** Donald Trump's war against journalism
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During his last US presidential campaign, Trump ([link removed]) escalated his attacks on journalists, threatening them over 100 times in a four-week span. Once elected, he turned his threats into action ([link removed]) against both American and foreign media. He launched baseless investigations into public and private broadcasters, ordered government agencies to cancel their news subscriptions, and removed access to thousands of government web pages. The White House also targeted the historic news agency the Associated Press (AP) ([link removed]) for failing to align their style guide with the president’s agenda. Meanwhile, the freeze on US development aid
([link removed]) has thrown international media into chaos, jeopardising crucial projects essential to transparency and democracy.


** DATA
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** 13 February: World Radio Day
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** VIDEO
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** Myanmar: the merciless crackdown
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Four years after the military coup in Myanmar, RSF shows how journalists resist repression in a country that is one of the world’s three top biggest jailors of media professionals.
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** NEWS BRIEFS
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** Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo: over 55 attacks on newsrooms and journalists in one year
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In the North Kivu province of the DRC, journalism is in jeopardy ([link removed]) . The situation has worsened, marked by the recent capture of Goma, the province’s capital, where access to information is more compromised than ever. RSF has documented over 55 violations of press freedom in the past year in this eastern region of the DRC, the zone hardest hit by the conflict between the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the M23 rebel group.


** 25 Palestinian journalists being arbitrarily detained by the Israeli army
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As of today, 25 Palestinian journalists, including 20 arrested since the start of the war in Gaza, are being detained by the Israeli armed forces. Their names include Alaa Al Rubuii, Alaa Al-Rimawi, Hamza Zyoud, Lama Ghosheh, and Somaya Jawabra ([link removed]) … RSF examines the circumstances of their arbitrary arrests.


** China: five years after breaking key stories on COVID-19, journalist Zhang Zhan is dying in detention
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Exactly five years ago, Zhang Zhan travelled to the city of Wuhan to cover the very beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the immediate release of this “information hero” who alerted the world to the pandemic and who is at risk of death ([link removed]) due to her prolonged hunger strike protesting her mistreatment.


** International Reporters: the new website where foreign propagandists spread Russian disinformation
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For over a year, the Kremlin-funded website International Reporters ([link removed]) has been masquerading as a professional news outlet in order to spread Russian disinformation. Using a misleading name that implies its content contains real journalism, the website assembles propagandists from all corners of the globe to promote the Kremlin’s false narratives that celebrate Russia’s foreign policy.


** RSF Files Complaint with the ICC for Lukashenko’s Crimes Against Humanity Targeting Journalists
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RSF has documented at least 589 cases of arbitrary arrests of independent media professionals ([link removed]) in Belarus — a country that counted around 2,000 journalists just five years ago. At least 43 journalists remain imprisoned, including Maryna Zolatava, former editor-in-chief of the country’s most-read media outlet, TUT.BY. These acts of persecution, targeting individuals for their journalistic activities — an offense that constitutes a crime against humanity — have led to the mass exodus of journalists.


** I want to reaffirm my support for all journalists who fight to inform the public. Shedding light on the truth is an essential combat. There is no democracy without press freedom. And press freedom also means freedom for journalists. The battles for press freedom are growing, becoming more sophisticated and more deadly. I am shocked by the impunity granted to those who murder journalists. Your work is essential, and we share your goals and concerns. Press freedom is a fundamental pillar of any democracy. The UN fully supports the work of RSF. You can count on us — we stand with you.
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António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, during his visit to RSF headquarters in Paris on 12 February 2025 ([link removed])


** HIGHLIGHT
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After developing the Charter on Artificial Intelligence and Journalism ([link removed]) , RSF has released a new report, SpinozAI: augmenting journalism with innovation and ethics ([link removed]) . Spinoza is the first AI tool designed in collaboration with journalists and news publishers to address climate change topics. Innovation in the media is possible, but it can only be achieved by actively involving journalists.
➔ READ THE REPORT ([link removed])
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｜RSF Report - Spinoza ([link removed])


** GOOD NEWS OF THE WEEK
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RSF is very relieved to hear confirmation that Niloofar Hamedi & Elaheh Mohammadi have been liberated. Released on bail on 14th January 2024, the two reporters jailed for covering the death of Mahsa Amini were pardoned this 12th February and according to their lawyers, their case is “closed”.


** YOU CAN HELP
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** Without borders but never without you
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Our right to inform and be informed is under threat, and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is appealing to the general public to join the fight to defend journalists and the right to reliable information. Donate to Reporters Without Borders today to help us protect those who take great risks to keep us informed.
➔ DONATE ([link removed]〈=fr_FR&reserved_origine=NLS071&utm_source=mailchimp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-S071)
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