NEWS BRIEFS

Nine journalists liberated in Belarus!

Nine Belarusian journalists have been released after spending months — in some cases, years — in prison. Among them are Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty contributor Ihar Losik, detained since June 2020, as well as several journalists from the Poland-based exiled television channel Belsat TV: Irina Slaunikava (arrested in October 2021), Laryssa Shchyrakova (December 2022), Yauhen Merkis (September 2022), and Viatchaslau Lazarau (February 2023). Thirty-three other media professionals are still behind bars in the country.

“Gazawood”: The deadly accusations against Gaza’s journalists

A new RSF investigation reveals how journalists in Gaza have been relentlessly defamed and threatened since the start of the Israeli offensive in the Palestinian territory in October 2023, from doctored images going viral online to a new website made explicitly to discredit them. Israeli officials play an active role in these smear campaigns, which not only undermine the legitimacy of Gaza’s journalists but expose these reporters to danger, as such accusations are used to justify targeted attacks.

RSF meets with the President of the Republic of Gabon

Five months after the election of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who pledged to help the press “do its job,” RSF met with the Gabonese leader to present its recommendations to further strengthen press freedom in the country, which has seen remarkable progress: in just five years, Gabon rose from 121st to 41st place in the RSF World Press Freedom Index. Journalists still face several obstacles, including restricted access to official sources, reporters being summoned by authorities and the limited resources of the media regulatory authority.

France: police violence during “Block Everything” protests

From baton beatings to chokeholds to damaged equipment, RSF documented seven cases of journalists being physically obstructed by police while covering the 10 September protests spurred by the “Block Everything” movement. These violations of press freedom and the right to information contradict the country’s National Law Enforcement Plan (SNMO).

Big tech’s worldwide attempts to evade regulation

From Canada to Brazil to Indonesia, many countries are facing aggressive lobbying led by Google, Meta and other tech giants that aim to hamper laws designed to regulate digital platforms. An international investigation carried out by a consortium of 17 media outlets based in 13 countries — with help from RSF — sheds light on these shadowy tactics — which feed disinformation — through a series of over 20 articles.

GOOD NEWS

Finally free!

Columnist Adama Bayala and journalist Alain Traoré have been reunited with their families after being forcibly conscripted into the Burkina Faso military forces in June and July 2024, respectively. Their liberation is part of a wave of releases of journalists forced to join the army, which started in July 2025. Journalist Atiana Serge Oulon, however, remains missing.

RSF DOC

“Community Radios: The Fight to Keep the Sahel Informed”

The deteriorating security situation in the Sahel has made journalists’ work a real challenge, particularly for local media such as community radio stations. In a new original documentary, RSF delves into the daily lives of three journalists from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. “Community Radios: The Fight to Keep the Sahel Informed” premiered in Dakar and will soon be broadcast on the Franco-German television channel Arte.

Adama Sougouri

Director of La Voix du Paysan (Burkina Faso)

Fati Amadou Ali

Director of La Voix de la Tapoa (Niger)

Ousmane Abdoulaye Touré

Director of the radio station Naata (Mali)