The ECtHR ruled that Azerbaijan violated Azadliq’s freedom of expression, finding that sanctions imposed were disproportionate - an important decision amid Azerbaijan’s crackdown. MD represented Azadliq. Read more: https://bit.ly/3N2tKNK

The ECtHR Grand Chamber held that sanctioning a judge for FB posts violated his freedom of expression. MD submitted an amicus in the case, noting the importance of judges engaging with the press on matters of public interest. Read our comments here: https://bit.ly/4aQMDNE

Our offices are closed between 24 Dec and 5 Jan. If you require urgent support, please contact [email protected]

Our offices are closed between 12pm on the 24th of Dec and 9am on the 5th of Jan. If you require urgent support please contact [email protected]

We’re grateful to the lawyers and journalists who stood with us this year - your courage and expertise help defend the right to report. To keep supporting us in 2026, donate here: https://bit.ly/44CBJar Thank you for standing with us!

At the ARIJ 18th annual forum, Media Defence partnered with arijnetwork to host a regional litigation surgery bringing together lawyers from across the MENA region. Thank you to everyone who participated for sharing their insights and experience.

Angélica Cárcamo, Executive Director of Red Centroamericana de Periodistas, outlines the worsening press freedom environment in El Salvador 🎥 She told us about her work at our Litigation Surgery in Costa Rica with the UN Human Rights Regional Strategies Project for Latin America OACNUDH

In this video, Bruna Sanseverino, counsellor at our partner organisation @tornavoz.bsky.social, reflects on her experience at our Litigation Surgery in Costa Rica, held in collaboration with OACNUDH 📌 More participant interviews coming soon

We highlighted Dr Chutima Sidasathian’s case for #HumanRightsDay. Today, as part of that series, and as she faces her latest court hearing, we publish a long read on her work and the legal harassment she has endured for exposing corruption. 👉 Read here: bit.ly/45fIqiS

ECtHR rules that #Azerbaijan violated independent outlet, Azadliq’s freedom of expression, finding that fines imposed over its corruption reporting were disproportionate & chilling - an important decision amid Azerbaijan’s press freedom crackdown. Media Defence represented the outlet. bit.ly/3N2tKNK

#Romania: In a key ruling, the ECtHR Grand Chamber held that sanctioning a judge for FB posts violated his freedom of expression. Media Defence intervened, emphasising that while judges must be impartial, they are also crucial sources, not to be barred from public-interest debate. bit.ly/4aQMDNE

Sara Nuero Escobar, Coordinator of the UN Human Rights Regional Strategies Project for Latin America OACNUDH, discusses why our joint Litigation Surgery in Costa Rica is vital for equipping lawyers to better protect journalists across the region. 📌 More participant interviews coming soon

Sara Lidia Mendiola Landeros, Executive Director of our partner Propuesta Cívica, discusses her work safeguarding press freedom in Mexico at our recent Litigation Surgery in Costa Rica, held in partnership with the UN Human Rights Office OACNUDH 📌 More interviews with participants coming soon

1/5 🌍 On #HumanRightsDay, we highlight 3 journalists who exposed human rights abuses and have faced grave reprisals. Their stories underpin the human cost when press freedom is attacked, and the ongoing need to defend those who report in the public interest. 👇

Media Defence and OACNUDH convened a three-day legal workshop in Costa Rica, bringing together lawyers from across Latin America, to discuss how to strengthen legal defence for journalists facing lawsuits and harassment. 📖 Read more here: https://bit.ly/3XG82BB

🗞️ Don’t miss this month’s Press Freedom Newsletter: updates on our mentorship programmes, our latest webinar on impunity, Brazil’s new journalism movement, and the latest news on global press freedom from our partners and us. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/4oBpzpt

Thank you to everyone who joined our Asia Pacific Litigation Surgery in Kuala Lumpur! 12 participants from 10 countries explored FoE, privacy, digital rights, surveillance, journalist safety, SLAPPs and more. https://www.mediadefence.org/?post_type=news&p=28805&preview=true

Media Defence welcomes the court decision to set aside the protection order against journalist Thomo Nkgadima. While the ruling is positive, it underscores a worrying trend in SA: protection orders, designed for victims of domestic violence, are being misused to gag journalists. 👉 bit.ly/48cE3WA

As #GIJC25 ends in Kuala Lumpur, we’re grateful for an inspiring week with 1,500+ journalists working to uncover the truth despite rising pressures. Our panel on Privacy vs. Accountability tackled the misuse of regulation to silence reporting - and how journalists and defenders can respond.

We’re at #GIJC25 in Kuala Lumpur! 📍 Booth: Fri, Nov 21 — Foyer, opposite Hall 3 🎙️ Panel: Privacy vs. Accountability — 9:15–10:30 am, Nov 22 (KLCC L3, Room 306) 🛠️ Legal Clinic — Nov 21 and 22 (Room 304) See you there!

#France: Proceedings against @arianelavrilleux.com were dismissed - but the Court of Appeal plans to challenge the ruling, putting her at risk again. Her ordeal shows how national security laws are used to target those exposing potential state wrongdoing. 🔗 bit.ly/4qYkPfS

The Colombian Supreme Court upheld convictions of two former DAS officials for the aggravated torture of journalist @JulieDuque1, who faced over two decades of persecution for her reporting. Media Defence and @FLIP_org urge action in pending cases. 📖 bit.ly/3LBV1Gg

Missed our latest webinar? The recording of our session is now available to stream. Moderated by Media Defence’s Wiebke Hangst, the webinar featured Duy (Dan) Hoang, Tsema Ede, Furkat Tishaev, and Carlos Domínguez Hernández. 📺 Watch it here: bit.ly/47Qhk2C

Tomorrow, our CEO, @cegaio.bsky.social, will moderate a panel on legal defence against judicial harassment, with Santiago O'Donnell, @piruloar.bsky.social, @larryportera.bsky.social, and @anabejaranorg.bsky.social. 🗓️ Nov 6, 17:20–18:20 📍 COLPIN Conference 🔗 colpin.ipys.org

There's still time to register for our webinar about impunity for crimes against journalists and what human rights bodies can do to reduce it. Sign up today: https://bit.ly/47PNAUy

Thank you to all who joined our #IPIWorldCongress panel about the future of universal human rights in a changing global order. We’re also proud to have participated in UNESCO's new report on SLAPPs, launched during the event. Read the full report here: bit.ly/4hHAnRc

“Power hates transparency. That’s why journalists are always under attack.” Head to our website to read the full interview with Charlene Nagae and learn about Tornazov’s work in defending media freedom in Brazil. https://bit.ly/4ocEneH

At #IPIWoCo25? Join our Senior Legal Officer, Yuri Marchenko, and Leticia Kleim, Legal Coordinator with our partner Abraji, alongside other experts for a lightning session on resisting repression of press freedom. 📍Sophie Room 🕣12:05 CEST ipi.media/ipi-world-co...

We are at #IPIWoCo25! If you are here too come and say hello at our booth in room 1A, or join us for our panel today at 5pm: Defending Press Freedom in the New World Order 📍Maria Theresia Room

Today marks three years since the killing of prominent Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif who was fatally shot at close range by Kenyan police at a roadblock near Nairobi. Three years on, impunity persists. #JusticeForArshadSharif Read more: www.mediadefence.org/news/arshad-...

We’re excited to be part of the 14th Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Kuala Lumpur this November 20–24! Come say hi at our booth, and join Carlos Gaio and Padraig Hughes for our Drop-In Legal Clinic on Saturday, Nov 21 & 22. 📍 KLCC Level 3 – Room 304 #GIJC25

It's day two of the Trust Conference here in London! Come say hi if you spot us around - we'd love to connect #TC2025

How do Human Rights Bodies challenge impunity for crimes against journalists? Join the discussion at our upcoming webinar. 🎙️Wiebke Hangst, Media Defence 🎙️Duy (Dan) Hoang,  @viettan 🎙️Tsema Yvonne Ede, Human Rights Lawyer 🎙️Furkat Tishaev, EIN https://bit.ly/3JiecnA

Excited to be here at #TC2025 - come say hi if you spot us!

We’re heading to Vienna for #IPIWoCo25, 23–25 Oct! Visit us at our stand & don’t miss: 🗓️ 24 Oct, 17:00 – Defending Press Freedom in the New World Order w/ Pádraig Hughes ⚡ 25 Oct, 12:05 – Tales of Resilience w/ Yuri Marchenko See full programme: https://bit.ly/3ISWkQl

🗣️How do regional courts and human rights mechanisms help reduce impunity for crimes against journalists? 🎙️ Join our webinar - From Judgments to Justice: Human Rights Bodies vs. Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 🗓️ 3 Nov 🕓 14:00 GMT | 09:00 EST 💻 Online 🔗 REGISTER: bit.ly/4ot1ku3

🗣️How do regional courts and human rights mechanisms help reduce impunity for crimes against journalists? 🎙️ Join our webinar - From Judgments to Justice: Human Rights Bodies vs. Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists 🗓️ 3 Nov 🕓 14:00 GMT | 09:00 EST 💻 Online 🔗 REGISTER: bit.ly/4ot1ku3

🗣️ Should defamation be decriminalised in France? Join our Legal Consultant Marta Cabrera today at 16:00 (BST) for a panel on #SLAPPs and freedom of expression - part of Generations for Rights Over the World’s Building for the Future initiative. (Panel held in French) 🔗 Register: bit.ly/4ha8ReE

17 lawyers from 12 African countries met in Windhoek for Media Defence’s sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery - three days of sharing strategies, building networks & strengthening defences for press freedom. Read more 👇 🔗 www.mediadefence.org/news/sub-sah...

#Cameroon: Over 4 years after the UNWGAD found his detention to be arbitrary, journalist Tsi Conrad continues to serve 14yrs. Media Defence represented Conrad at the UNWGAD: mediadefence.org/news/un-body... Read Conrad’s story in his own words: www.ft.com/content/7e91...

📢 Media Defence has intervened at the ECtHR in a landmark case challenging Georgia’s ‘Foreign Influence’ law - a measure that labels NGOs and media as serving “foreign powers” and imposes intrusive oversight, chilling independent journalism. Read more here: www.mediadefence.org/news/media-d...

🌍 A huge thank you to our brilliant panellists at #FIFAfrica25 for an insightful discussion on resisting the misuse of surveillance tech to target journalists! 👤 Guy Valère BADANARO 👤 Jean Paul Ibambe 👤 Tsema Ede 👤 Ochiel J Dudley, FCIArb 🎙️ Marta Cabrera Martín

Final Day to Apply: Asia Pacific Litigation Surgery on Freedom of Expression in Kuala Lumpur, Nov 18–20, alongside #GIJC25. ⚖️ Explore key legal frameworks 📝 Refine litigation strategies 🤝 Connect with peers and experts 🌟 Fully funded travel, accommodation & GIJC tickets. 🔗 twp.ai/9PVlAp

Are you at #FIFAfrica22? Our Panel is starting now: 🎤 Surveillance Tech & the State: Legal Resistance to Digital Authoritarianism in Africa 👇

Our Fundraising Officer, Nefeli Custer, is at #UNCOVERED and #IMEdD this week in Athens! 📢 If you’re also attending and would like to learn more about our work defending press freedom, feel free to send us a DM to connect.

Are you at #FIFAfrica25? Want to learn more about how we defend digital rights and press freedom? Our colleagues are on the ground and would love to connect! 💬 Come find us at our booth today and tomorrow - or drop us a DM to arrange a time to talk!

Press freedom lawyers from the Asia Pacific: Apply by Sept 26 for @mediadefence.bsky.social’s Litigation Surgery on Freedom of Expression in Kuala Lumpur, Nov 18–20, alongside #GIJC25. 🌟 Fully funded travel, accommodation & GIJC tickets. 🔗 https://twp.ai/9PVlAp

Attending #FIFAfrica25 too? Join or upcoming panel: 🎤 Surveillance Tech & the State: Legal Resistance to Digital Authoritarianism in Africa 📅 Fri, 26 Sept | 10:15–11:45 📍 Omatako 1 We’ll also have a booth – come chat with us!

Calling press freedom lawyers in the Asia Pacific! ‼️ Deadline extended: Apply by Sept 26 to join @mediadefence.bsky.social’s Litigation Surgery on Freedom of Expression, Nov 18–20 in Kuala Lumpur, alongside #GIJC25. Travel, lodging & GIJC tickets will be covered. https://twp.ai/9PVl8a

Lawyers in Asia Pacific can still apply for our next Litigation Surgery! ✏️Gain skills, test legal strategies, network and get expert feedback on real cases. ✅ Travel & accommodation covered ✅ Tickets to attend #GIJC2025 🗓️ Apply by 26 Sept 👉 bit.ly/4g4Ldjo