World Press Freedom Day – and a huge win in Poland...

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** Press for the Planet
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** World Press Freedom Day — and a huge win in Poland…
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Dear John,

This World Press Freedom Day (3 May) we’re delighted to announce that, following decades of campaigning by ARTICLE 19 and our partners, Poland is planning to end criminal defamation against journalists!

Poland’s Minister for Justice announced the news last week as part of a package of measures designed to end SLAPPs, abusive lawsuits designed to silence critical voices, which are more prevalent in Poland than any other European country.

This is a massive win for press freedom – and press freedom is a cornerstone of democracy. An independent media ([link removed]) is vital to protect the public interest and ensure that information and ideas can flow freely, outside the control of powerful governments, corporations, and individuals.

Last week (25–26 April), ARTICLE 19 Europe, AGORA SA, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Prague Civil Society Centre, and Citizen Network Watchdog Poland hosted an international conference ([link removed]) on SLAPPs in Poland.

At the conference, Poland’s Minister of Justice, Adam Bodnar, announced new plans to tackle SLAPPS, including repealing articles 212 (defamation) and 216 (insult) of the Penal Code.

This will effectively mark the end of criminal defamation in Poland – as called for by civil society, including ARTICLE 19, for nearly 20 years!

The Minister also announced a goal to deliver a wide range of anti-SLAPP measures and introduce additional support, such as providing free legal aid.

ARTICLE 19 welcomes these promising declarations and stands ready to share our expertise with the Polish government.
Find out more ([link removed])


** Press for the planet
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While we celebrate Poland’s progress, we also need to turn our attention to the global climate crisis. Journalists are fundamental to exposing this crisis: what’s happening, how it’s affecting people, and who’s responsible. Their reporting equips us with the information we need to hold governments and corporations accountable.

Yet because they expose corruption and speak truth to power, environmental journalists face significant risks. Some pay the ultimate price, like Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips ([link removed]) , murdered in 2022 for investigating organised crime in the Amazon. Most experience less extreme yet still pernicious attacks, like online harassment and abusive litigation. All of these attacks are deplorable and have a chilling effect on freedom of expression.

But when we raise our voices together, we can protect journalists, defend press freedom, and hold the powerful accountable for their obligations – to society, to our planet, and to future generations.
A group of mostly women, with a couple of children, of mixed ethnicities, stand together raising their fists. They hold a placard that says "Justica para Dom & Bruno" (Justice for Dom and Bruno). They are wearing matching campaign T-shirts. Behind them is a large tree.

Cases like Bruno and Dom show the urgent need for innovative strategies to protect journalists, environmentalists, and Indigenous peoples in Latin America.

In December 2023, Brazil’s government committed to investigating Bruno and Dom’s murders and preventing others like them. The Ministry of Human Rights inaugurated a Working Group of government representatives, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and civil society organisations – including ARTICLE 19 Brazil and South America – to:
* fully investigate the murders;
* protect land rights activists in the Vale do Javari Indigenous territory, who have received death threats for seeking justice for Bruno and Dom; and
* implement measures to ensure such a tragedy cannot be repeated.

This was a huge victory for civil society – and ARTICLE 19 was heavily involved at every step of the way ([link removed]) .

ARTICLE 19’s Central and South America offices will be raising awareness of their progress, sharing strategies, and pushing for better protections for environmental defenders throughout May.


** World Press Freedom Day: ARTICLE 19 events
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From Brazil to Bangladesh, ARTICLE 19 is marking World Press Freedom Day with a series of events worldwide. We hope to see you there!


** Chile: World Press Freedom Day global conference
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4 May, 16:30–18:00 CLT

Santiago, Chile

ARTICLE 19’s Central and South America offices, in partnership with Foro de Periodismo Argentino, are co-organising a side event at the 31st World Press Freedom Day Global Conference ([link removed]) (hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Chile).

The session will bring together community journalists, Indigenous rights defenders, legal specialists, and regional experts to explore how, through international cooperation and innovative solutions, environmental journalists and communicators can conduct their vital work more safely.


** Brazil: Inter-American Court hearing on climate change and human rights
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27–29 May

Manaus, Brazil

In January 2023, Colombia and Chile submitted a request ([link removed]) for an advisory opinion to the Inter-American Court on Human Rights, seeking clarity on states’ obligations ‘to respond to the climate emergency within the framework of international human rights law’.

In December, ARTICLE 19 and partners submitted a joint amicus brief ([link removed]) urging the Court to use this opportunity to encourage states to adopt best practices in protecting environmental defenders – including supporting victims of violations, implementing the Escazú Agreement, combating SLAPPs, and increasing corporate obligations.

From 27–29 May in Manaus, Brazil, the Court will hold its second public hearing on this request for an advisory opinion.

This is a historic opportunity for the Court – and the world – to hear directly from communities about the risks posed by climate change.

ARTICLE 19 Brazil and South America will host 2 side events at the hearing, focusing on freedom of expression during protests, protecting environmental human rights defenders, and SLAPPs in Latin America.


** Senegal: Exhibition and event on how journalism can better serve the planet
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3 May, 08:30–13:00 GMT

Place du Souvenir Africain, Senegal

ARTICLE 19 Senegal and West Africa and partners, including UNESCO and the Panos West Africa Institute, present a morning of talks and a photography exhibition exploring how journalism can better serve the planet.


** Bangladesh: Celebration of World Press Freedom Day
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2 May, 11:00–16:00 BST

Transparency International Bangladesh, Dhaka 1209

ARTICLE 19 Bangladesh and South Asia, UNESCO, and Transparency International Bangladesh will co-host a celebration consisting of 2 panel discussions.

The first panel will focus on environmental reporting and the second on the safety of journalists in South Asia, where, in 2023, around 13 journalists were killed and over 163 media professionals assaulted, harassed, or intimidated.


** Europe: Webinar on defending press freedom
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2 May, 14:00 CET

Online

Join the Media Freedom Rapid Response (which ARTICLE 19 is a member of) and the International Press Institute for a webinar on Europe’s press freedom battlegrounds ([link removed]) .

Leading editors from Poland, Slovakia, and Italy will highlight and debate key challenges they face as Europe gears up for a crucial election season. We will look at rising threats, what is behind them, and the support independent media need to counter them. Plus, we’ll debate what the EU elections mean for media freedom.


** To find out more about our events for World Press Freedom Day, visit our website:
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View all events ([link removed])


** Winners of our Ethical Journalism Awards announced!
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Illustration: a woman, depicted in black and white apart from her lips, which are red. She is wearing what looks like office clothing. She has shoulder-length dark hair and is looking away from the camera. The background is yellow. The words JOURNALISM WITHOUT COMPROMISE are depicted, in white, over the woman's torso.

As part of #CheckitFirst, our new campaign to promote ethical journalism as a defence against disinformation in the Western Balkans, ARTICLE 19 is delighted to announce the winners of our Ethical Journalism Awards:
* Aulonë Kadriu (Kosovo)
* Dragan Maksimović (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
* Ivana Milosavljević (Serbia)
* Đurđa Radulović (Montenegro)

Our warmest congratulations to all the winners, who will each receive EUR 1,000, a chance to write an op-ed for ARTICLE 19, and a study trip to Brussels and London.

By creating media that is accurate, honest, and impartial, they are helping to build a landscape where truth thrives, disinformation crumbles, and democracy flourishes.
Find out more ([link removed])

‘What else do we have to expose and investigate corruption and maintain informed citizenry? When all levels of government and justice system are abusing power, where can people go with claims of that abuse? Only the press.’

–JoeAnn Hart

(American author and climate activist)

This World Press Freedom Day, will you help us protect journalists and media independence?
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