Press Freedom Archives

We, the undersigned civil society organizations and independent media outlets from around the world, join together to condemn the unprecedented attack on press freedom in Egypt following the referral of Egyptian journalist and Editor-in-Chief of independent media outlet Mada Masr Lina Attalah to tri

Statement

Tunisia | Article 24 Reform Leaves Questions of Justice Unanswered

9 October 2026

HuMENA calls for a review of the situation of detainees and convicted people, data on the amendment’s impact and redress for previous convictions.

Statement

HuMENA condemns the reported torture of Matsada2sh journalists and calls for an independent investigation

8 October 2026

HuMENA condemns the torture and ill treatment that journalists of the fact-checking platform Matsada2sh reported to the Supreme State Security Prosecution.

Joint statement

Global Call for the Release of Entire Newsroom at Egyptian Investigative Journalism Platform Matsadaash

1 October 2026

Organisations and independent media condemn the crackdown on Egyptian investigative platform Matsadaash, whose entire newsroom has been arrested.

Statement

Tunisia | Drop Terrorism and State-Security Charges Against Journalist Zied El Heni, Already Serving a One-Year Sentence

25 September 2026

HuMENA is concerned about the terrorism-related and state-security charges brought against Tunisian journalist Zied El Heni.

Statement

Tunisia | Ensure Mohamed Yousfi’s Defense Rights and Medical Care Pending His Release

10 September 2026

HuMENA is deeply concerned about the arrest and pre-trial detention of journalist Mohamed Yousfi, editor-in-chief of Al-Qatiba.

Analysis

From Criticism to Crime: How Tunisia Uses Article 86 Against Dissent

3 September 2026

Freedom of expression in Tunisia faces another test, as courts keep sentencing people under Article 86 of the Telecommunications Code.

Analysis

The Media Law in Lebanon: Between Opportunities and Risks

3 September 2026

After more than sixteen years of discussion, Lebanon’s parliament adopted a new media law on 11 August 2026.

Joint statement

Joint statement 12 August 2026

Egypt | Rights Groups Call for Release of Detained Shi’a Muslims in Egypt, including Journalist Haidar Qandil

The undersigned organizations strongly condemn the arrest, and enforced disappearance, of at least 36 Shi’a Muslim in Egypt, including journalist Mohammed Haidar Qandil. On 22 June 2026, Egyptian security forces arrested at least six Shi’a Muslims from their homes. Later that day, Qandil, who as a journalist had spent the day documenting the arrests of Egyptian Shi’a Muslims ahead of Ashura…

Statement

Algeria | Authorities must implement judicial decision lifting search notice against journalist Saïd Boudour

31 July 2026

The Algerian authorities must immediately implement the judicial order requiring the lifting of an outstanding search notice imposed in 2019 against investigative journalist and human rights defender Saïd Boudour in connection to his peaceful exercise of his fundamental rights to expression and assembly, and end the resulting practical restrictions on his freedom of movement which…

Joint statement

Tunisia | Appeal to stop imprisoning journalists and human rights defenders

31 July 2026

We, the undersigned members of IFEX and civil society partners, appeal to the Tunisian authorities to stop imprisoning journalists and human rights defenders in violation of international law. There is a pattern of sentencing to prison those who criticise government policies, human rights violations or corruption, during trials that lack the minimum international standards. Among…

Joint statement

Ahead of Expected Judgment in Appeal, Civil Society Organizations Globally Call for the Release of Ahmed Douma

10 July 2026

We, the undersigned civil society organizations from across the globe, call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Egyptian activist, poet, and political writer Ahmed Douma. On July 16, 2026, the Fifth Settlement Appellate Misdemeanour Court is expected to issue its judgment in the appeal challenging the one-year prison sentence handed down to…