This year’s federal Code of Silence Award was presented to the Government of Canada after more than 35% of access to information requests missed legislated deadlines in 2024–25—the worst on-time performance ever recorded.

A court ruling in the case of Tunisian journalist Zied El-Heni is expected this Thursday, May 7. El-Heni was detained on April 24, after criticizing a court ruling sentencing fellow journalist Ghassen Ben Khelifa in a social media post.

The latest 2026 Reporters Without Borders @rsfinternational paints a troubling global picture. For the first time in the Index’s history, more than half of the world’s countries now fall into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories for press freedom.

New joint statement from Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) and Canadian Association of Journalists on the recent changes to Ontario’s freedom of information laws. Access to information is essential for accountability, transparency, and the public’s right to know.

After nearly a decade of legal battles, the Philippine Supreme Court has officially closed the case against Rappler, an independent digital newsroom known for its investigative reporting and for holding power to account.

GLOBAL INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM NETWORK: How Israel’s Unprecedented Killing of Palestinian Journalists in Gaza Makes Accountability Reporting Almost Impossible gijn.org/stories/unpr... @gijn.org #journalism #journalismisnotacrime #pressfreedom

Three journalists were killed over the weekend in southern Lebanon while covering the war. Ali Shoeib, Fatima Ftouni and cameraman Mohammad Ftouni, from the media outlets Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeen. They were traveling together near Jezzine when their car was struck.

“The extent of Canada’s problem with far-right extremism stared me in the face on an ordinary Wednesday night.” 🇨🇦 After The Tyee published @rachelgilmore.bsky.social’s report on a white nationalist club meeting at a Montreal gym, today she reports the fallout.

CJFE condemns the public intimidation of journalist Rachel Gilmore following her reporting on white nationalist activity in a Montreal gym. 1/2

CJFE is proud to co-sponsor the panel “Can American Media Survive Trump and Billionaire Owners?”, organized by the Centre for Free Expression at TMU. Join the conversation on March 19, 2026 at 7 pm EST cfe.torontomu.ca/events/can-a...

COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS: CPJ to release 2025 report on killings of journalists worldwide cpj.org?p=563998 @pressfreedom.bsky.social #photojournalism #journalism #journalismisnotacrime #pressfreedom

The trial began this week for photojournalist Amber Bracken and The Narwhal, who are suing the RCMP over her 2021 arrest in B.C. while reporting on Wet’suwet’en opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

2025 has been one of the deadliest years on record for journalists. RSF reports 67 killed, 503 detained, 135 missing, and 20 held hostage worldwide. Most were reporting in their own countries and targeted for their work.

At 78 years old and in fragile health after years in detention, Jimmy Lai now awaits sentencing and could face life in prison. Critics warn the verdict sends a stark message about the future of press freedom in Hong Kong and around the world. www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...

The terrifying calls were placed from a Canadian telephone number to Rana Ayyub, a prominent journalist in India. www.thestar.com/news/world/d...

Last year’s CJFE Press Freedom Award winner, investigative journalist Rana Ayyub, is once again facing threats and harassment, this time from a caller using a Canadian number.

Elbows Up! Canadian Voices of Resilience and Resistance is a powerful new anthology responding to the U.S.’s shocking annexation threats and the wave of Canadian unity that followed.

Despite the ceasefire, independent reporting from Gaza remains severely restricted. @theconversation.com

CJFE and the Canadian Association of Journalists @cajournalists.bsky.social are proud to join UNIFOR’s #factcheckhere campaign, highlighting the vital role of credible news outlets in Canada.

Last week’s assassination of U.S. political commentator and conservative advocate, Charlie Kirk, quickly spread across social media, fueling grief and outrage.

BREAKING: Canada has now joined a coalition of 27 other governments in calling on Israel to allow immediate foreign media access to Gaza and to protect journalists.

Six journalists, including Pulitzer-winning Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, were killed in an Israeli strike near Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital. The UN condemned the attack as a “grave breach of international law.” Media groups, including CJFE, demand accountability & protection for journalists.

The U.S. Journalist Assistance Network has compiled a set of immigration resources for journalists in the U.S. 📩For safety advice or support contact: [email protected] ✈️Prepare to travel to the U.S.: cpj.org/2025/04/cpj-... 👩‍⚖️Understand legal issues you may face: www.rcfp.org/resources/im...

In a new piece for The Walrus, CJFE/Massey College Fellow Mostafa Al-a’sar reflects on what it means to lose access to news –twice. In Egypt, the state controlled access to news. In Canada, censorship comes from a tech giant.

A Globe and Mail reporter investigating political interference in Alberta’s health authority has been targeted by anonymous harassment, including surveillance, doxing, and a spoofed phone number.

Journalists in Gaza are now struggling to access food as the war continues and aid remains blocked. In a joint statement, the BBC, Reuters, AFP, and the Associated Press said their staff on the ground are “increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families.”

The dead have been buried and most journalists detained during Iran’s war with Israel have been freed, but the media are still reeling, as authorities disrupt internet access and crack down on critical voices with a new law. Read more:

#China: Through its #CollateralFreedom operation, RSF has restored #Cercle19 website access, blocked by Beijing. 1 year ago, this independent group published a landmark declaration for the right to information in 🇨🇳. Access to such resources is more vital than ever to counter the regime’s propaganda.

The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that this targeted strike on Iran state television comes amid a wider escalation between Israel and Iran. [1/2]

Reporters Without Borders @rsf.org has recently released their 2025 World Press Freedom Index, highlighting that economic fragility is now one of the leading threats to press freedom worldwide.

Honoured to take part in Free Speech Centre (formerly “Free Speech Hub) for their #WorldPressFreedomDay panel, on behalf of @cjfe.bsky.social. Please consider supporting their organization: freespeechhub.org

Bert Bruser, longtime Toronto Star lawyer and a pioneer of Canadian media law, has received the Career Achievement Award from World Press Freedom Canada @wpfc-lpc.bsky.social www.thestar.com/news/canada/...

Palestinian photojournalist Samar Abu Elouf — recipient of CJFE’s 2024 International Press Freedom Award — has just been named World Press Photo of the Year winner for her powerful image, “Mahmoud Ajjour, Aged Nine,” published in The New York Times.

The Code of Silence Awards — presented by @cajournalists.bsky.social, @cjfe.bsky.social and the CFE — spotlight governments and public bodies that go to great lengths to keep the public in the dark. 🔗 Read more: cfe.torontomu.ca/news/ontario...

The award, presented by @cajournalists.bsky.social, @cfetmu.bsky.social & @cjfe.bsky.social, highlights efforts to hide information the public has a right to know. 🔗 Read more: cfe.torontomu.ca/news/federal... #GovernmentSecrecy #JournalismMatters 🧵3/3

This week, an Israeli airstrike hit a media tent near Nasser Hospital, killing journalist Helmi al-Faqawi and injuring several others, as reported by Wafa and Al Jazeera. Deaths add to the casualty numbers in what has been declared the deadliest ever war for media workers.

On March 20, 2025, CJFE & WesternuFIMS hosted the panel: Canadian Politics in the Eye of the Storm at Hot Docs Cinema. Top journalists tackled disinformation, AI, media trust & U.S. influence ahead of the election. Swipe for key takeaways. #CJFE #PressFreedom

On March 20, top Canadian journalists take the stage at Hot Docs Cinema to discuss disinformation, polarization, and what’s at stake in the 2025 election. 🎟️ $10 (free for students). Presented by CJFE & FIMS. hotdocs.ca/whats-on/fil...

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Top Photos of the Month February 2025. apnews.com/world-news/g...? @apnews.com #photojournalism #journalism #photography

A free press is the backbone of democracy, but when those in power call journalists “enemy media,” they undermine the public’s right to truth and accountability. CJFE stands with those who risk their safety to report the facts. #PressFreedom #TruthDiesInDarkness #journalismisnotacrime

We are gravely concerned about the deteriorating health of British-Egyptian academic, HRD, and mother of Alaa El-Fattah, after being hospitalised over the night on day 149 of hunger strike. We reiterate our call for immediate and unconditional release. www.pen-international.org/news/uk-fore...

PEN America Dismayed by Judge’s Decision Allowing White House to Maintain AP Restrictions “This ruling, even if temporary, sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the fundamental principles of free speech,” -Tim Richardson, PEN America’s journalism and disinformation program director.

Today marks three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a war that has exacted a heavy toll on journalists. Since Feb. 24, 2022: 📍 13 killed 📍 47 injured 📍 18 arbitrarily detained 📍 Nearly 150 attacked (RSF)

In a recent article by IFEX, alarming new data reveals the rising threats to press freedom in Europe. There were 1,548 press freedom violations in 2024, targeting 2,567 journalists—an increase from last year. ifex.org/eu-members-a...

On November 19, filmmaker Larry Weinstein received CJFE’s Integrity Award for his film Beethoven’s Nine: Ode to Humanity. Weinstein’s documentary explores the unifying power of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony through eight powerful stories, uncovering its enduring message of resilience and hope.

We honoured Ran Ayyub for her bravery and tenacity at our @cjfe.bsky.social gala this year. As if to underscore all she has faced and faces, she went home she was doxxed horrifically. Please read and share her powerful piece in @postopinions.bsky.social . #JournalismIsNotCrime

On October 23,300 journalists and supporters gathered at the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression Annual Gala in Toronto to honor courage in journalism. It was a night dedicated to recognizing those who uphold the truth and stand for press freedom.