Truth is in danger as new techniques used to stop journalists covering the news, says special report

London, UK. The truth is being suppressed across the world using a variety of methods, according to a special report in the 250^th issue of Index on Censorship magazine.

Physical violence is not the only method being used to stop news being published, says editor Rachael Jolley in the Danger in Truth: Truth in Danger report. As well as kidnapping and murders, financial pressure and defamation legislation is being used, the report reveals.

“In many countries around the world, journalists have lost their status as observers and now come under direct attack.”

There’s an increasing trend to label journalists as “extremists” or “terrorists” so governments can crackdown on reporting they don’t like. According to Index’s Mapping Media Freedom project, which tracks attacks on journalists in more than 40 countries, 35 incidents were reported where journalists were being linked to “extremism” to restrict reporting, 11 in Russia and others in Belgium, Hungary, France and Spain.

Veteran journalists say certain countries including Syria are becoming almost impossible to cover. And citizen journalists in Syria say they are under enormous pressure to stop reporting but feel a responsibility to carry on despite the risks, particularly since so few international journalists are left in Syria. “All we can do is persevere, coping with the fear and the risks,” one told Index.

Laura Silvia Battaglia, who trains journalists in Iraq says:

“In Iraq providing safety training is not only necessary, it’s a duty for international originations who care about journalists and activists in dangerous zones. […] Local journalism is vital if the Iraqi people are to know what is happening in their country, and to do that journalists need to continue to protect themselves.”

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The special report is part of the 250^th issue from global quarterly magazine Index on Censorship which explores the increasing threats journalists are facing globally. More information about ‘Danger in Truth: Truth in Danger’ can be found here.  The magazine also includes an exclusive translation of a play extract by Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell, published for the first time in English.

Index on Censorship magazine is celebrating its 250^th issue with a launch party on the Power of Print, at MagCulture in London on July 12, with performances by actor Simon Callow, poet Jemima Foxtrot and musician Moddi.

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Sara Miller McCune founded SAGE Publishing in 1965 to support the dissemination of usable knowledge and educate a global community. SAGE is a leading international provider of innovative, high-quality content publishing more than 950 journals and over 800 new books each year, spanning a wide range of subject areas. A growing selection of library products includes archives, data, case studies and video. SAGE remains majority owned by our founder and after her lifetime will become owned by a charitable trust that secures the company’s continued independence. Principal offices are located in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC and Melbourne. www.sagepublishing.com

Index on Censorship launched in 1972, has reporters around the world. International in outlook, outspoken in comment, and publishing some of the world’s finest writers, Index exposes stories that are suppressed, publishes banned writing, investigative journalism and new fiction. Previous contributors include Margaret Atwood, Noam Chomsky, Nadine Gordimer, Aung San Suu Kyi, Salman Rushdie, Tom Stoppard and Ai Weiwei.www.indexoncensorship.org