press freedom
Trump Urges Xi Jinping to Release Ailing Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai
Dec 16, 2025 07:56 am CST
U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that he personally appealed to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the release of 78-year-old Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who was recently convicted on national security charges. Lai, the founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, faces potential life imprisonment as part of China's ongoing crackdown on Hong Kong's freedoms following the 2019 protests.
Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Convicted: The Decline of Press Freedom Under National Security Law
Dec 15, 2025 01:55 pm CST
Hong Kong pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai has been found guilty on three national security charges, facing potential life imprisonment. The 78-year-old Apple Daily founder's conviction represents a critical moment for press freedom in Hong Kong, as international rights organizations condemn the verdict. Detained since 2020, Lai's case highlights the ongoing tensions between democratic values and China's national security priorities in the former British colony.
Bangladesh February Election: Key Parties and Issues Following Hasina's Removal
Dec 11, 2025 09:21 pm CST
Bangladesh prepares for its first national election since Sheikh Hasina's ousting, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) emerging as frontrunner while Jamaat-e-Islami seeks political revival. This comprehensive guide examines the major political contenders, their platforms, and critical issues including democratic restoration, economic recovery, diplomatic realignment, and governance reforms that will shape Bangladesh's political future.
Polish Senator's Physical Confrontation With Journalist Raises Serious Press Freedom Concerns
Dec 11, 2025 08:03 pm CST
A Polish senator sparked nationwide controversy after attempting to remove a journalist's lapel microphone during an interview in parliament, raising significant concerns about press freedom and politician-media boundaries. The incident, captured on video, has prompted official ethics complaints and widespread public condemnation of the senator's physical intrusion into the female journalist's personal space.
Global Journalist Fatalities 2025: Israel Accounts for Nearly Half of Media Deaths According to RSF Report
Dec 09, 2025 03:32 pm CST
According to Reporters Without Borders' annual report, Israel was responsible for 43% of journalist deaths worldwide in 2025, with 29 Palestinian reporters killed in Gaza. The global journalist fatality count reached 67, with Mexico, Ukraine, and Sudan also ranking among the most dangerous countries for media professionals. The report additionally documented 503 journalists currently imprisoned across 47 countries, with China, Russia, and Myanmar identified as the most repressive nations for press freedom.
New York Times Challenges Pentagon's Unconstitutional Media Restrictions in Federal Lawsuit
Dec 05, 2025 02:59 am CST
The New York Times has filed a federal lawsuit against the Pentagon, challenging its new restrictive media policy as unconstitutional. Major news outlets including AFP, AP and Fox News lost their Pentagon credentials after refusing to sign the controversial policy, which allows officials to revoke press access for publishing unapproved content. Critics view this as part of a broader pattern of limiting journalistic access to America's largest federal department.
White House Defends Trump's "Piggy" Comment Toward Female Journalist Amid Epstein Questions
Nov 21, 2025 12:29 pm CST
The White House has defended President Donald Trump after he called a female reporter "piggy" during questioning about Jeffrey Epstein, claiming his remarks demonstrate the frankness and transparency that voters appreciate. This incident, which occurred aboard Air Force One and went viral, is part of a pattern of confrontational interactions between Trump and female journalists that has drawn criticism from press freedom organizations.
Manipur Journalists' Union Threatens Legal Action Against PUCL Over Defamatory Ethnic Conflict Report
Nov 07, 2025 04:14 am CST
The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) has issued a legal notice to the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) demanding withdrawal of their report on the Meitei-Kuki ethnic conflict, citing defamatory allegations. AMWJU contests claims of media bias and threatens civil and criminal proceedings if PUCL fails to respond within 30 days. The controversial report had recommended Supreme Court-supervised investigations into Manipur's ethnic violence and alleged state complicity.
Trump Urges Xi Jinping to Free Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai During High-Stakes Meeting
Nov 06, 2025 11:36 am CST
During a recent high-level meeting in South Korea, US President Donald Trump directly appealed to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the release of imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai. The 77-year-old founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily has been held in solitary confinement for over 1,700 days while facing national security charges in a case that has become symbolic of China's crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.
Trump Administration Restricts Journalists' Access to White House Upper Press Area Citing Security Concerns
Nov 01, 2025 07:17 am CST
The Trump administration has implemented new restrictions barring journalists from accessing the White House Upper Press area without prior approval, citing the need to protect sensitive information. This policy change, part of broader media access limitations, prevents reporters from freely approaching Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's office near the Oval Office while maintaining access to the Lower Press area adjacent to the briefing room.