Paola Ugaz and the judicial harassment of journalists in Peru
Paola Ugaz is an award-winning Peruvian investigative journalist. In 2015, she co-authored – with Pedro Salinas – a book entitled Mitad Monjes, Mitad Soldados (Half-Monks, Half Soldiers). The book uncovers an alleged pattern of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse within the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Peruvian Catholic organisation. Paola Ugaz has since faced numerous lawsuits […]
European Court Grand Chamber finds conviction of whistle-blower in Luxleaks case breached his right to freedom of expression
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has held that the criminal conviction of Luxleaks whistle-blower Raphaël Halet in Luxembourg in 2016 was a violation of his article 10 right to freedom of expression. In doing so, the Grand Chamber has made some important observations about the vital role whistle-blowers increasingly […]
Citizen Journalist Elena Popa
In many respects, Elena Popa is a typical Romanian domestic carer working in Austria.
Press Freedom in Azerbaijan: ECtHR Delivers Judgment in the Case of Khadija Ismayilova
The European Court of Human Rights has delivered its judgment today in the case of award-winning investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova. The Court held that Azerbaijan had arbitrarily detained Khadija, in order to prevent her working as a journalist, and had violated her right to the presumption of innocence, when it arrested her on trumped up charges in December 2014 and held her in pre-trial detention until May 2016.
Malaysiakini: Supporting Independent News in Malaysia
“We were able to mount a successful challenge in the end that also created a bit of legal history in Malaysia because it established a right to a free press as a constitutional right.”
Italian Investigative Journalist Acquitted of Unfounded Libel Charges
“I was a freelance at that time. I knew that I was taking risks in writing the story but, to be honest, I thought more about the physical risks than being sued, because I was quite sure of the evidence I had found. It was, to me, a huge help and a relief to have the free legal assistance from a very good lawyer, Andrea Di Pietro, thanks to Ossigeno and MLDI’s support. Thanks to this support I never felt alone or intimidated during the last three years. It’s fundamental for freelance journalists who are not backed by a media company to get this free legal assistance. This is a shield to protect freedom of information.”
European Court of Human Rights Finds Azerbaijan Violated the Rights of Investigative Journalist Khadija Ismayilova
“It was a long legal fight, and I will continue demanding that the Azerbaijani government properly investigates the intrusion to my privacy and blackmail. I strongly believe that the Azerbaijani government officials were behind the secret filming and blackmailing, and my legal struggle will continue till the day when all perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
“I Will Keep Drawing Until the Last Drop of My Ink”
Malaysian cartoonist Zunar is challenging the sedition laws that could land him in jail for decades.
What Happened Next: Zheng Xi Choo, Singapore
“This case will have wider implications on Commonwealth jurisprudence, as more countries enact cyber-stalking and cyber-harassment legislation.”
“Fighting lawsuits is part and parcel of what we have to do – if you want to protect an ideal, there’s a price you have to pay.”
When Lance Polu from www.talamua.com in Samoa faced a defamation claim from a New Zealand lawyer, MLDI helped fund his defence. We talked to Lance to find out more.
What happened next: Bheki Makhubu, Swaziland
“I now find that, having been persecuted, I can write with greater freedom.”
“Really good journalism is about changing what’s wrong with the world.”
In 2015, journalists Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian from the small news website Phuketwan faced the powerful Royal Thai Navy in court – and won. We caught up with them six months on.