Latest From SPJ International Community
Mexican elections, Hong Kong security law enacted, Afghan refugee coverage, Mention upcoming program
In this issue
Mexico Elections and Press Freedom
Hong Kong and Afghan Refugees
News of Press Freedom
ICYMI: March 2, 2021 - Press Freedom In Africa
Upcoming Programs
Mexico’s Elections and What It Means to Press Freedom and Journalists’ Safety
Mexico goes to the polls in June. What will the election of a new president and legislative assembly mean for the safety of journalists in Mexico and for press freedom?
Join former Associate Press Bureau Chief Katherine Corcoran and founder and editor-in-chief of Tijuana Press Vicente Calderone and they ponder this question and look at what the upcoming election means.
Register HERE.
Note from the SPJ-IC
Hong Kong passed a new security law, known as Article 23. This has been in the works for a couple of decades.
The SPJ was involved in opposing Article 23 when it was first introduced in 2003. At that time, a coalition of civil rights groups were able to prevent passage of the law at that time. However, at that time, freedom of speech, press freedom and multi-party elections were the norm.
Not so in 2024.
Beijing imposed a security law on Hong Kong last year that led to the demise of opposition parties, voices that question the government and has put press freedom in intensive care.
Now, with the passage of Article 23, Hong Kong, which was supposed to enjoy basic human right through 2047 is now “just another large city in China.” The law replicates the definition of “national security” and “national interests” from the from China where vague wording allows the arrest and detention of anyone raising questions about government actions.
It is a sad day for Hong Kong and for press freedom in Asia.
Amnesty International has an excellent summary of the situation in Hong Kong here.
On the positive side, the Washington DC chapter of the SPJ began a series of educational breaks within its monthly board meetings. Past discussions have been on non-profit journalism and a comparison of Threads and X (formerly Twitter). This week, International Community member Kami Rice spoke about her work helping Afghan refugees and how coverage of the refugee process could be improved.
Press Freedom News and Updates
Voice of America: Journalist Gershkovich Well Despite Year in Russian Jail, US Embassy Says
Voice of America: El Salvador Media Come Under Attack in Election Year
Al Jazeera: Hong Kong legislature passes tough new national security law
Reporters Without Borders: Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala: "I was released from jail thanks to your efforts"
Committee to Protect Journalists: ‘Back to the dark ages’: Editor Ataf Mohamed on Sudan’s wartime communications blackout
Reuters Institute: Race and leadership in the news media 2024: Evidence from five markets
Latin America Journalism Review: Argentina: 40% of attacks on journalism come from government
ICYMI
Media Freedom in Africa
March 2, 2021
Dr. Farooq Kperogi looks at the status of the news media in Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, and the threats to press freedom in the region.