Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

IFEX @ifex.org · 3h

#Pakistan 🇵🇰 Pakistan Press Foundation said the attack is "entirely unacceptable, and the police must work towards protecting media professionals rather than becoming the source of their intimidation and assault."

Pakistan Press Foundation expresses outrage over violent raid, assault of journalists by police at the National Press Club - IFEX

Media groups described the incident as an attack on the sanctity of the press club.

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IFEX @ifex.org · 13h

#Ecuador 🇪🇨 FUNDAMEDIOS reports on attacks against journalists covering the national strike in Quito. (In Spanish)

Policías agreden a periodistas mientras cubrían el paro en Quito

Este domingo, durante la cobertura del paro en Quito, miembros de la Policía Nacional agredieron a periodistas.

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IFEX @ifex.org · 15h

#Oman 🇴🇲 @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social warns that new media regulations give authorities broad powers to suspend or revoke licenses and control content, further restricting media freedom and dissent. buff.ly/Tc7Z30U

IFEX @ifex.org · 16h

#Chad 🇹🇩 @hrw.org renounces the government’s decree revoking the citizenship of journalist Charfadine Galmaye Saleh and blogger Makaila Nguebla - a repressive move to silence dissent and intimidate exiled critics.

Chad’s Weaponization of Citizenship

On September 17 the Chadian authorities published a decree purporting to strip blogger Makaila Nguebla and journalist Charfadine Galmaye Saleh of their nationality. The move marks a chilling…

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IFEX @ifex.org · 18h

#Americas 🌎 The 2024 Informe Sombra, led by Voces del Sur with partners and IFEX members, shows violence against journalists in the region is structural, not circumstantial.

🔗 (PDF in Spanish) buff.ly/gWfu2jm

“2024 confirmed that violence against journalists in Latin America is not circumstantial. It is fuelled by the convergence of state repression, organised crime, abusive judicialisation, and stigmatising discourse from those in power.”

Informe Sombra 2024, Voces del Sur

IFEX @ifex.org · 19h

#Africa 🌍 A week after #IDUAI, we’re reminded how the continent leads on #AccessToInformation. In this podcast, Gilbert Sendugwa & Lamin Jahateh unpack why ATI laws are key to accountability, strong institutions & human rights.

IFEX Africa Brief - International Day for Universal Access to Information

28 September is the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), and this year’s theme focuses on the importance of ATI laws for building strong institutions. We invited two leading

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IFEX @ifex.org · 21h

#Europe 🌐 A new MFRR report reveals access to information is under threat. Focusing on #Germany, #Hungary, #Malta, and #Ukraine it finds journalists’ FOI requests are frequently ignored, partially-responded to, or blocked by the authorities. buff.ly/NsDxBgh

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IFEX @ifex.org · 23h

#Ukraine 🇺🇦 @efjeurope.bsky.social calls for an investigation into the Russian drone strike that killed French photojournalist Antoni Lallican and wounded Ukrainian journalist Heorhiy Ivanchenko. buff.ly/V4V2S8B

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IFEX @ifex.org · 1d

#Philippines 🇵🇭 The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said that in a "protest marked by numerous arrests and injuries, state actors — especially police officers — must not use force or deploy crowd-control measures to impede media coverage."

Journalists assaulted, obstructed, and exposed to tear gas during anti-corruption Manila protest - IFEX

Some members of media said they suffered injuries from police attacks directed at the press.

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IFEX @ifex.org · 1d

🌎 #Americas: @digitalaction.bsky.social @Observacom and the Forum on Information & Democracy, invite you to the launch of the report: “Shadow Banning: The Subtle and Hidden Censorship of Major Digital Platforms.” (Event in SP and EN).

Register here: 👉

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

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IFEX @ifex.org · 1d

#MENA 🌐 Access to information remains restricted across the region due to weak laws, poor enforcement, and limited oversight. @article19.bsky.social urges states to adopt effective RTI legislation and empower citizens. buff.ly/29KBba8 #RightToKnow

IFEX @ifex.org · 1d

#GuineaBissau 🇬🇼 The MFWA and SINJOTECS condemn the Supreme Court’s exclusion of three radio stations from a critical press briefing. buff.ly/qQOvDEH

IFEX @ifex.org · 1d

#WestAfrica 🌍 During this year’s #IDUAI2025, MFWA warned that weak ATI law implementation leaves investigative environmental journalists vulnerable to harassment & prosecution.

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"Environmental protection cannot be achieved without quality information. And quality information cannot thrive in contexts where civic spaces are restricted, and the work of journalists and activists is criminalised." Media Foundation for West Africa

IFEX @ifex.org · 1d

#China 🇨🇳 @oiwan.bsky.social of @globalvoices.org explores the crackdown being waged by China's Cyberspace Administration against “negativity” in society which targets influencers, fan communities, and internet users who “sell” antagonism and negative sentiments.

China’s Cyberspace Administration is suppressing ‘pessimistic and negative sentiments’ online

China's Cyberspace Administration (CAC) announced on September 22 the launch of a two-month campaign to curb content that incites antagonism and violence, and amplifies pessimistic and negative…

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IFEX @ifex.org · 1d

#Venezuela 🇻🇪 Espacio Público warns that WhatsApp remains under state scrutiny, with potential impacts on privacy and freedom of expression. (In Spanish)

WhatsApp sigue en el radar estatal · Espacio Público

WhatsApp sigue en el radar estatal

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IFEX @ifex.org · 1d

#France 🇫🇷 September saw several journalists assaulted by police while covering protests. @article19.bsky.social and MFRR partners call for an independent and swift investigation into these attacks.https://buff.ly/TUHqos2

IFEX @ifex.org · 2d

#Malaysia 🇲🇾 Centre for Independent Journalism & PEN Malaysia raised this question after Murray Hunter's arrest. "Is this a justifiable use of law enforcement and taxpayers’ money to pursue a political commentator abroad for alleged defamation against a public institution?"

Malaysia: Detention of political commentator Murray Hunter a suppression of free speech - IFEX

The Australian-born journalist and political commentator was arrested at Bangkok airport allegedly for defamation at the behest of Malaysian authorities.

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IFEX @ifex.org · 2d

#Bolivia 🇧🇴 Observacom warns of increasing electoral disinformation and the lack of active participation by digital platforms during the elections. (In Spanish)
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Elecciones en Bolivia: más desinformación electoral y sin participación activa de las plataformas - Observacom

En la primera vuelta de las elecciones generales de 2025 en Bolivia, la desinformación circuló con fuerza en redes sociales y plataformas digitales, pero la respuesta de las plataformas digitales fue…

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IFEX @ifex.org · 2d

#Palestine 🇵🇸 Targeting Palestinian human rights groups with sanctions undermines accountability and international law. CIHRS and 34 CSOs denounce this attack and urge states to protect defenders and their work.

34 CSOs Condemn US Sanctions on leading Palestinian Human Rights Organisations

As Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza escalates, enabled by US military and political support, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed…

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IFEX @ifex.org · 2d

#Kenya 🇰🇪 @globalfreemedia.bsky.social condemns the brutal attack and intimidation of journalist Habil Onyango, urging authorities to prosecute those behind the assault.

Kenya: Journalist Habil Onyango abducted, beaten – ipi.media

The IPI global network strongly condemns the attacks against People Daily journalist Habil Onyango on September 14 and calls on Kenyan authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute…

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IFEX @ifex.org · 2d

#Ukraine️ 🇺🇦 @globalfreemedia.bsky.social raises its concerns over proposed changes to Ukraine’s civil code, which would greatly broaden the scope of the country’s legislation on defamation.

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We call upon Ukrainian lawmakers to consult with civil society and representatives of the country’s independent media over the proposed legal changes, to avoid adopting a legal text which restricts journalists from doing their job.” - IPI

IFEX @ifex.org · 2d

#MENA 🌐 Across the region, governments are using broad legal powers to target CSOs, block funding, and criminalize civic work. IFEX members report on the human toll and the urgent need to protect independent civil society.

👉 buff.ly/muwCDb7 @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social @pressfreedom.bsky.social

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IFEX @ifex.org · 2d

#Myanmar 🇲🇲 @globalvoices.org features the story of Esther, a fellow of Exile Hub which assists displaced journalists and artists. Esther reports from one of the most dangerous conflict zones on the frontlines of resistance in Myanmar.

Meet Esther, an independent journalist reporting from the frontlines of Myanmar

“I have never been able to lie to myself or live in misery. If something doesn’t sit right with me, I have to face it head-on.”

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IFEX @ifex.org · 2d

#Bulgaria 🇧🇬 A press freedom delegation including @efjeurope.bsky.social calls on the Bulgarian government to refrain from attacking journalists, do more to tackle SLAPPs, and align domestic legislation with the European Media Freedom Act. buff.ly/JLXjo62

IFEX @ifex.org · 3d

#Pakistan 🇵🇰 An investigative analysis by @digitalrightspk.bsky.social highlighted how disaster-related misinformation "amplifies the hardships faced by affected communities, particularly marginalized groups."

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