News - Alliance for Journalists' Freedom

Journalist Virgilio Maganes killed in Philippines

Filipino journalist Virgilio Maganes has been shot dead, in the second attempt on his life. Maganes was a commentator for DWPR radio station, and was 62 years old. The Philippines is 7th on the CPJ's Global Impunity Index, which calculates the number of unsolved journalist murders as a percentage of each country’s population. The Guardian published an article on Maganes'...

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Media Release: AJF calls for Voluntary Certification Program for Journalists

The Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom has called for a voluntary certification program for Australian journalists as an essential step towards building trust in journalism, and distinguishing journalists from what can be false and misleading commentary on social and digital channels. Professor Peter Greste, AJF spokesperson, says: “We believe that a voluntary certification program is needed now. As journalism and the...

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Stifling of media freedom in lead up to Myanmar Election

In the lead up to the Myanmar Election – which is now only a week and a half away – the country has seen a steep decline in media freedoms, in just some areas of the country, due to internet shutdowns. This means not all of the populace have the same access to information during the election period. BNI have...

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Government ban on NT Independent sets dangerous precedent

The NT's Government blacklisting of news outlet NT Independent seems to be based on personal relationships, rather than concerns about the journalism practiced by the outlet. The AJF commented, saying that the NT Government should reverse its position on the NT Independent immediately. "We can't imagine any Australian government — state or federal — would knowingly restrict press freedom. News...

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Media Release: re Aus journos evacuated from China

Peter Greste, Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom spokesperson can be quoted as saying: “Without any evidence of wrong-doing, the Chinese authorities’ treatment of the ABC’s Bill Birtles and Mike Smith from the AFR looks like harassment of respected journalists to make a political and diplomatic point. “Journalists should never be used as political pawns and hostages. Without Australian journalists operating freely...

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HK: Jimmy Lai cleared of intimidation charges

Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong media tycoon and owner of Apple Daily (a popular pro-democracy publisher), has been cleared of criminal intimidation charges, which offers a glimmer of hope that Hong Kong's judicial system is still operating independently. He still, however, faces charges for suspicion of colluding with foreign forces in the wake of the new national security law. Read more...

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Aus journo Cheng Lei detained in China

Cheng Lei, Australian journalist and TV anchor for the Chinese Government's English news channel, CGTN, has been detained for more than two weeks without explanation. Lei is being held in a form of detention where she can be held for six months and be questioned without access to a lawyer. Most recently, the Chinese government made its first official acknowledgement...

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Media Release: AJF calls for release of Cheng Lei

The Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom calls for Chinese authorities to provide due process to Australian TV journalist Cheng Lei, and release her immediately pending any judicial proceedings, in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (which China has signed). It also calls on the authorities in China to ensure that any judicial proceedings follow due process. On...

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PJCIS report announced: analysis

The long-awaited report for the Parliamentary Joint Committee for Intelligence and Security's inquiry into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and security powers on the freedom of the press was released yesterday afternoon, 26th August. The Alliance for Journalists' Freedom (AJF) has been working closely with the committee throughout the submission and hearing period. We welcome the report's...

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Covid-19 being used to crack down on journalism

Nieman Lab's Jenna Hand reports that the rise of misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted various governments around the world to introduce emergency measures that, whilst often described as being for the purposes of national security and to ensure public safety during the crisis, also significantly stifle journalists' ability to do their job. Julie Posetti, Director of Research at...