Award-winning independent journalist, editor, and media trainer Tess Bacalla writes, “States and members of the political elite are quick to control the flow of information and keep a tight lid on crucial narratives that are at the heart of issues confronting the public. This is a glaring reality in the four countries and regions covered by this series of reports.
“Traditional or mainstream media have never seen more sinister and sophisticated attempts to curtail their right to report and help bring counter-narratives to the fore, while activists are constantly caught in the crosshairs of governments simply for speaking out.”