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Dear ,
The sense of isolation that accompanies human rights workers can be profound. When this is combined with gender-based threats and inserted in a context of global erosion of press freedom, the impact on mental health and well-being can be lasting.
Media Defence recognises these challenges, as well as the essential role human rights lawyers play in protecting press freedom. To support them, in 2023, we launched our Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Programme, designed to connect lawyers across regions and strengthen their professional development, confidence, and long-term growth.
Its most recent cohort marked a significant milestone: the programme’s first women-focused edition.
Over fourteen months, 22 women lawyers working on freedom of expression issues met across languages, regions, and career stages, forming a supportive community grounded in shared experience and collective learning.
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** Watch what Sri Lankan Human Rights lawyer Manushika Cooray had
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** to say about our Peer-to-Peer mentorship scheme
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** Media Defence Latest Updates
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** ECtHR Finds Violation in Azadliq Case Brought by Media Defence
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The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Azerbaijan violated the right to freedom of expression of Azadliq, a leading independent newspaper. Media Defence represented the outlet before the Court.
The ECtHR found that Azadliq’s reporting addressed a matter of clear public interest and that the AZN 30,000 defamation award imposed on the paper was disproportionate and capable of silencing critical journalism. In its judgment, the Court awarded Azadliq both pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages.
This decision comes amid a sustained crackdown on independent media in Azerbaijan—one that forced Azadliq to end its print edition in 2016 and saw its website blocked in 2017, ultimately pushing the outlet to continue its work from exile.
Read Judgment ([link removed]{%22itemid%22:[%22001-246124%22]})
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** Ariane Lavrilleux: Landmark Judgment for Source Protection to be Appealed by Paris Public Prosecutor
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** The Supreme Court Upholds Torture Convictions in the Case of Claudia Julieta Duque
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Watch Judgments v. Justice
On Monday 3 November 2025, Media Defence held a case-driven conversation on how regional courts and UN mechanisms can help in reducing impunity for crimes against journalists.
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** Partner news
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** Journalist Fatih Altaylı sentenced to 4 years, 2 months in prison for 'threatening the president'
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** Article by MLSA
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** Protection Order Against South African Journalist Thomo Nkgadima Set Aside
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** Article by Campaign for Free Expression
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** Conclusion of the criminal action against journalist David Chi Chi: a step towards justice and against the criminalization of the press.
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** Article by Propuesta Civica
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** The Bishkek City Court has amended the sentence against Kloop operators
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** Article by Media Policy Institute
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In Conversation with Tornavoz’s Charlene Nagae
Brazil’s media faces a paradox. Independent digital outlets are flourishing and diversifying coverage, even as journalists contend with legal harassment, coordinated online abuse, polarisation, and violence. Anoushka Schellekens, speaks with Charlene Miwa Nagae, Co-founder of Tornavoz, about the landscape, the threats, and how legal support and strategic litigation are key to ensuring this promising new wave of journalism can endure.
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** What Are We Reading?
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* LatAm Review: International organisations express serious concern over climate of harassment against Honduran press ([link removed])
* UNESCO: Latest report on SLAPPs and use of strategic litigation to counter them ([link removed])
* Free Press Unlimited: Press freedom in Sudan continues to crumble ([link removed])
* Tow Center for Digital Journalism and the Columbia Journalism Review: Journalism 2050 Podcast ([link removed])
* Guardian Op-Ed: Trump Shrugged off Khashoggi’s Killing. This Is a New Low, by Jodie Ginsberg ([link removed])
* Knight First Amendment Institute: Views on First Podcast ([link removed])
* Cartooning for Peace: Tough Laugh x Tough Law Podcast ([link removed])
** Stay Connected
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At Media Defence, we believe protecting press freedom is a team effort - and you’re part of that team.
If you know someone who cares about independent journalism, share this newsletter with them or invite them to sign up ([link removed]) .
Want to go one step further? Support our work with a donation ([link removed]) . Every contribution helps us defend journalists facing legal threats around the world.
And we’d love to hear from you! Just hit reply and let us know what topics you’d like us to cover in future newsletters.
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