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** Journalists murdered in Gaza: the UN must respond
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In Gaza, the Israeli army continues to target journalists with impunity: six media professionals were ([link removed]) assassinated last week, bringing the number of reporters killed since October 2023 to more than 200. To justify these killings, the army repeatedly makes false accusations. RSF, which has already filed four complaints ([link removed]) with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes committed by the Israeli army against journalists, calls for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council ([link removed]) , based on Resolution 2222 of 2015 on the protection of journalists in times of armed conflict. This massacre must stop.


** DATA - 39 journalists detained in Belarus
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Since Alexander Lukashenko's fraudulent re-election as head of state five years ago, on 9 August 2020, his grip on independent media ([link removed]) has continued to tighten: 39 journalists are currently detained in Belarus.
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** VIDEO - Female journalists targeted in Afghanistan
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“For the Taliban, women working in the media are a direct target,” said ([link removed]) Anoosha Ansari, a journalist forced to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power four years ago. Her warning comes at a time when more and more Afghan journalists are facing a rollback of asylum policies ([link removed]) in third countries.


** NEWS BRIEFS
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** RSF classified as an “undesirable organisation”
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The Kremlin’s campaign to silence free voices denouncing its censorship and propaganda continues. Vladimir Putin’s regime has added RSF to their list of “undesirable organisations,” ([link removed]) composed of foreign entities accused ([link removed]) of posing a “threat to Russia.” The lack of explicit grounds for this decision suggests that it is due to the organisation’s work as a whole, from theexfiltration of journalists ([link removed]) to the Svoboda satellite broadcasts ([link removed]) . RSF will continue to investigate and work to ensure that those responsible for crimes against journalists in Russia and Ukraine
are identified and brought to justice.


** RSF investigation: Beninese journalist kidnapped in Ivory Coast
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RSF has gathered new information about the arrest of Beninese journalist Hugues Comlan Sossoukpè ([link removed]) , a refugee in Togo, while he was on assignment in Ivory Coast, and his extradition to his country of origin. This new information confirms that the operation deployed resulted in a kidnapping, ([link removed]) rather than the lawful execution of a “mandate in the name of judicial cooperation with Benin,” as the Ivorian government spokesman had declared a few days after the incident.


** Hong Kong: Apple Daily founder faces life in prison
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Detained in Hong Kong ([link removed]) and denied medical care for nearly five years, the founder of the newspaper Apple Daily, Jimmy Lai, faces life imprisonment for simply doing his job. As the closing arguments in the trial of this iconic 77-year-old journalist begin, RSF, which has sounded the alarm about his deteriorating health ([link removed]) after more than 1,690 days in solitary confinement and called for his release, is the target of a smear campaign ([link removed]) orchestrated by Chinese propaganda media.

Europe: Member States must take action

The entry into force of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) on 8 August is a major step forward for the protection of journalists, media independence and pluralism, which Member States must fully embrace. After calling for a European awakening in its report ([link removed]) Pressures on public media: a litmus test for European democracies, RSF now urges rapid and proactive action ([link removed]) to ensure the effective protection of the rights, principles and freedoms that the EMFA aims to protect, such as guarantees to preserve editorial independence and prevent political interference.


** Police violence against journalists in Los Angeles
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At least ten acts of violence were committed against journalists by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on the night of 8 August 2025, in clear violation of a temporary restraining order issued in July against the police force. The organisation calls on the LAPD to respect this decision prohibiting it from using excessive force and to take urgent measures to end its unacceptable violent tactics, which have now targeted more than 70 journalists covering the protests. ([link removed])
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My case illustrates the total lack of press freedom in Vietnam. I am simply doing my job. I am interested in the suffering of my fellow citizens, I interview them, I give them a voice, and I hope that public pressure will prompt the government to change course.

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Excerpt from an exclusive interview ([link removed]) with Vietnamese journalist Doan Bao Chau, who is forced to live in hiding. Vietnam ([link removed]) is ranked 173rd in the RSF 2025 World Press Freedom Index ([link removed]) and is one of the world's worst countries for journalists.


** Pre-orders now available online: RSF & Ghibli, celebrating 40 years!
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In 2025, Reporters Without Borders will celebrate its 40th anniversary. And we are not alone: the legendary Studio Ghibli is also celebrating its 40th birthday! To mark the occasion, we are delighted to be working hand in hand with the Studio on a special album, the 80th issue in the collection. This new album pays tribute to the magical world of Studio Ghibli, the giant of Japanese animation that brought Totoro, Chihiro, Princess Mononoke, and many others to life. It is an immersive journey into the imagination and genius of the Studio’s two founders, Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki.
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** You can help: Make a donation to RSF to support journalists in Gaza
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As you read on RSF.ORG ([link removed]) last week, six media professionals were killed ([link removed]) in another Israeli strike on Gaza. We have filed four complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and are calling for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to protect reporters, but you too can take action to support journalists in Gaza and around the world by making a donation to RSF.

Every donation is an active step to support us in defending the right to inform and be informed, in Gaza and everywhere else.
➔ Donate ([link removed]〈=en_EN&reserved_origine=NLS342&utm_source=mailchimp&utm_medium=mailchimp&utm_campaign=newsletter-S342)
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