Silencing the press: the global spread of foreign agent laws and their impact on journalism

Descrizione

Foreign agent laws and their increasing application to media organisations and journalists have been spreading like wildfire. This panel will explore the insidious expansion of these laws and their chilling effect on press freedom and independent journalism. We will examine how these laws have become a favoured tool of authoritarian regimes to silence dissent and control the narrative, extending far beyond their original scope.
The session will provide an overview of the global landscape and the various ways they are being implemented to target media professionals. We'll delve into real-world examples of media organisations and journalists who have faced persecution or shutdown under these laws, offering insights into their experiences and the broader implications for press freedom.
We will explore strategies for resistance, including legal challenges, international advocacy, and coalition-building among media organisations and civil society. But we will also look at the challenging question of whether and how media can exist under these restrictive laws - the difficult choices faced by journalists and media outlets, and the balance between maintaining journalistic integrity and ensuring survival.
Moderated by Antonio Zappulla.
Organised in association with Thomson Reuters Foundation and RFE/RL.