Latest news with #ReportersWithoutBorders
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Media Watchdog Calls Out Trump For "Authoritarian" Attacks On Media
United States: Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders on Thursday slammed US President Donald Trump for his "authoritarian" attacks on the media since returning to office, accusing him of inspiring press crackdowns worldwide. Trump "has grown into a key figure in a global anti-journalism political movement," the New York-based RSF said in a statement. In the six months since his return to the White House, RSF said Trump had used "lawfare" and economic pressure on newsrooms, dismantled public media, banned outlets and undesirable wording, as well as smearing journalists and their employers. "Trump has matched years of verbally attacking journalists with new, concrete actions to limit press freedom. Many of these tactics are nothing new -- it's the same playbook we've seen press freedom predators employ around the world," said RSF USA executive director Clayton Weimers. "But it's clear that Trump has amplified this phenomenon, emboldening and inspiring other leaders to crack down on their own domestic media. The result is a disaster for press freedom globally." RSF also reported that it had tracked "at least 60 acts of violence against journalists during recent protests in Los Angeles against Trump's immigration policies." "This aggression towards journalists has been a staple of Trumpist politics," RSF said. In February, the White House restricted the access of US news agency Associated Press (AP) because it refused to use "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "Gulf of America," as the body of water was renamed by Trump. The Trump administration is also seeking to dismantle public broadcasting and has announced the closure of international radios Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia. His bid is facing legal challenges. RSF said the measures would deprive hundreds of millions globally of "credible information," promoting "propaganda" media by "authoritarian regimes" like Russia and China.
France 24
5 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Milei steps up attacks on media as election nears
The chainsaw-wielding, budget-slashing, libertarian president has recently taken to describing critical reporters as "human excrement," "trash," "baboons" and "prostitutes to politicians." A new slogan, "We don't hate journalists enough," has its own hashtag: #NLOSALP, which Milei adds to online posts. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has moved Argentina down 47 spots on its World Press Freedom Index from 2023, when Milei took office. It now sits at 87 out of 180 countries. The daily La Nacion counted 410 attacks by Milei on the press during his first year in office in speeches, interviews and on social media. Sixty journalists were assailed by name. "His mistreatment of journalists... has worsened in recent weeks as the government loses control of the narrative" and editorials express doubts about Milei's economic reforms, Hugo Alconada Mon, an investigative journalist at La Nacion, told AFP. Others say the president's anti-media stance is an essential part of his battle against what he calls "woke ideology." "It's a central theme since the government claims to be engaged in a 'cultural battle,' and since the narrative, by definition... goes through the media," said Gustavo Marangoni, a political analyst with the consultancy M&R Asociados. It is also common for populists, Marangoni added, to create "an enemy" for their supporters to blame for "a conspiracy... to prevent the success of libertarian governance." Since he took office in December 2023, Milei has made good on his promise to lower inflation. But it has come at a price of cutting thousands of jobs and slashing social spending, while concerns remain over Argentina's ability to shore up foreign reserves and attract investment. 'Journalist scum' Milei has filed eight lawsuits against journalists this year alone, two of which have been dismissed. At least one reporter is under police protection after receiving online threats and has filed a countersuit against Milei for intimidation. "Insults, defamation and threats from Javier Milei's administration toward journalists and media critical of his regime have become commonplace since he took office," according to RSF. Milei insists the media has only itself to blame. "All these journalist scum called me incestuous, a zoophile, homophobic. They called me a Nazi," he complained recently to a friendly streaming channel, Neura. "Then, when they face a backlash, they start whining." Shila Vilker of political consulting firm Trespuntozero said Milei's targeting of the media serves to maintain his image of a disruptor, to show "that he remains the same 'outsider' who came to power to fight the political-media 'caste'." This was particularly crucial to drum up support in the months leading up to October parliamentary elections, with Milei seeking to expand his party's representation. Vilker said that due to Milei's rhetoric, "the center is neutralized, polarization increases, and the message becomes clear: there is no room for the lukewarm" in the country with deep political divisions.
Int'l Business Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Milei Steps Up Attacks On Media As Election Nears
Argentine President Javier Milei has stepped up his attacks on journalists with defamation suits and insults that analysts say are designed to bolster his image as an anti-"woke" warrior ahead of October elections. The chainsaw-wielding, budget-slashing, libertarian president has recently taken to describing critical reporters as "human excrement," "trash," "baboons" and "prostitutes to politicians." A new slogan, "We don't hate journalists enough," has its own hashtag: #NLOSALP, which Milei adds to online posts. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has moved Argentina down 47 spots on its World Press Freedom Index from 2023, when Milei took office. It now sits at 87 out of 180 countries. The daily La Nacion counted 410 attacks by Milei on the press during his first year in office in speeches, interviews and on social media. Sixty journalists were assailed by name. "His mistreatment of journalists... has worsened in recent weeks as the government loses control of the narrative" and editorials express doubts about Milei's economic reforms, Hugo Alconada Mon, an investigative journalist at La Nacion, told AFP. Others say the president's anti-media stance is an essential part of his battle against what he calls "woke ideology." "It's a central theme since the government claims to be engaged in a 'cultural battle,' and since the narrative, by definition... goes through the media," said Gustavo Marangoni, a political analyst with the consultancy M&R Asociados. It is also common for populists, Marangoni added, to create "an enemy" for their supporters to blame for "a conspiracy... to prevent the success of libertarian governance." Since he took office in December 2023, Milei has made good on his promise to lower inflation. But it has come at a price of cutting thousands of jobs and slashing social spending, while concerns remain over Argentina's ability to shore up foreign reserves and attract investment. Milei has filed eight lawsuits against journalists this year alone, two of which have been dismissed. At least one reporter is under police protection after receiving online threats and has filed a countersuit against Milei for intimidation. "Insults, defamation and threats from Javier Milei's administration toward journalists and media critical of his regime have become commonplace since he took office," according to RSF. Milei insists the media has only itself to blame. "All these journalist scum called me incestuous, a zoophile, homophobic. They called me a Nazi," he complained recently to a friendly streaming channel, Neura. "Then, when they face a backlash, they start whining." Shila Vilker of political consulting firm Trespuntozero said Milei's targeting of the media serves to maintain his image of a disruptor, to show "that he remains the same 'outsider' who came to power to fight the political-media 'caste'." This was particularly crucial to drum up support in the months leading up to October parliamentary elections, with Milei seeking to expand his party's representation. Vilker said that due to Milei's rhetoric, "the center is neutralized, polarization increases, and the message becomes clear: there is no room for the lukewarm" in the country with deep political divisions. Backed by a "digital army that amplifies and multiplies the harassment," it also has the effect of intimidating potential critics into silence, she added.
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Journalist critical of Benin president extradited from Ivory Coast
A Beninese journalist living in exile was arrested under circumstances described as a 'trap' by his legal team. Ivory Coast has arrested and extradited to Benin a journalist critical of the small west African country's president, the reporter's lawyers said late on Sunday. Benin was once seen as a thriving multi-party democracy but critics say President Patrice Talon, in power since 2016, has become increasingly repressive. Hugues Comlan Soussoukpe, the publishing director of online newspaper Olofofo, had been living in exile in Togo, where he has held refugee status since 2019, according to his lawyers. Soussoukpe's arrest At the invitation of Ivory Coast's digital transition ministry, he travelled to Abidjan on July 8 for an online innovation forum. On July 11, Benin's press began reporting that he had been arrested in the Ivorian economic capital and extradited. Soussoukpe's lawyer, Charlemagne Dagbedji, confirmed on Sunday that he had been arrested. He demanded that his client's 'fundamental rights be strictly respected' and accused Ivory Coast of inviting the journalist 'for him to then be captured by the Beninese authorities'. ALSO READ: Four Ivory Coast opposition figures barred from October presidential vote Soussoukpe's legal team said in a statement on Sunday evening that he had been imprisoned in Ouidah, south Benin. 'Professional assignment turned into a trap' Condemning the arrest and his extradition, Reporters Without Borders urged Benin to release Soussoukpe immediately. 'What was supposed to be a professional assignment turned into a trap,' added the press freedom watchdog, known by its French acronym RSF. Neither Benin nor Ivory Coast had commented on the journalist's arrest by Monday morning. Online activist jailed Benin has previously been accused of kidnapping online activist Steve Amoussou from neighbouring Togo. Amoussous was detained in August 2024 and in June this year handed a two-year jail sentence for criticising the authorities. NOW READ: Wanted in SA: New extradition request to get Gupta brothers back gains momentum
Miami Herald
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Russia Makes ‘Unprecedented' Censorship Admission
The spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted what he called the "unprecedented" military censorship of media in the country, but defended it as necessary in the current circumstances, as Moscow's invasion of Ukraine thunders on. Dmitry Peksov, speaking to Russia's Expert magazine, acknowledged that many publications had closed down and journalists had left the country. "But do not forget the situation we are in," Peskov said, translated from Russian, in the interview published on Friday, July 11. "Now is the time of military censorship-unprecedented for our country. "After all, the war is also going on in the information space. And it would be wrong to turn a blind eye to the media that are deliberately engaged in discrediting Russia. Therefore, I believe that this regime is justified now." According to Reporters Without Borders, an advocacy group focused on media freedom, almost all independent media in Russia have been banned, blocked, or subject to censorship and other sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. "The remaining media are owned by the state or by Kremlin allies. Their employees must follow orders issued by the president's office regarding subjects to be avoided, and must censor themselves closely," says Reporters Without Borders. Most Russians consume news via television, whose channels are heavily controlled by the government. Peskov praised the Russian media for becoming increasingly "patriotic" in its coverage. "I think that most people have always had a sense of love for Russia and pride in it, but it was not customary for many media outlets to promote such an agenda," he told Expert. "I would even say that part of the editorial policy of a number of Russian media was to express skepticism towards their own country." But he said there "will come a time when a softer information policy will be in demand, and then we will see the emergence of more neutral media that write about both problems and achievements." This is a developing article. Updates to follow. Related Articles Trump Plans on Invoking Foreign Aid Law to Send Weapons to Ukraine'Isolationist Voices' Might Have Lost Footing With Trump After Iran: PenceRussia Kills Toddler in Drone Strike, Ukraine SaysNATO Frontline Nation To Build New Iron Dome 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
