We are pleased to launch our 2023 Annual Report: Defending Critical Voices under Threat.
Sadly, it will not come as a surprise that there is increasing need for our support. Since our inception in 2008, we've witnessed a global decline in press freedoms. In 2008, 46% of the world lived in a "free" press environment; today, that has plummeted to 20%. This backslide did not slow in 2023. From arbitrary arrests and abusive lawsuits to online smear campaigns, physical violence, misuse of national security laws, spyware attacks, internet shutdowns and killings, critical voices are being endangered globally.
In light of these challenges, Media Defence is working even harder to confront them head-on.
In 2023, we were able to engage in a record number of strategic cases, supported even more journalists in need of emergency legal support, carried out more capacity building and training activities and worked with more local partners than ever before.
