Guatemalan Journalist José Rubén Zamora Released to House Arrest After More than Three Years in Arbitrary Detention
Guatemalan investigative journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín, founder of the now-defunct independent newspaper el Periódico, was released to house arrest on 12 February 2026 after spending 1295 days in pre-trial detention. Upon his release, Zamora told the waiting press, “As you’ve seen, I am paying for crimes I did not commit. Lies spread very quickly, […]
Khadija Ismayilova Secures Win against Azerbaijan at European Court
The European Court of Human Rights has found that the criminal conviction of Khadija Ismayilova, a renowned Azeri journalist and civil society activist, was baseless, unfair, and a violation of her right to freedom of expression. The Court has held that by bringing criminal charges against her, the Azeri authorities violated Articles 6, 7, 10, […]
Seeking Justice for the Death of Cameroonian Journalist Samuel Wazizi
Media Defence has filed a claim against Cameroon at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in the case of Cameroonian journalist, Samuel Abuwe Ajiekha, popularly known as Samuel Wazizi. In August 2019, Wazizi was arrested in connection with his critical reporting on the Cameroonian government’s handling of the Anglophone Crisis. His whereabouts was concealed for nearly ten months, despite countless attempts to locate him. In 2020, the government issued a […]
Thailand’s Ongoing Criminalisation of Investigative Journalist Chutima Sidasathian
This article forms part of our Human Rights Day Series, highlighting three urgent cases we are supporting to underscore the diversity of threats facing journalists and the profound impact of legal harassment, criminalisation, and impunity. Read our initial article here. In 2021, Thai investigative journalist Dr Chutima Sidasathian was targeted with five separate criminal defamation […]
Human Rights Day 2025: Three Journalists Whose Courage Endures
Each year on the 10th of December, Human Rights Day commemorates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its protection of fundamental freedoms, including the right to freedom of expression. But the day is more than symbolic: it asks us to recognise the threats facing fundamental freedoms and renew our commitment to defending them. As global democratic […]
The Supreme Court Upholds Torture Convictions in the Case of Claudia Julieta Duque
This article was originally published in Spanish by our partner Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP). Read the original here. The Colombian Supreme Court has rejected appeals filed by Emiro Rojas Granados, the former Deputy Director of the redundant Colombian secret police – the Administrative Department of Security (DAS) – and Néstor Javier Pachón […]
Ariane Lavrilleux: Landmark Judgment for Source Protection to be Appealed by Paris Public Prosecutor
On 9 October 2025, the Paris Criminal Court dismissed the proceedings against French investigative journalist Ariane Lavrilleux in the Egypt Papers case. During the hearing, the judge also reportedly recognised the public interest of the 2021 Egypt Papers investigation, co-authored by Lavrilleux for the independent outlet Disclose. The investigation exposed a covert French intelligence operation, known as Operation Sirli, in Egypt and alleged French complicity […]
“Our Laws Must Work for All”: Supreme Court Strengthens Nigerians’ Right to Information
Earlier this year, Nigeria’s Supreme Court affirmed that the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act applies across all levels of government reinforcing citizens’ right to access information. We recently spoke with President Aigbokhan, Esq. – lead counsel in the case and a valued member of our global network of press freedom lawyers – about this positive […]
Blogger Delfina Silvano’s fight against colonial-era incitement laws in Angola
In an encouraging ruling, the Tribunal da Relação de Benguela (Court of Appeal) in Angola dismissed the ‘rebellion’ case against citizen journalist and blogger Delfina Silvano – known online as Finúria – in April 2025, bringing an end to a legal battle that had lasted three years. The charge of ‘Rebellion’, under Article 329 of the […]
Media Defence Condemns Detention of Lawyer and Human Rights Defender Ruth López in El Salvador
Media Defence condemns the arrest of Ruth López, Chief Legal Officer at the human rights organisation Cristosal in El Salvador. López is a renowned lawyer and human rights defender. Her work exposing corruption and human rights abuses has earned national and international recognition, including being named one of the BBC’s 100 most inspiring women of […]
Our Journalist Impact Survey 2024
Explore Report We’re pleased to publish key insights from our 8th Journalist Impact Survey. The report shares findings and observations on the effectiveness and long-term impact of our legal and financial help, as well as the threats and trends affecting the journalists we support around the world. “The support I received from Media Defence has […]
Standing Up to Abusive Lawsuits: Legal Support Seminar with Ossigeno per L’Informazione
9 April 2025 | 15:00–18:00 CET | In-person and online | Italian (In person & Online) English (Online) Media Defence’s CEO, Carlos Gaio, will join Italian press freedom partner Ossigeno per L’Informazione in addressing SLAPPs and the urgent need for high quality legal support. On 9 April 2025, we will participate in the seminar “Intimidatory […]