media-freedom2.005 min read
Hungary's Controversial 'Sovereignty' Law Sparks Media Backlash
2 years ago•Source: The Guardian
Media Freedom News
The latest media freedom stories, summarized by AI
Featured Media Freedom Stories
View original source
3.17 min•2 years ago
"Kansas Newspaper Raid: Publisher Vindicated as Seized Items Returned Amid Backlash"
The publisher of the Marion County Record, a Kansas newspaper, feels "vindicated" after the top prosecutor in Marion County withdrew a search warrant executed on the publication's office and returned all seized items. The raid, which sparked outrage and condemnation, was deemed to have insufficient evidence to establish a legally sufficient nexus between the alleged crime and the places searched. Press freedom advocates called for an explanation of how the search and seizure was allowed to happen, emphasizing that law enforcement cannot simply raid media organizations at will. The newspaper may consider legal action against the county, aiming to set an example and protect the rights of smaller outlets. The case highlights the importance of defending press freedom, as abuses of power can happen to any journalist or news outlet.
More Top Stories
2
Hong Kong journalist Bao Choy wins rare press freedom victory
The Washington Post•2 years ago
3
Hong Kong journalist wins rare appeal for media freedom.
The Associated Press•2 years ago
More Media Freedom Stories
Hong Kong journalist wins rare court ruling for media freedom.
Hong Kong journalist Bao Choy has won an appeal against her conviction for obtaining vehicle ownership records for journalistic purposes, in a rare court ruling upholding media freedom in the territory. Choy was trying to track down perpetrators of a mob attack on protesters and commuters inside a train station during the massive anti-government protests in 2019 for her documentary. The city’s top court unanimously ruled in Choy's favor, quashing her conviction and setting aside the sentence, stating that "bona fide journalism" should not be excluded from the phrase "other traffic and transport related matters".
Journalist arrested in Bangladesh for reporting on food prices under controversial digital law.
A journalist from a leading newspaper in Bangladesh has been charged with producing "false news" under the Digital Security Act after an article about high food prices went viral. The article included quotes from ordinary people talking about their lives on the occasion of Bangladesh's independence day. The Digital Security Act has been widely used by the government to muzzle journalists and critics, with nearly 3,000 people charged since it was enacted in 2018, including about 280 journalists. This has stoked concerns that Bangladesh is becoming increasingly authoritarian under prime minister Sheikh Hasina.