Worldwide Threats to Media Freedom
Hearing Notice
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:
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC
Opening Remarks
- Rep. James P. McGovern, Co-Chair, TLHRC
Written remarks
Witnesses
Panel I
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Michael H. Posner, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State
Written testimony
Panel II
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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