Latest news with #ReportersWithoutBorders
NDTV
4 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
UK Government Says Chinese Spying On The Rise, Pledges $818 Million To Intelligence
Chinese spying and attempts by Beijing to undermine Britain's democracy and economy have risen in recent years, the UK government said Tuesday in a report on the Asian giant. Foreign minister David Lammy told parliament the Labour administration would invest £600 million ($818 million) in its intelligence services as a result of the findings. Prime Minister Keir Starmer commissioned an "audit" of Britain's relations with Beijing after he swept to power in landslide general election win last July. The report, published on Tuesday, recommended high-level engagement with China for a "trade and investment relationship" but also building "resilience" against threats posed by Beijing. "We understand that China is a sophisticated and persistent threat," but "not engaging with China is therefore no choice at all", Lammy told MPs. "Like our closest allies, we will co-operate where we can and we will challenge where we must," he said, vowing that meant "never compromising on our national security". Starmer has vowed to pursue a "consistent" relationship after the previous Conservative government first trumpeted a "golden era" of close diplomatic ties before relations became increasingly strained. The British PM hopes Chinese investment can help him achieve his main mission of firing up Britain's economy. But differences over Russia's war in Ukraine, Beijing's treatment of Uyghurs and Hong Kong -- including the imprisonment of media mogul Jimmy Lai -- pose hurdles to repairing relations. In a joint letter coordinated by Reporters Without Borders, 33 organisations around the globe wrote to Starmer on Tuesday asking him to meet Lai's son Sebastian. "As a British citizen facing an unthinkable ordeal, Sebastien Lai deserves to hear first-hand from the Prime Minister what the UK is doing to secure his father's release," said the letter, which was signed by groups including Amnesty International UK and Human Rights Foundation. Espionage allegations have also blighted the relationship in recent years, including claims that a Chinese businessman used his links with Britain's Prince Andrew to spy for the Communist Party. The report noted that "instances of China's espionage, interference in our democracy and the undermining of our economic security have increased in recent years". "Our national security response will therefore continue to be threat-driven, bolstering our defences and responding with strong counter-measures," the government said. Starmer's administration is due to rule on whether to approve Beijing's controversial plans to open the biggest embassy in Britain at a new London location. Residents, rights groups and China hawks oppose the development, fearing it could be used for the surveillance and harassment of dissidents.
DW
5 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Iran-Israel war: What tools are used to censor reporting? – DW – 06/23/2025
Accessing independent information is impossible in Iran at the moment. In Israel, videos showing military targets and destruction are censored, but observers warn that broader conflict reporting is also curbed. Early into the second week of the war between Israel and Iran, accessing information about the conflict has become more difficult in several ways. Last week, Iran first throttled internet speed and eventually shut down its internet. Iran's government claimed Israeli drones were operating via SIM card internet connections and that the internet shutdown was necessary to limit Israel's ability to wage cyber warfare. Consequently, websites, mobile apps and online messengers are inaccessible in Iran. That means news Iranians receive on the war, the death toll, destruction or this past weekend's US strikes comes solely from Iran's government and its state-led media. Iranian authorities have also banned international media correspondents, such as DW journalists, from reporting on the conflict on the ground. "My mother asked me to tell her what was happening," an Iranian man who lives in Germany and was able to call his mother in Tehran for a few minutes during the weekend told DW. He asked for his name not to be published for fear of reprisal. "She had no idea which parts of Tehran were hit." While obtaining news about the ongoing conflict from within Israel is possible, Israeli censor guidelines were updated last week. At the time of this publication, the discussion on a further tightening of the rules was ongoing. These guidelines are legally binding for local journalists and international correspondents. The new regulations affect Tania Krämer, the head of DW's Jerusalem studio. "Until now, any footage of military installations or troops had to be approved by the military censor," she said from Jerusalem. "Also, the faces of soldiers had to be blurred." Such footage has to be submitted to the military censor prior to publication. "On average, [the military censor office] releases the videos quite quickly," she said. Starting this week, rules have been updated. "Now it appears that we are not allowed to show live locations where missiles hit," Krämer said. According to the Israeli newspaper , Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Communication Minister Shlomo Karhi have issued new guidelines to the police allowing them to remove, or even arrest, journalists if they believe that media outlets are documenting sites or locations near them. "In Israel, all media outlets are compelled by law to submit any article or report related to security issues to the military censor," said Martin Roux, head of the Crisis Desk at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international NGO that defends press freedom, pluralism and the independence of journalism. "However, media outlets are not allowed to disclose the intervention of the military censor to the public," he told DW. He added that while this has been in practice for many years, censorship has increased since the Hamas terror attacks on Israel on October 7 2023. "Members of the Israeli government have used aggressive rhetoric against media outlets reporting on these wars in a way that contravenes the official narrative," Roux said. According to Haggai Matar, executive director of the independent Israeli online outlet , Israel's military censors barred 1,635 articles from publication in 2024. "This is the most extreme level of censorship since 2011," he wrote in a recent article on the website. While he echoed Roux's view that this is driven by various conflicts in the region, the military censors have not disclosed official reasons. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The latest Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders ranked Israel at 112 of 180 countries in 2025. This is a drop by 11 ranks compared to 2024, following an earlier drop from 2023. Further incidents, such as the ban of the Al Jazeera TV network, have increasingly curbed Israel's otherwise diverse media landscape. Al Jazeera TV was taken off air in Israel in May 2024, and their Ramallah studio was closed due to a "threat to national security," according to the Israeli military. Israel alleged that an employee of the broadcaster was a commander of Hamas, which is widely categorized as terror organization. Since then, Al Jazeera — financed by Qatar, which maintains ties with Hamas — is banned from reporting in Israel. The state-funded Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation Kan also came under governmental pressure in 2024. Ministers had called for privatization, saying there was no need or room for public broadcasting. In early 2025, however, this decision was postponed. In February, all of Israel's state-funded institutions had to sever ties with the country's established newspaper after publisher Amos Schocken criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. At the same time, pro-government outlets are increasingly being bankrolled, said editor Matar. And yet, the tech-savvy Israeli population is able to access information across the internet. Also, all apps and messengers are working, including alerts on incoming rockets from Iran. Israel also regularly announces online which areas in Tehran and other cities it plans to target. However, the internet clampdown in Iran has left people there largely unaware of these warnings. "Censorship has long been a central pillar of the Islamic regime's strategy to suppress dissenting voices," Damon Golriz, a strategic analyst at The Hague Institute for Geopolitics, told DW. "Social media is a crucial source of information for Iranians, but it also serves the regime as a powerful tool in its war on independent narratives through misinformation, disinformation and the repression of even anonymous users," Golriz said. Amid the current internet shutdown, several prominent activists have been warned or arrested, and in one case, the family of a London-based Iranian journalist was harassed, he added. For Mahtab Gholizadeh, an Iranian journalist based in Berlin, Iran's increased censorship goes beyond preventing Israeli cyber infiltration or keeping information about damage or the rising death toll from the population. "It is fear of internal unrest," she told DW. "The internet is a powerful catalyst for public mobilization, and the regime knows that in times of crisis, digital connectivity can serve as a spark for collective action against an authoritarian regime." In her view, however, the internet clampdown won't last long. "The Iranian regime knows that it will be unable to maintain a complete shutdown as technical and economic constraints will eventually force it to reconnect," she said, adding that this past weekend, a few selected journalists and loyal media were already granted access to what Iran calls the "white internet" — Iran's state-controlled internet.
Business Insider
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
10 African countries where press freedom is on the decline
The year 2025 continues to witness an alarming escalation of threats to press freedom across the globe, with several African countries experiencing some of the worst crackdowns on independent journalism and press freedom. Business Insider Africa presents 10 African countries with declining press freedom The list is courtesy of the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders African countries like Cameroon, Rwanda, and Somalia remain hostile environments for journalists due to ongoing conflicts and restrictive laws. At the core of this attack on press freedom as seen in some African countries is a complex interplay of factors, including political regimes tightening control over information, inaccessible legal systems, and the exertion of state and corporate influence to coerce the media into compliance, particularly in conflict-ridden or authoritarian states. According to the latest World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), press freedom in several African countries has deteriorated significantly, marked by some of the lowest global scores and a rising toll of detained and killed journalists. This decline is attributed to state censorship, legal crackdowns, insecurity, and financial pressures, which ultimately compromises media independence and economic viability. Notably; RSF's global ranking and scoring system assesses 180 countries based on five key indicators: political context, legal framework, economic situation, sociocultural conditions, and safety. Business Insider Africa highlights 10 African Countries where Press decline have reached alarming heights, based on their latest rankings, press freedom scores, and the number of journalists killed or detained this year: Country Index Score Global Rank No. of Journalists Killed or Detained Eritrea 11.32 180 14 detained Egypt 24.74 170 20 detained Rwanda 35.85 146 3 detained Ethiopia 36.92 145 6 detained Libya 40.42 137 1 detained Somalia 40.49 136 5 detained DR Congo 42.31 133 1 killed / 4 detained Cameroon 42.75 131 4 detained Tunisia 43.48 129 4 detained Nigeria 46.81 122 5 detained The 2025 RSF Press Freedom Barometer reveals the scale of the crisis: A Continental Crisis Eritrea remains at the bottom of the global rankings, characterized by a complete absence of a functioning press and the prolonged detention of at least 14 journalists without trial. Notable cases include Dawit Isaak and Seyoum Tsehaye, who have been imprisoned for decades. Egypt follows closely, maintaining a harsh grip on its media environment through military and political control. Currently, 20 journalists are detained under anti-terror and state security laws, while many independent media outlets have been shut down or forced out of the country. In Ethiopia, ongoing conflict and rising authoritarianism have reversed years of press reform. Six journalists, including Dawit Begashaw, are currently detained. Cameroon, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Somalia are consistently ranked among the most perilous for press freedom, plagued by ongoing conflicts and draconian laws that instill fear in reporters. The Democratic Republic of Congo has tragically lost one journalist, Patrick Adonis Numbi of Pamoja TV, this year, underscoring the precarious environment in conflict zones like eastern DRC. Nigeria, Africa's largest democracy, has dropped 10 places in the global ranking this year. According to RSF, five journalists are currently detained, and media independence is being undermined by financial dependence on state and corporate advertisers. As Reporters Without Borders (RSF) continuously collects global information on abuses against journalists, updating its press freedom barometer daily, it highlights the need for increased protection and support for media professionals worldwide due to ongoing threats and violence against journalists, In Africa and beyond.
Business Insider
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
South Africa leads Africa in the latest global press freedom ranking
Only three African countries rank in the top 30 globally, while economic pressure, political control, and insecurity undermine press freedom across the continent. The 2025 World Press Freedom Index ranks South Africa 27th, marking it as the top African nation for press freedom. Namibia and Cape Verde also feature in the top 30 globally, showcasing their commitment to press freedom standards. The report highlights the interplay between economic and political instability and diminished media freedom across the continent. In the newly released 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), South Africa has been ranked as the most press-friendly country in Africa, placing 27th out of 180 countries globally, a notable jump of 11 positions from its ranking last year. The country retains its position in the 'satisfactory' category, lauded for its reliable legal protections, pluralistic media landscape, and relative independence from government and corporate interference. Namibia (28th) and Cape Verde (30th) also rank in the same category, joining a small group of African countries that uphold press freedom standards alongside European and Asian counterparts. However, the continental trend remains concerning, with most African nations falling into the "difficult" or "very serious" press freedom zones and several experiencing record declines in media safety, legal protection, and financial sustainability. What the World Press Freedom Index Measures The World Press Freedom Index evaluates media freedom in 180 countries and territories using five key indicators: Political context, Legal framework; Economic context; Sociocultural context and Safety of journalists Score Range Zone African Countries Meaning [85 - 100 points] Good Journalism is fully protected; few or no constraints. [70 - 85 points] Satisfactory South Africa (27), Namibia (28), Cape Verde (30) Media is mostly free, but vulnerable to institutional or commercial pressure [55 - 70 points] Problematic Ghana (49), Mauritius (50), Senegal (74), Seychelles (59), Botswana (65), Malawi (72), Gabon (41) Structural issues and pressure from political or economic actors exist. [40 - 55 points] Difficult Nigeria (122), Tunisia (129), Cameroon (131), DR Congo (133), Somalia (136), Libya (137), Kenya (117), Benin (92), Togo (121), Guinea (103), Burkina Faso (105), Mali (119), Uganda (143), Burundi (125) Press freedom is significantly constrained; journalists often self-censor [0 - 40 points] Very Serious Rwanda (146), Ethiopia (145), Egypt (170), Eritrea (180 Journalism is dangerous or impossible; extreme censorship and violence occur RSF's findings highlight a concerning trajectory between economic elites' influence over media and editorial self-censorship. In many African countries, media outlets rely heavily on advertising revenue from state actors or politically aligned corporations, compromising their independence. Although some African nations demonstrate stability and openness, the media advocacy agency warns that the economic and political climate in much of Africa is becoming increasingly hostile to journalism. Despite challenges, RSF identifies South Africa, Namibia, and Cape Verde as examples of how legal protections, institutional accountability, and civic engagement can safeguard press freedom.
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Journalists sentenced to prison in Azerbaijan media crackdown
Seven journalists, including one from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, have been convicted on multiple charges and sentenced to prison in Azerbaijan. The verdict against RFE/RL's Farid Mehralizada and six journalists from Abzas Media, an independent Azerbaijani investigative outlet, marks the latest escalation in the country's crackdown on media. All seven journalists have dismissed the charges as politically motivated, and international rights groups have called for their release. Mehralizada, a RFE/RL journalist and economist, was sentenced to nine years in prison on Friday, RFE/RL reported. Abzas Media's director Ulvi Hasanli, chief editor Sevinj Abbasova (Vagifqizi) and investigative journalist, Hafiz Babali were all handed nine-year sentences. Reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova were sentenced to eight years in prison, and deputy director Mahammad Kekelov, to 7 1/2 years, Abzas Media said. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the sentences as 'outrageous' and 'the outcome of a purely political trial based on fabricated charges, aimed at silencing voices that expose corruption and injustice.' 'The Azerbaijani authorities may imprison journalists, but they cannot imprison the truth," the group's editorial director Anne Bocandé said. 'RSF calls for the immediate release of all Abzas Media defendants and urges international actors to intensify pressure on Baku.' RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus said Mehralizada was 'unjustifiably detained' and called for his release. 'Farid has already lost a great deal. Unjustifiably detained for more than a year, he missed the birth of his child, and now waits for elusive justice. Denying this man his fundamental rights is unnecessarily cruel. Instead of perpetuating this sham, it's time to reunite Farid with his family,' the statement read. Six Abzas Media journalists were arrested in November 2023. The authorities claimed that they had found 40,000 euros in cash in the outlet's office in Azerbaijan 's capital, Baku, and accused them of conspiring to bring foreign currency into Azerbaijan. Mehralizada was arrested in May 2024 as part of the same case, even though both he and Abzas Media said that he never worked for the outlet. Later that year, authorities levied additional charges against Mehralizada and Azbas Media journalists, including illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, document forgery and others. In his closing statement to the court, which RFE/RL shared with The Associated Press, Mehralizada said that 'the truth is that I have not committed any media is one of the greatest means of service to the state, the nation, and humanity. Unfortunately, journalism in our country today is almost equated with terrorism.' Weeks before Mehralizada's arrest, in March 2024, Azerbaijani authorities targeted another news outlet, Toplum TV, with raids and arrests on similar charges. In December 2024, Azerbaijani authorities arrested six more journalists on smuggling charges, including five of those working for the independent Meydan TV news outlet. Earlier this year, authorities withdrew press credentials from Voice of America and Bloomberg and shut down the BBC 's office in Azerbaijan. In a January 2025 report, Amnesty International said Azerbaijani authorities "have systematically silenced independent media through politically motivated arrests' and that those arrests, as well as shutting down independent news outlets, 'demonstrate Azerbaijan's continued crackdown on the right to freedom of expression and media independence, with fabricated charges weaponized to stifle free media.'
