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
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.
Rifle Commander to be Tried for Sexual Violence
Wanted man believed to be in territory of Luhansk oblast, where he is serving with militia forces.
Tuesday, 28 November ‘23
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
Harsh Victory at Position X
Commitment, sacrifice and luck secured a vital early win in the south-eastern campaign, but can Ukrainian forces press on?
Rose Revolution Still Haunts Georgia
The political upheaval of 2003 was a seminal moment in the country’s history, but its legacy is up for debate.
Ukraine: Justice on the Frontlines
Kharkiv investigators bring skills, technology and perseverance to the risky task of documenting war crimes.
Tuesday, 21 November ‘23
This week’s overview of key events and links to essential reading.
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.
Focus on Central Asia: Ilkham Umarahunov
IWPR project manager who coordinated a project aimed at preventing violent extremism and training religious leaders in how to use social media to communicate with young people.
Focus on Lebanon: Vanessa Bassil
The founder & president of the Media Association for Peace in Lebanon which works with IWPR on Aswat Horra, a regional freedom of expression project.
Central Asia: The Power of Conflict and Protest
Online event assesses the regional lessons and consequences of political dispute.
The Karabakh Conflict: Rising Above the Fray
IWPR discussion facilitates rare opportunity for dialogue.
Syria: Empowering Women Through Journalism
“We fight a criminal regime as well as society’s restrictions.”
FakeWatch Africa
Website to provide multimedia training and resources for fact-checking and investigations.
Central Asia, Covid-19 and Climate Change
Event hears that falling oil and gas prices may be a barrier to implementing greener policies.
Moldova: IWPR Funds Emergency Response
Initiative launched to campaign for media freedom during time of crisis.
Africa's Fake News Epidemic and Covid-19: What Impact on Democracy?
Expert event to explore the impact of Covid-19 misinformation across Africa.
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.