Since the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28, marked by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran followed by Tehran’s retaliation across the region, press freedom conditions have rapidly deteriorated. What has emerged is not only a military escalation, but a parallel assault on the ability of journalists to report freely and safely. Across multiple countries, journalists have been killed, detained, harassed, and obstructed, while governments have imposed sweeping censorship measures. The conflict has exposed a deeply concerning pattern: in times of war, control over information becomes a strategic objective, often at the expense of truth and accountability. A regional pattern of suppression The impact on media freedom has not been confined to one country. Instead, it has spread across a wide regional landscape, including Iran, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, and the Gulf states. Authorities have implemented a range of restrictive measures: from internet

On February 27, the Court of Appeal of Kenya is set to rule on the constitutionality of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. This law has increasingly become a flashpoint in the country’s press freedom landscape. The ruling comes as journalist Peter Maseke Mwita faces up to 10 years in prison over a WhatsApp message he says was sent by mistake while seeking comment for a crime-related story. His case illustrates how cybercrime legislation, originally framed as a tool to combat digital harm, is now being used in ways that critics argue suppress legitimate journalism. For Kenya’s media community, this ruling may determine whether digital reporting remains viable without fear of criminal prosecution. From digital regulation to criminal prosecution The 2018 Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act was introduced to address online fraud, cyber harassment, identity theft, and national security threats. However, several of its provisions have raised concern among press

Ecuador is experiencing a deepening crisis that now strikes at the heart of its civic life. The twin pressures of organized crime-linked violence tied to narcotrafficking and institutional actions that curb press access and coverage are eroding press freedom across the country. Journalists and media outlets are confronting threats ranging from physical violence and death threats to legal harassment and censorship. This analysis examines how these forces are converging to restrict independent reporting, stifle accountability, and weaken democratic norms in Ecuador. Narcotrafficking violence as a catalyst for press suppression Since 2022, Ecuador has witnessed a dramatic surge in criminal violence driven by narcotrafficking networks competing for control of transit routes and illicit economies. This has contributed to one of the highest homicide rates seen in the country’s recent history. Such instability has had spillover effects on journalists covering corruption, security, and local governance. Threats from armed non-state actors and criminal