The war with Iran is creating a crisis for press freedom
March 16, 2026
News
The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented arrests, censorship, and intimidation of journalists reporting on the conflict across the Middle East. Reporters have been detained, newsrooms pressured, and internet shutdowns used to restrict the flow of information. Press freedom is essential during conflict. When journalists are silenced, independent reporting disappears - making it harder to verify events, document abuses, and hold governments accountable.
Transparency Win as Government Abandons FOI Law Changes
The AJF welcomes the government’s decision to abandon its proposed Freedom of Information reforms after listening to arguments from the AJF and other advocacy groups that these changes would have weakened - not strengthened - access to information. The bill sought to imposed new fees, banned anonymous requests and expanded grounds to refuse access to government documents - measures that would have made it harder for journalists, advocates and the public to scrutinise those in power.Access to information is a cornerstone of democracy. The government’s original bill was an acknowledgement that the current FoI system is broken and in dire need of reform. The AJF would be happy to work with it to create something that genuinely supports access to information.
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