UK government helped sanctioned Putin ally sue British journalist, prominent Cameroon journalist found dead after abduction, and a BBC documentary highlights growing social media censorship in India

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Revealed: UK government helped sanctioned Putin ally sue British journalist. The UK government helped the boss of Russia’s murderous mercenary army to circumvent its own sanctions and launch a targeted legal attack on a British journalist, openDemocracy can reveal.

Prominent Cameroon journalist found dead after abduction. Martinez Zogo’s kidnapping is the latest in a string of attacks against journalists in the African country.

A BBC documentary highlights growing social media censorship in India. The Modi government seems willing to go to extraordinary lengths to stop people from watching the documentary, entitled India: The Modi Question.

Reporters Shield: new program launches to help investigative reporters tackle lawsuits. The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, which provides pro bono legal representation to social justice and media organizations worldwide, and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, the nonprofit investigative newsroom and network, have launched Reporters Shield, a legal support program and defense fund for investigative journalists and newsrooms. The program has $9 million in initial funding from USAID with a further $2 million in private support secured.

In 20 Days in Mariupol documentary, the horrors of war are illuminated. “I really would like to believe that we did make a difference, because I guess that’s what journalism is about, to inform people so they make certain decisions,” said Mstyslav Chernov, Associated Press video journalist and maker of the documentary.

‘If it’s a fight they want, it’s a fight they’ll get.’ Meduza responds to the Russian authorities’ decision to outlaw their journalism.

Content from our partner McKinsey & Company

Tech resolutions for 2023:
McKinsey Technology leaders offer their insights on how business leaders can make the most of tech this year. Explore the entire collection here.

Pulitzer Center Annual Report 2022. The Pulitzer Center empowers a global community of journalists and media outlets to deepen engagement with critical underreported issues, bridge divides, and spur change.

Report for the World opens a new global call for local newsroom applications. Independent news organizations across the globe are invited to join Report for the World’s growing network of host newsroom partners, as it deepens its presence in different regions through editorial collaborations and professional development of its reporting corps. Apply by 20 February 2023.

How LinkedIn became the next best option for journalists and media leaders after Musk took over Twitter. A year ago, when I wanted to talk seriously to some journalists about LinkedIn being a worthwhile network for journalism, most of the time I was laughed at. LinkedIn was considered a boring place to be for a journalist. Skip ahead twelve months and LinkedIn is a serious contender to take over Twitter’s place in the lives of many journalists globally.

Informed app attracts big-name publishers to join curated subscription bundle. Paywalled publishers such as the Financial Times, Economist, Telegraph and NYT are on board.

“If we explain to our readers that we work for them, they’ll stand up for us in case of need.” Award-winning Czech reporter Pavla Holcová on why sharing is key in investigative journalism and how she uses fiction to avoid burnout.

Ntwali’s death is a huge loss for Rwanda’s challenging media landscape. Rwandan journalist John Williams Ntwali – who many believed was the last remaining independent journalist in the country – died last week. It has been reported that a speeding vehicle crashed into the motorcycle he was riding as a passenger in the country’s capital, Kigali, in the early hours of 18 January 2023. He was 43 years old and leaves behind a wife and child. 

Czech Republic: the would-be president and the press (that he owns). Former PM Babiš, who owns influential Mafra publishing house, faces second round run-off in closely watched presidential election.

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