics to combat extremist propaganda online.
Covering Coronavirus in Cuba
Regime mismanagement and fake news continues to fuel the crisis.
Malala's IWPR Roots
Global pioneer for girls’ education began her campaigning work with flagship Pakistan project.
Fighting Corruption in Ukraine
Specialist guide proving key to stamping out graft.
Focus on Nigeria: Dayo Aiyetan
Founder and executive director of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in Nigeria, and IWPR partner on a project bringing media and civil society together to fight human rights abuses.
Ukraine Justice Report
Countering Disinformation in Moldova
Ukraine War Diary by Anthony Borden
Democratic accountability comes from journalists investigating their own societies – IWPR provides a much needed platform and support for those reporting from some of the most dangerous and difficult places in the world.
Disinformation is a major global threat , especially in conflict and post-conflict areas. IWPR performs a vital mission, building up local voices as a bulwark against this challenge.
IWPR fills a critical gap by helping local journalists to focus on human rights and justice issues. In the process, it contributes to democratic transitions, and demonstrates that the best war reporting is not about military conflict, but human consequences.