Breaking Ground Impact Series: Ripostes

Breaking Ground is a new series on the impact of our work and the work of our partners, following individual cases and initiatives from the conditions that made them necessary through to what they have achieved.

The first is Ripostes, the first and only legal aid fund dedicated to the independent press in France, created by Media Defence and the Fonds pour une Presse Libre. Gag lawsuits are one of the main causes of declining press freedom in France, and they are increasingly brought outside the 1881 press freedom law on commercial or criminal grounds that offer journalists none of its protections. In its first nine months, Ripostes has made seven grants supporting three media outlets and eight journalists.

Case Studies

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Breaking Ground Impact Series: Ripostes

Senegal: Media Defence and SLS’s Rule of Law Impact Lab File Case Before ECOWAS Court Challenging Internet Shutdowns

Filing on behalf of AfricTivistes and Two Senegalese Journalists Seeks Interim Measures to Prevent Internet Shutdowns.   READ IN FRENCH

Focus on Turkey: Arbitrary Arrests and Abuse of the Legal System

The precarious state of press freedom in Turkey, entwined with a deteriorating democratic environment, poses significant challenges to journalists. Increasingly

Arshad Sharif speaks into microphone

The Killing of Arshad Sharif: One Year On, Justice Remains Elusive

23 October 2023 marks one year since the killing of prominent Pakistani journalist and news anchor for Pakistani broadcaster, ARY

Ending Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

November 2nd marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The threats and dangers that constitute a

ECOWAS Court

ECOWAS Court condemns internet shutdown in Guinea

The ECOWAS Court has issued its decision following an application by the lawyers for the applicants; Association Des Blogueurs De

Impact Publications

2025 Annual Impact Report: Defending Truth

Photo of journalists covering a protest

2025 Journalists Impact Survey

Annual Report 2024

2024 Annual Report: Legal Lifeline for a Free Press

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