IPI stands in solidarity with journalists, press freedom

The Executive Board of the International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed its support with journalists and the media community around the world as they navigate continuous attacks in carrying out their duties. In a statement signed by the 21 executive board members and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, they said there are alarming and […]

The Executive Board of the International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed its support with journalists and the media community around the world as they navigate continuous attacks in carrying out their duties.

In a statement signed by the 21 executive board members and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, they said there are alarming and escalating attacks on the press and other democratic institutions worldwide.

The 21 members, who are leading journalists, editors, and publishers from 21 countries, said they stand united in their unwavering commitment to the principles of press freedom and the indispensable role that a free media plays in supporting free and democratic societies.

They noted that the media serve as a critical function in holding the powerful to account, exposing government overreach and abuse as well as protecting fundamental rights and liberties.

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“We are in an unprecedented moment of geopolitical instability and change. Authoritarianism is on the rise and the institutions of free society — including the rule of law and fundamental human rights principles — are under tremendous strain. At this moment, the work that journalists and media do is more critical than ever.

“IPI was founded 75 years ago, also at a time of great global uncertainty and division, in the aftermath of the Second World War and as the Cold War loomed. IPI was founded on the belief that freedom of the press and quality, fact-based journalism helps build a better, freer and more peaceful world.”

It stated that for more than seven decades, IPI has stood at the forefront of advocating for the rights of journalists in the face of political pressure, censorship and repression.

“We have stood with journalists seeking to report the truth from behind the Iron Curtain, with those fighting censorship in apartheid-era South Africa, with reporters braving dictatorships in all corners of the globe, and with those risking their lives to document the truth in wars past and present.

“Throughout these decades, IPI has remained steadfast to its mission of defending press freedom and the rights of journalists wherever they are threatened.

“Today, we stand in solidarity with our members and colleagues across the globe, who continue to report even as governments and other powerful actors attempt to vilify, discredit, or silence their work.

“Now is the time to stand together and reinforce and protect the essential work that journalists do. Without a free media, there is no free world.”

The statement was jointly signed by Azhar Abbas, Managing Editor, Geo News Television, Pakistan; Raheem Adedoyin, Chairman, Editorial Board, Herald Newspapers, Nigeria; Simon Allison, Editor-in-Chief, The Continent, South Africa; Walid Batrawi, Media and communications expert, Palestine; Johannes Bruckenberger, Editor-in-Chief, News, Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF),  Austria; and John Daniszewski, Vice President and Editor at Large for Standards, retired, The Associated Press, U.S.

Other signatories are Barkha Dutt, Founding Editor, Mojo India, India; Borja Echevarría, Managing Editor, El País, Spain; Akio Fujii, Executive Chair of the Editorial Board, Nikkei Inc., Japan; Márton Gergely, Editor-in-Chief, HVG, Hungary; Alia Ibrahim, Co-founder and CEO, Daraj Media, Lebanon; Wolfgang Krach, Editor-in-Chief, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany; Espen Leirset, Editor-in-Chief, Innherred, Norway; and Anne Leppäjärvi, Degree Director, Haaga-Helia UAS, Finland.

Others include James Stephenson, Executive News Editor, BBC News, UK; Paula Miraglia, Founder and CEO, Momentum – Journalism and Tech Task Force/Co-founder, director general and publisher, Gama Revista, Brazil; Amelia Newcomb, Senior Editor, Christian Science Monitor, U.S.; Esther Ng, Chief Content Officer, Star Media Group, Malaysia; Elizaveta Osetinskaya, Founder, The Bell, Russia; Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace laureate, Co-founder & CEO, Rappler, Philippines, Professor, SIPA, Columbia University; Daryna Shevchenko, CEO, Kyiv Independent, Ukraine; and Ipek Yezdani, International Journalist, Türkiye.