Case Challenging Impunity in the Killing of Journalist Léo Veras Reaches the IACHR Six Years After His Death
On the sixth anniversary of the killing of Brazilian journalist Lourenço “Léo” Veras, the Institute for Environmental Law and Economics (Instituto de Derecho y Economía Ambiental – IDEA) and Media Defence have submitted a petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), concerning the responsibility of the Paraguayan State in relation to his death […]
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, […]
FPL and Media Defence launch “Ripostes”, a legal aid fund for independent media in France
This marks a first in France. The Fonds pour une Presse Libre (FPL), a French non-profit supporting independent media, and Media Defence have joined forces to create Ripostes – the first and only legal aid fund dedicated to supporting independent press in the country. The fund will become operational on 15 October 2025. This 50/50 […]
Launching our 2024 Annual Report
Read our annual report here.
Nika Gvaramia: Developments in Detention and Trial Highlight Serious Rights Violations
On December 4, 2024, at 3:30 PM, opposition leader, Nika Gvaramia was detained under circumstances raising serious concerns about due process and human rights in Georgia. Gvaramia arrived at the office of the opposition party “Coalition for Change” during an ongoing police search and requested to observe the proceedings, a right protected under Georgian law. […]
María Teresa Ronderos awarded Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize
We are proud to celebrate Media Defence’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, María Teresa Ronderos, on receiving the prestigious Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize. This award acknowledges her dedication to impactful journalism and her pioneering efforts to drive cross-border collaborations that strengthen journalism across Latin America and beyond. A renowned Colombian journalist, Ronderos is the […]
Media Defence Files ECtHR Case Against Azerbaijan’s Unlawful Detention of Journalist Imran Aliyev Ahead of COP29
Media Defence has filed a case at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against Azerbaijan on behalf of journalist Imran Aliyev, challenging his unlawful detention. As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29, Aliyev’s case underscores the systematic repression of dissenting voices in the country, casting a dark shadow over the upcoming climate summit. Imran Aliyev, […]
Media Defence Raises Press Freedom Concerns Over Spyware at Brazil’s Supreme Court Hearing
At a recent public hearing held by the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Media Defence and partners ABRAJI and Tornavoz highlighted the significant risks posed by authorities’ use of secret surveillance tools on personal communication devices. The hearing sought to hear civil society and the academy on the implications of spyware tools and how to mitigate […]
Media Defence and SLS’s Rule of Law Impact Lab File Case Before ECOWAS Court Challenging Senegal Internet Shutdowns
Filing on behalf of AfricTivistes and Two Senegalese Journalists Seeks Interim Measures to Prevent Internet Shutdowns. READ IN FRENCH Dakar, February 13, 2024 – Media Defence and the Rule of Law Impact Lab at Stanford Law School have filed a lawsuit before the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West […]
Claudia Julieta Duque: Ex agente del DAS condenado por torturas a periodista colombiana
Durante años, la periodista Claudia Julieta Duque fue sometida a una prolongada campaña de tortura psicológica a manos de la extinta policía secreta colombiana, el Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS). Desde 2001, Duque se enfrentó a una persecución implacable, desde el secuestro hasta la incesante invasión de su intimidad, pasando por la vigilancia ilegal de […]
Claudia Duque: Former DAS agent convicted for torture of Colombian journalist
For over two decades journalist Claudia Duque was subjected to a prolonged campaign of psychological torture at the hands of the now-defunct Colombian secret police, the Department of Security (DAS). Since 2001, Duque faced relentless persecution — from kidnapping to the ceaseless invasion of her privacy, encompassing illegal surveillance of phone calls, emails, and bank […]
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 Guinee (ABLOGUI), Association Villageois 2.0, Ligue Guineenne Des Droits De L’Homme and Centre Africain De Formation et D’Information Sur Les Droits Humains et L’Environment for judgment in default of defence. The case was filed at […]