Only 14.5% of the world's population live in countries where journalists' safety is guaranteed, state influence over the media is minimal, and the press is not subject to burdensome legal restrictions, according to Freedom House.
The Angolan government should end its crackdown on peaceful protests and the media with the start of the election campaign on 1 August, says Human Rights Watch.
The capability of repressive governments to monitor users of mobile phones and block access to Internet content is far beyond levels realised by users.
In this cynical ménage à trois, it's human rights that gets tossed aside when no longer needed.
The authorities use sedition laws to curtail free speech and concoct criminal cases to lock up government critics.
The report's authors cover cases that include politicians' reactions to critical articles in the media.
A report by HRNJ-Uganda indicates that the environment for frontline journalists is getting more risky, with attacks taking place at the hands of security agency personnel, especially the police.
The organisation found the legislation to be lacking significant provisions that would ensure that the rights to privacy and freedom of expression and information are appropriately balanced.
World Press Freedom Day passed with 95 journalists behind bars.
"Politicians at all levels need to respect the fact that, in a democracy, their position entails greater scrutiny of their actions," said IPI.
ARTICLE 19 is pleased the bill intends to respect international standards for freedom of expression, but points out that improvements are still needed to safeguard the media's independence.
The report highlights cases of artists around the world whose right to freedom of expression has been curtailed and abused, and seeks to more effectively promote and defend freedom to create.
The three activists killed since October 2011 had been vocal in opposing mining and energy operations.
The report documents how the accumulation of power in the executive and the erosion of human rights protections have allowed the Chávez government to intimidate, censor, and prosecute critics and perceived opponents.
Media freedoms in the occupied Palestinian territories suffered a setback in June 2012, due to Israel's continued policy of targeting journalists.
Journalists are calling on the government to pass and implement laws guaranteeing the media’s independence from government control.
Restrictions on news, media and communications in Tibet have been stepped up by Chinese authorities in the lead-up to the 18th Party Congress.
In February, the Philippines was among 30 countries represented by the People's Republic of China in issuing a joint statement at the panel of freedom of expression on the Internet at the United Nations in Geneva.
The 184-page report attempts to document the progress of freedom of expression by introducing key aspects of developments that accompanied the Arab Spring revolutions.
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The report repeats key concerns about the country's democratic processes and raises concerns about the selective prosecution of opposition figures and the erosion of basic freedoms of assembly and speech.