News

The latest news from the International Center for Journalists.

June
16
2020

Maria Ressa of Rappler: The Philippines Has Reached "a Precipice”

Facing a barrage of legal attacks, renowned journalist and digital news pioneer Maria Ressa says the Philippines is on the verge of experiencing the death of democracy by “a thousand cuts.” In an online event co-hosted by ICFJ and FRONTLINE, she said her country, once known for its vibrant news media, is now teetering on the brink of a “precipice.”

June
15
2020

A Devastating Day for Journalism

Maria Ressa, an outspoken champion of press freedom, was convicted today in a case that is widely seen as a crackdown on independent journalism in the Philippines.

“This is a miscarriage of justice," said ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan. “Maria is facing a bevy of charges designed to silence her and Rappler. If journalists are convicted for exposing corruption, democracy itself is at stake. ICFJ condemns Maria's conviction and calls for all other charges against her to be dropped.”

June
11
2020

Three Ways Large Media Companies are Innovating During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic is putting the journalism profession's ideas about digital news innovation to the test, said New York Times National Editor Mark Lacey.

June
11
2020

Truth, Power and the Importance of Press Freedom: An Exclusive Conversation with Maria Ressa

Please join FRONTLINE and the International Center for Journalists for a global conversation on the importance of the freedom of the press, with award-winning journalist, Maria Ressa.

June
10
2020

News and Mental Health: What Journalists Should Know

The physical toll of the COVID-19 pandemic is widely known, but what is the toll on mental health -- and how can journalists better cover it?

June
6
2020

Journalists Under Attack: Lessons from the Field

Physical threats and attacks on journalists, all too familiar in many countries around the world, have not been as common in the U.S. until now.

As reporters cover protests in U.S. cities that have followed the police killing of 46-year-old George Floyd, a black Minneapolis resident, police in many cities are cracking down. Journalists have reported more than 300 press freedom violations related to the protests, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Police appear to be targeting journalists and people of color, reporters said during an ICFJ webinar Friday.

June
5
2020

Key Quotes: Lessons Learned from Reporting on the Pandemic in New York

From a coronavirus hot spot to police brutality and street protests in Minneapolis, CNN national correspondent Miguel Marquez has covered the major stories upending American life during the first half of 2020.

June
5
2020

We Can Do Better. We Must.

The International Center for Journalists is committed to racial justice. The horrific killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery are the latest in a long history of discrimination against black Americans. Over the years, journalists have played a key role in bringing about meaningful change. We must make sure we step up and help put an end to structural racism.

June
4
2020

Key Quotes: COVID-19’s Effects On Freelancing — and its Future

Freelancers are at the core of journalism as we know it. But as the COVID-19 pandemic leads to budget cuts at almost every level, freelancers are struggling to find work. Without the support of an organization behind them, many freelancers have become responsible for their own safety and wellbeing, at a time when both are being threatened.

June
1
2020

ICFJ Condemns Attacks on Journalists Covering U.S. Protests

Reporters in the U.S. have been attacked while covering protests triggered by the police killing of George Floyd. In over 100 reported incidents so far, journalists have been shot at with rubber bullets, pepper sprayed and assaulted on air. ICFJ strongly condemns these attacks. As they cover this important story, reporters must be safe to do their jobs.