We have been busy this summer! Our own Lana Estemirova has produced yet another amazing creation – Natasha Estemirova Catania. Born on August, 28 this girl is continuing the distinguished dynasty of human right and freedom fighters. Welcome to the world, Natasha – we will strive to make it safe for you.
ATTACKS ON MEDIA WORKERS IN GEORGIA IN 2023-2024
In Georgia, 139 cases of threats/attacks were identified and analysed in the period between January 2023 and July 2024. Government officials were behind 62% of attacks.
In August 2024, the so-called “Foreign Agents” law came into force. According to experts, it threatens the existence of independent media and civil society organisations in the country.
Over the last 18 months, Georgian media workers and activists have faced both physical attacks and hate campaigns, with offices, vehicles, and apartments vandalised with messages such as “foreign agent” and “traitor.”
According to the Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), which monitors SLAPP cases in Georgia, there currently are at least 43 cases in the courts, 39 of which are targeting local media and journalists.
ATTACKS ON MEDIA WORKERS IN AZERBAIJAN
In Azerbaijan, 147 incidents were identified and analysed in 2023. That year saw an unprecedented scope of persecution against independent and critical media and journalists.
Over 20 journalists and media workers are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan, most independent online media outlets have been shut down, and any form of pluralism is under severe threat.
The Media Law, adopted in 2022, saw fewer than 10% of existing media outlets included in the new Media Register, leaving the majority de facto illegal and their work forcefully terminated.
19 physical attacks against Azerbaijani media workers took place while they were covering mass protests and gatherings. In all cases, the perpetrators were representatives of the authorities.
TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH PODCAST
Final episodes of the Season Two of the Trouble with the Truth by Lana Estemirova were released:
In the first episode, Lana talks to a Hong Kong-based journalist who prefers to remain anonymous about the chilling effect of the National Security Law on Hong Kong’s once-thriving media and their trauma at witnessing their offices being raided by police. They also discuss how the nature of journalism has changed since the law’s introduction and why there is still a strong appetite for honest reporting.
In the second and final episode, Lana talks with Jeje Mohhamed, a holistic safety and security advisor and risk management expert, about the upcoming US presidential elections. They explore why threats against journalists are rising at this stage of US political development. Jeje also shares her expert advice on why risk assessment is crucial when covering a story and what safety strategies work best in different scenarios. She also covers online safety and the ways in which journalists can protect themselves and explains why cooperation is superior to competition.
EVENTS AND ADVOCACY
- On July 30, Bertha DocHouse organised an exclusive screening of the documentary Of Caravan and the Dogs as part of the Sheffield DocFest Spotlights program in London. The film follows a group of independent journalists and activists in Russia whose criticism of the war in Ukraine leads to censorship and exile. The screening was followed by a filmmaker Q&A hosted by Dr. Ilya Yablokov.
- On July 30, the Black Snow documentary, supported by the JFJ Investigative Grant Programme, directed by American journalist and filmmaker Alina Simone and produced by Kirstine Barfod, was presented at Melgaço International Documentary Film Festival held from July 29 to August 4, 2024 in Portugal.
- On August 2, JFJ welcomed the release of Evan Gershkovich, an American Wall Street Journal correspondent; Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist for Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty RFE/RL; political activist and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza; and thirteen other political prisoners of Russia and Belarus.
- From September, having completed her 4.5-year tenure at the helm of the JFJ’s Investigative Grants Programme, Vafa Fati-Zada is joining the Charity’s Board of Trustees. We are excited that with her extensive international experience and expertise, Ms Fati-Zada will continue to contribute to our mission and liaise with our partners.
ORKHAN DZHEMAL MEDIA SAFETY ACADEMY
In Kyiv, Ukraine, during July and August, the 2402 Foundation conducted Hostile Environment First Aid Training (HEFAT) tailored for Ukrainian journalists, international journalists operating in Ukraine, and media personnel.
In August, the 2404 Foundation launched the risk assessment course, which consists of a series of workshops and lectures aimed at training specialists in various high-risk fields who want to develop as trainers and consultants in security and risk assessment for individuals and organisations in hostile environments.
In July, the Media Safety Academy organised three webinars for the Russian-speaking independent journalists themed around professional risk assessment, physical safety, cyber security, and navigating repressive laws against media freedom.
The Academy also conducted a two-day cyber security camp in one of the European cities for a major Russian investigative media outlet operating in exile.
If you are a media worker and require safety training of any kind, please do not hesitate to write a request to academy@jfj.fund.