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“All human beings are born free and equal

in dignity and rights.”

- Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Worldwide Threats to Media Freedom

Date: 
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 - 1:00pm
Location: 
2226 Rayburn House Office Building

Announcement

Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on threats to media freedom around the world.

The free press plays a vital role in advancing democratic governance and promoting respect for human rights. However, in many countries journalists and media outlets are forced to work in a climate of fear and censorship. Repressive governments impose severe legal restrictions and exert economic pressure on media outlets that do not support the government position. Journalists who criticize authorities or expose crime, corruption, or human rights abuses risk harassment, intimidation, unlawful detention and even death.

In addition to assessing these issues from a global perspective, this hearing will examine restrictions on freedom of expression and violence against journalists in Honduras, Russia and Turkey.

If you have any questions, please contact the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at 202-225-3599 or tlhrc@mail.house.gov.

Hosted by:

James P. McGovern, M.C.
Co-Chairman, TLHRC
Frank R. Wolf, M.C.
Co-Chairman, TLHRC

Witnesses

Panel I

  • Michael H. Posner, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State
    Written testimony

Panel II

  • Robert Mahoney, Deputy Director, Committee to Protect Journalists
    Written testimony
  • Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Project Director of "Freedom of the Press," Freedom House
    Written testimony
  • Rev. Ismael Moreno Coto, Director of Radio Progreso, Honduras
    Written testimony
  • Vladimir Kara-Murza, Washington bureau chief, Russian Television International (RTVi)
    Written testimony

Transcript

Transcript

Video

PART 1: PANEL I

PART 2: PANEL II

PART 3: PANEL II Q&A

112th Congress