Divy Bhagia’s Post

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recently issued an important decision for investigative journalism and free speech. In the case of Zöldi v. Hungary, the investigative journalist Blanka Zöldi sought to access financial information from two foundations established by the Hungarian National Bank. Specifically, she requested the names of individuals who had received grants from these foundations. Her request was denied, and the refusal was subsequently upheld by the courts due to the absence of a legal provision authorizing the release of such personal data at the time. The Bank's foundations and their financing was a topic of significant public debate. Ms. Zöldi has contested this denial of information, invoking the right to freedom of expression. The ECHR confirmed that the denial of information to Blanka Zöldi was an interference with her freedom of expression. Such interference could only be justified if it was lawful, pursued legitimate aims, and was necessary in a democratic society. Legally, the refusal to disclose the names of the grant recipients was grounded in the Data Protection Act. Thus, the interference was considered lawful. The government argued that this refusal protected the personal data rights of the grant recipients, aligning with a legitimate aim. The ECHR scrutinized whether the restriction was necessary in a democratic society. It emphasized that restrictions on freedom of expression must convincingly meet a pressing social need and be proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued. The Court assessed the necessity of withholding the grant recipients' names, considering their relevance as public money recipients and the public interest in the transparency of fund allocation. The Court considered that the interests protected by the restriction were not compelling enough to outweigh the public interest in transparency or to engage the protections of privacy and family. Furthermore, the Court found that the domestic authorities failed to justify the necessity of the interference adequately, particularly as the legal framework at the time precluded any balancing of the competing interests of privacy and freedom of information. Ultimately, the ECHR concluded that there was no proportional justification for the interference, resulting in a violation of Article 10 of the Convention (freedom of expression). * This and other recent international rulings are summarized in the Facts and Norms Newsletter #4. Anyone can access it for free at https://lnkd.in/dPPtiXe9

The freedom of the press (translated from German) It may be annoying and sometimes even painful, but no democracy can function without free journalism. Sometimes you only really appreciate the value of something once you've lost it. When the National Socialists invented the Reich Propaganda Ministry in 1933; when SA troops stormed and confiscated the Dortmunder General-Anzeiger due to the publication of an unfavorable Hitler drawing; when Hermann Göring used the combat term >>>lying press< during a Reichstag debate and thus ushered in the bringing into line of the media: Only then did it become obvious to everyone what it was like to live in a country in which words are no longer free and so neither are people. Of all the fundamental rights, it is perhaps the most important: the right to say, broadcast, and spread something, be it praise or criticism, no matter how caustic, profane, or clever it may be like. In the USA, this right is engraved in the very first amendment to the constitution (which is supplemented by freedom of expression, assembly and religion), in Germany in Article 5 of the Basic Law, which states: >>Censorship will not take place.<< This sentence has a pure, clear power that draws its magic from the idea of absolute incorruptibility. This magic, which is also a lesson of history, must be defended again and again. It is not something static, but a gift that a democracy has given itself and that must be nurtured. Historically, this defensive struggle was primarily aimed at an overreaching state whose long arm sometimes wanted to reach into the editorial offices. Today the threats are more diverse: they can be found at demonstrations in which female reporters are spat on and beaten. They can be found in bot-controlled fake news that is specifically used to discredit a debate. But they can also be found in the dramatic withdrawal of journalism from entire regions in which it is no longer economically worthwhile to publish. Sometimes freedom of the press hurts until it grates, like in America, where - unlike in Germany - you can publicly praise Adolf Hitler (one of the very few restrictions on freedom of the press and freedom of expression in this country). And sometimes, oh dear: often what is said and sent is flawed, nonsense or even shamefully wrong. But the following always applies: without freedom of the press there is no freedom. It's that simple. Holger Stark, born in 1970, is deputy editor- in-chief of ZEIT and heads the investigative department

Mainstream journalism’s traditional function may be quietly changing. The adage-description of journalism’s fundamental function can remain the same, but revision of terminological representation is definitely in order. While it remains “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable,” there may be an alteration to what/who constitutes an “afflicted” and “the comfortable”.   As a good contemporary example, the new “afflicted” requiring news-media comforting includes the Israeli government and IDF in their mass-slaughter of Gazan innocents when in the past it would've been more likely (and rightly) the Palestinian civilians, as the latter resist having their ancestral lands gradually annexed and being cleansed from it [an inverse David versus Goliath].   Western corporate news outlets, including The Toronto Star and Globe and Mail, are either complicit in or actually support Israel’s continuing campaign of inflicting mass suffering and slaughter in Gaza. Too many have lost too much of their journalistic/editorial independence, ethics and even humanity.   Journalists and editors with genuine integrity would tender their resignations and publicly proclaim they can no longer help propagate their employer’s corrupt media product (be it from the Right or Left). It’s their ethical/moral duty to publicly call-out the self-compromised mainstream news-media for which they work(ed).   By doing so, such brave journalists/editors can at least then proclaim they will no longer complacently or complicitly assist in the corrupted news-media product’s creation and/or dissemination.   I hear of too many cases of employees not standing up in such situations to do what is necessary for the public or human good, instead excusing themselves with something like: ‘I needed to keep this job; I have a family to support’. I’m afraid that — unless, of course, they were actually forced into coupling, copulating and procreating however many years before — such familial obligation status does not actually ethically or morally justify their complacency/complicity.

Mainstream journalism’s traditional function may be quietly changing. The adage-description of journalism’s fundamental function can remain the same, but revision of terminological representation is definitely in order. While it remains “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable,” there may be an alteration to what/who constitutes an “afflicted” and “the comfortable”. As a good contemporary example, the new “afflicted” requiring news-media comforting includes the Israeli government and IDF in their mass-slaughter of Gazan innocents when in the past it would've been more likely (and rightly) the Palestinian civilians, as the latter resist having their ancestral lands gradually annexed and being cleansed from it [an inverse David versus Goliath]. Western corporate news outlets, including Canada's otherwise-socially-progressive Toronto Star and Globe and Mail metro-daily papers, are either complicit in or actually support Israel’s continuing campaign of inflicting mass suffering and slaughter in Gaza. Too many have lost too much of their journalistic/editorial independence, ethics and even humanity. Journalists and editors with genuine integrity would tender their resignations and publicly proclaim they can no longer help propagate their employer’s corrupt media product (be it from the Right or Left). It’s their ethical/moral duty to publicly call-out the self-compromised mainstream news-media for which they work(ed). By doing so, such brave journalists/editors can at least then proclaim they will no longer complacently or complicitly assist in the corrupted news-media product’s creation and/or dissemination. I hear of too many cases of employees not standing up in such situations to do what is necessary for the public or human good, instead excusing themselves with something like: ‘I needed to keep this job; I have a family to support’. I’m afraid that — unless, of course, they were actually forced into coupling, copulating and procreating however many years before — such familial obligation status does not actually ethically or morally justify their complacency/complicity.

This and other recent international rulings are summarized in the upcoming Facts and Norms Newsletter #4. Subscribe for free at https://lnkd.in/d6jw2EEP

Too often, under the guise of freedom of expression, pseudo-journalists and so-called commentators, coming from distant backgrounds from journalism, allow themselves to pour out their bile on social media, in the media, and on television sets. These individuals, devoid of any journalistic expertise, believe themselves entitled to speak about anything and everything, without any respect for truth, nuance, or human dignity. Their sole objective? To attract attention by sowing division and feeding prejudices. But enough is enough! Freedom of expression is not an excuse to spread lies, insult one's own country, or propagate toxic hatred. True media professionals have an ethical responsibility: to verify their sources, to present facts in a balanced manner, and to respect decency. Political satire, intelligent sarcasm, these are skills that can be learned! But these impostors pollute public discourse with their mediocrity and arrogance. It is time to demand a higher, more respectful, more constructive level of discourse. It is time to make room for true journalists and to encourage the new generation of young students from the Institute of Press and Information Sciences. We must put an end to this generation of incompetents who pollute the media and journalism scene. Why does the National Union of Tunisian Journalists not publish the list of its members? It is essential to know who the true professionals are and who the mercenaries of the profession are. This transparency would allow us to understand once and for all the notion of journalism. In the public media, for example, the journalist is the one who continues to work in service of the country while fighting battles in silence, whereas their 'colleague' mercenary of the profession profits from foreign funding, clings to the doors of their political party, and violates the principles of the journalistic profession. Claiming that the journalistic profession "could disappear" is an alarmist political discourse intended to scare the authorities and the public, but it will not affect true journalists, those who have studied Information and Communication Sciences. Legal Reform is needed regarding article 7 of decree 115, which facilitated the infiltration of hordes of intruders into the journalistic profession. The reform should stipulate that the journalist is the one who holds a degree in Information and Communication, without the mention "or equivalent." Since 2012, the sector has been flooded with intruders and mercenaries because of this article. It is time to change things and avoid situations where, in the name of freedom of expression and the press, incompetents end up in prison due to their incompetence. Decree 54 only intervenes when there are abuses of freedom of expression. So, it takes courage, recognition of mistakes, and determination to expel intruders from this noble field, to avoid putting journalists in prison.

A journalist is first a citizen. Andall citizens has the right to freedom of expression. As the forth estate of the realm in bridging governance, development and public access to factual and accurate information, inherent within this mandate for journalists is the right to press freedom. In my many years of practicing journalism either as a reporter, producer, editor, anchor, editor-in-chief, General manager, and publisher, I have experienced the high handedness of the abuse of law by agents of the law in many ways to suppress facts from being published. In those days, only men were arrested. However, as more women enter the space of journalism practice, the phrase has shifted from gentlemen of the press to members of the press or ladies and gentlemen of the press to show how diverse, inclusive and evolving journalism has become. Thus, more women in Nigeria have also experienced the harsh treatment from agents of the law in terms of unlawful arrest, invasion of privacy, cyberstalking and more. As we market World Press Freedom Day focused on "A Press for the Planet - Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis" here are some key pointers for discussion on this year's theme for World Press Freedom:- The importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis - The challenges that journalists face in seeking and disseminating information on contemporary environmental issues - The impact of dis- and misinformation campaigns on knowledge and scientific research methods - The role of media in promoting public awareness and understanding of environmental issues - The need for a comprehensive strategy to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution - The importance of protecting journalists and ensuring their safety while reporting on environmental issues - The role of digital platforms in disseminating information and promoting freedom of expression - The need for media literacy programs to empower users to engage and think critically in the digital environment. To all the women and men in media and communications development, I drink to your tenaciouness, your commitment and drive to ensure that our industry continues to be more responsible to its inherent values and role to both society and good governance for the public good. Lady E Ejiro UmukoroED, LightRay! Media Trainer, Author, and Mentor

" HE'S SLAPPING THE DEMOCRACY AND THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA" Democracy in any country cannot survive without independent and fearless Journalism. Journalists & reporters should be the most protected and empowered class of people in any progressive society. A free press should have the freedom to fearlessly highlight the issues concerning corruption and moral terpitude of the people occupying the highest seats of authority & power in the country, including Judge's of the Supreme Court of India. When ever a Journalist is attacked, jailed or murdered, it should be seen as an attack on the Democracy and the Constitution of India. A country without independent and fearless Journalism cannot be called a Democracy. Journalists are being singly targetted for doing their jobs, The 2021 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders has ranked India at 142 out of 180 countries, calling it “one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists.” BY REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS:- At least 13 of the 28 journalists killed since 2014 were working on environmental-related subjects, mainly land seizures and illegal mining for industrial purposes. Several were killed for taking an interest in India’s so-called sand mafia, an organised crime network that excavates sand illegally for the country’s booming construction industry. Closely linked to politicians and often protected by them, the mafia is quick to silence journalists who take too close an interest in its activities, and does so with complete impunity. JOURNALISTS INVOLVED UNDER TERROR LAWS? A total of six journalists are currently detained in India – including five under its terrorism laws. In the ten years that Narendra Modi has been prime minister, India has fallen from 140th to 159th out of 180 countries in RSF's World Press Freedom Index. IN 2023 Five journalists were killed and 226 others were targeted by state agencies, non-state political actors, anti-social elements, and criminals across India during 2023, says the India Press Freedom Annual Report of India Freedom of Expression Initiative. STORY:- BY PRIYA SINGH ( JOURNALIST) A Journalist is being assaulted and made to kneel down before a local thug and a bodybuilder called Bhura Pahalwan, the journalist had reported some news, the incident is of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

I attended a conference today (Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism ) I have some insights to share with you mostly to the young Journalist and media organisations. Theme : AI, free press, and civic space: Tools, challenges and future of investigative reporting. ☆ The role of Journalist (Investigative Journalism) in the society; Journalism is the most effective tool against corruption. ~Verification of Information and fact-checking is essential, Journalists should be able to work with other pillars of the society. Using Nigeria as a case study the police sees Journalist as alleys but it shouldn't be so cos they are partners. ~ The joy of being a Journalist is that Journalist helps people who can't speak with there voice, it amplifies the voice of the masses so everyone who matters can hear them. ~ There is a misplaced of content creator as Journalist. there are ethics in Journalism and everyone just ensure the follow each guidelines. *Contents is not Journalism* As Journalists we don't just publish we verify do our research especially things about national interest. - using Ai in generating report is unethical. in addition we discussed on method of protecting the media organisations and Journalist because the media organisations faces lot of challenges like late payment etc. ~There should be empowerment of Journalist both financially, emotional , mentally and many more ~ provision of materials for media houses it aids the media or Journalist to carry out there duties effectively. ~Having a proper base data of Journalist to keep track of the number of Journalists in a nation, this helps in safeguarding the Journalist because some of them can be threatened or missing because of the amount of Information the know about a personality or a news story ~ finally people in the grassroot should be trained in using technology, workshops in training the Journalist on how to create credible news and verify sources to avoid Misinformation, it's essential to invest time in verifying sources and credence of a story or information irrespective of the integrity of the media organisations. #InvestigativeJournalism #photojournalism #medialiteracy #Masscommunication #Journalists #journalism

Two years ago today: Colleague to colleague As some may have noticed, I am in Bratislava for a conference on how journalism has been affected by Putin's war in Ukraine. I helped organize the conference myself – in my spare time. And why is that? Because I believe that it is incredibly important to support your colleagues when they need it. They need it now! There is not much I can do about the incomprehensible war. But this, I can do: Show my colleagues that I am here and that I support their efforts to create a better future with journalism. I know that I cannot understand the crazy pressure they are under. My everyday life is not determined by random Russian missile strikes or torture and mutilation... and although journalism could perhaps sometimes have better conditions in Denmark, it could perhaps also shine a little more, journalists do not die every month in Denmark. There is no one in my family who died in war, no one I know who has lost everything, literally. I don't wear a bulletproof vest when I go to work and I haven't experienced all the horrors... But this is what I can do: I can create a few days when they are heard and feel that we - their colleagues - are here. And when the war is over and Ukraine has won. Then Ukraine will be a free and democratic country again. One thing I know, without journalists, no country or place is free or democratic. Freedom of expression is needed to suppress abuse, corruption and injustice. Journalism is the weapon that ensures that everyone can make an informed choice according to their own convictions. If you are free to express yourself, you are free on all levels. If there is something you are not allowed to say or think, then there is always even more you are not allowed to do! If you can get valid information, then you can make the choices that lead to a decent life in a democratic world. That is freedom. And right now, my journalistic colleagues in Ukraine need to feel that we are here, that we see them and their sacrifices... perhaps they also need a reminder that even in the most extreme situations, we are still journalists trying to hold on to the truth. They also need us to understand that the world becomes black and white when the only choice is life and death. This is not the time to ask for the objective portrayal of “good” Russians. No human being can provide that when reality is all or nothing. But we can demand of my colleagues that they go out and document reality so that we know what is going on.