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The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Killing of Al Jazeera staff in Gaza ‘silencing journalistic voices'
Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza was 'silencing of some of the few journalistic voices left' in the region, Ireland's deputy premier has said. Prominent Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, 28 and four of his colleagues were killed while sheltering outside al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on Sunday night. Another reporter was also killed in the Israeli airstrike. The National Union of Journalists is to hold a protest at the Spire in Dublin on Monday evening to condemn the killing of reporters and camera operators in Gaza by Israel. Ireland's deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris said he is to engage with his EU counterparts in relation to Gaza on Monday. 'Can I say firstly, just to extend the sympathy and solidarity of the people of Ireland with Al Jazeera and the journalists – the five staff members of Al Jazeera and the one other reporter – who have been killed in a horrifying attack in Gaza,' he said speaking outside Government Buildings on Monday. 'In many ways, it is the silencing of some of the few journalistic voices left in Gaza. 'Of course, any attack on any civilian – including, of course, any attack on any journalist – should always be absolutely condemned for what it is. 'At a time when the people of Gaza desperately need to see a ceasefire, an end to the violence, a surge in humanitarian aid, and of course, the release of the hostages, all of the indications from (Israeli President Benjamin) Netanyahu is of an Israeli government intended to go in the complete opposite direction to that. 'I do think it is interesting in recent days to have seen an increase in protest within Israel, Israeli people standing up and saying to their government 'not in my name'. 'Israeli people wanting to live in peace and security as well, alongside the Palestinian people and, of course, Israeli people rightly wanting hostages released immediately too.'
Reuters
4 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Ukraine buries reporter who died in Russian captivity, urges release of others
KYIV, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity last year, was buried in Kyiv on Friday, while her colleagues called for international pressure to secure the release of other Ukrainian reporters held by Moscow. Several hundred people gathered in the centre of Kyiv for a solemn ceremony to pay tribute to Roshchyna, 27, whose first-hand reporting provided a rare glimpse into life under occupation in the early months of Russia's invasion. "It is very sad... it is really about losing a professional who was braver than any of us," Nataliya Gumenyuk, a journalist, told Reuters. "We pay tribute while there are still other Ukrainian reporters behind bars, and with what has happened to her, it is our duty not to stop." Roshchyna went missing in August 2023 during a reporting trip to Russia-held eastern Ukraine. She died after a year in detention. The body of the journalist was discovered among bodies that Russia handed over to Ukraine earlier this year. Ukrainian forensic experts were unable to determine the cause of death, but found signs of injuries and possible torture, Ukrainian prosecutors have said. Moscow did not comment on Friday, but has previously denied allegations of torture. Ukraine's National Union of Journalists said that it had verified a list of at least 30 Ukrainian reporters who were in detention in Russia. Several of Roshchyna's colleagues who attended the funeral said that more political and international pressure on Moscow was required to help release the reporters. Ukraine and Russia regularly exchange prisoners of war, and several large swaps took place after Kyiv and Moscow met for three rounds of talks in the Turkish capital Istanbul. The exchanges typically include servicemen from both sides but not civilians.
Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Proposed defamation law reforms fall short of addressing free-speech concerns, say campaigners
Defamation legislation passed in the Dáil last week falls short of what is required to address adequately serious free-speech concerns, a coalition of media, journalism and free speech organisations has said. Thirty organisations including the National Union of Journalists , RTÉ and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties signed a statement calling on members of the Seanad to amend the Bill to include provisions to counter the use of so-called Slapps in areas such as copyright, data protection and privacy in addition to defamation, which is currently addressed. Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (Slapps) are legal actions taken, often by large corporate entities or wealthy individuals, to intimidate critics, often journalists or activists. The intention is often to shut down public debate or criticism by bringing an action the other party does not have the resources to fight. These have been widely criticised as a threat to free speech, transparency and the media. READ MORE The Ireland Anti-Slapp Network, which includes prominent lawyers and academics, described the present wording of the Bill as 'a missed opportunity to protect the freedom of expression that is the lifeblood of our democracy'. It said it had engaged with Government throughout a consultation process and suggested a number of targeted amendments it believed would 'significantly strengthen' the legislation, but these were not incorporated. 'While the Bill brings in provisions that give effect to aspects of the EU Anti-Slapp Directive, it falls short of transposing the directive's full set of minimum standards and protections, which Ireland is legally required to implement in full by May 2026″ the group says. Jessica Ní Mhainín, head of policy and campaigns at Index on Censorship said it was important that the Defamation (Amendment) Bill was changed. 'Its complex and flawed provisions risk becoming tools only accessible to those with significant legal resources – not the individuals most often targeted with SLAPPs,' she said. 'We need the senators to take action now to stop this inadequate Bill from being passed into law.' During a debate on the Bill in the Seanad on Wednesday, Fine Gael Senator Linda Nelson Murray said Ireland had the same number of defamation cases with 5.3 million people as the entire UK, which has a population of 68 million. The State 'continues to record the highest per capita rate of defamation litigation in the common-law world', she said. Ms Nelson Murray called for the introduction of a statutory harm test in defamation legislation to mirror the one in the UK 'where a statement is not defamatory unless its publication has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to the reputation of the claimant'. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said the biggest issue with current defamation law 'is the extent to which people are defamed online by anonymous, unknown individuals'. The proposed legislation includes a provision for someone to go to the Circuit Court and get an order for the service provider to identify the person who has been defaming them. It provides protection for 'fair and reasonable publication' and safeguards against Slapps in a bid to 'prevent the misuse of defamation laws to stifle public-interest reporting', he said. The Bill aimed to reduce legal costs and delays, support easier access to justice and provide 'enhanced protection for responsible public-interest journalism'. Mr O'Callaghan said abolishing juries 'will and should reduce the incidence of excessive or disproportionate awards'. Independent Senator Michael McDowell warned that if defamation cases 'can only be decided by a judge sitting alone' this would not be 'a happy change in our law'. In five or 10 years' time 'people in the media who want to get rid of all juries in all defamation actions' will question a judge who rules a number of times against media organisations and disbelieve 'particular kinds of witnesses', he said. Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan said that by removing juries the Government would 'take a sledgehammer to a core principle of our legal system'.
Free Malaysia Today
14-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Media to get 50% discount for AirAsia flights across Asean
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the AirAsia deal recognises media contributions and encourages deeper regional engagement. (Bernama pic) PUTRAJAYA : Journalists with valid accreditation cards from the information department will be eligible for a one-time 50% discount on return AirAsia flights to 57 destinations across Southeast Asia. Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the offer is part of a collaboration between the ministry and AirAsia in conjunction with Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean this year. Bookings will be open until Dec 31, 2025, with the travel period set from April to September 2026. The information department will announce the full booking details and mechanism soon. 'Thank you, AirAsia, for this generous initiative. It not only recognises the contributions of our media practitioners but also encourages greater connectivity and engagement within the Asean region,' Fahmi said at the National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2025 Summit at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today. In a separate announcement, Fahmi said the founding board of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) had been finalised and comprises 12 members, representing various sectors of the media industry. They include four representatives each from media companies, media associations and practitioners (including independent media), and the non-media sector. 'MMC will be making the announcement soon,' he said. Among the appointees are National Union of Journalists (NUJM) secretary-general Teh Athira Yusof, Astro Awani editor-in-chief Ashwad Ismail, and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) director Radzi Razak. Later, during a press conference, Fahmi said the MMC will come into force today as it had already been gazetted. 'With the establishment of the MMC, many of the concerns or issues that media practitioners may have wanted to raise can now be addressed through a meaningful platform that will continue to operate regardless of who is in government,' he said.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Fresh ageism row for the BBC after four axed senior journalists lodge discrimination claims
FOUR senior journalists have lodged complaints with the BBC in a fresh ageism row. Their separate — but coordinated — discrimination claims come as the broadcaster merges its home and foreign newsdesks. 2 Bosses hope slashing 130 jobs will help save £700million. But the four, said to have worked in warzones and the aftermath of terror attacks, fear they have been earmarked for compulsory redundancy. Their move follows a group of BBC News presenters going to an employment tribunal over ageism allegations. Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh settled their three-year dispute in March, with the terms not disclosed. The latest cases involve employees aged over 50 and thought to have more than 100 years of experience between them. Sources said they believe the process of applying for the new jobs concentrates only on their work over the past two years — and so is weighted towards younger candidates. Marks were also said to be deducted if applicants failed to mention keywords such as 'digital' or 'live page'. It is reported one of the individuals is a representative of the National Union of Journalists, which has hit out at the compulsory redundancies. Last night, the BBC said: 'Restructuring in BBC News is taking place according to established BBC policies. 'We conduct all processes in a thorough and fair manner, and we are committed to supporting our staff throughout, including through comprehensive redeployment assistance.' 2
