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Unbiased information for free minds

About DW Freedom

Strengthening DW's support of freedom of speech, freedom of expression and media freedom, the project engages DW’s global audience on these topics online, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.  

Top stories

Belgium

Several Belgian cities are building Ukrainian villages to welcome refugees into their communities.

Belgium's 'Ukrainian villages' open doors to refugees

The first Ukrainian refugees are preparing to move into specially built emergency housing centers in Belgian cities like Antwerp. The villages are designed to meet the acute needs of those fleeing the violence. DW's Teri Schultz reports.  

Sri Lanka

A woman carrying food bags walks pasts people standing in queue outside a state-run supermarket to buy essential food items in Colombo

Sri Lankans running out of food, fuel and medicine

Sri Lankans told DW how they're struggling with shortages of food, fuel and medicine as the nation faces one of its worst economic crises in decades.  

Four people wearing black suits and balaclavas singing into microphones.

Pussy Riot on tour following band co-founder's escape from Russia

One of the band's leaders, Maria Alyokhina, managed to escape house arrest disguised as a food courier. DW met Pussy Riot as they start their European tour.  

Ukraine

A representational image of Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Peter Kovalev/TASS

Ukraine to put first Russian soldier on trial for war crimes

Kyiv prosecutor Iryna Venediktova announced plans to hold the trial of a 21-year-old Russian soldier accused of killing a civilian. The soldier was allegedly told to shoot the victim in order to avoid detection.  

India

India's Supreme Court.

India's Supreme Court suspends controversial sedition law

India's top court suspended authorities from charging people with sedition under a controversial colonial-era law. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been accused of misusing the law to silence critics.  

El Salvador

Women march with a pro-choice banner in San Salvador. : © Camilo Freedman/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire

El Salvador jails woman accused of abortion for 30 years

A court in El Salvador has sentenced a woman to 30 years in prison because she suffered an obstetric emergency that ended her pregnancy. Abortions are banned in the Central American country.  

Hong Kong

Pro-democracry activists holding banners demonstrate outside the Chinese liaison office during China's National Day in Hong Kong on October 1, 2020.

Görlach Global: End of pretense of democracy in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a new leader: Unpopular hardliner John Lee is likely to be even better at crushing democratic dissent. The world must be ready to help his victims, writes Alexander Görlach.  

Sri Lanka

Police personnel standing guard outside Rajapaksa's residence.

Sri Lanka: Troops evacuate outgoing PM amid unrest

As protesters tried to enter Mahinda Rajapaksa's residence overnight, police escorted him out on Tuesday morning. The flare up of violence has left at least five people dead and scores injured.  

Poland

Protesters have thrown red paint on Russian ambassador Sergey Andreev as he arrived at a cemetery in Warsaw to pay respects to Red Army soldiers

Russian ambassador to Poland hit with red liquid by anti-war protesters

Sergey Andreev was covered in red liquid at a Victory Day event. Moscow slammed Polish officials for "their indulgence of young neo-Nazis," but Warsaw says it warned Russia not to stage the event.  

Hong Kong

John Lee speaks to election committee members

Hong Kong: Ex-security chief John Lee named new leader

An election committee composed largely of pro-Beijing figures voted for John Lee, a former security official, to be the new leader of Hong Kong. Lee, the only candidate in the vote, replaces Carrie Lam in July.  

Philippines

Philippine Senator Leila de Lima, a critic of Rodrigo Duterte, casts her vote at a polling precinct in Manila, in May 2019

Philippines: Opposition lawmaker Leila de Lima's trial a test for democracy ahead of election

Rights watchdogs say opposition senator Leila de Lima is being unjustly imprisoned for opposing President Duterte's war on drugs.  

India

Copies of the annual World Press Freedom Index

Why is India falling in the World Press Freedom Index?

India fell eight places in the World Press Freedom Index, down to 150 out of 180 countries. Critics say the ranking reflects increased pressure and violence against journalists.  

United States

Demonstrators protest outside of the US Supreme Court

Roe v. Wade abortion rights protests follow US Supreme Court leak

Rallies were held in cities across the United States after a leaked draft opinion suggested that the Supreme Court will overturn the ruling that legalized abortion in the country.  

Russia

Transmission of Vladimir Putin on several TV screens

'Zombie TV': The disintegration of Russia's free press

On World Press Freedom Day, a look at how Russia's media has evolved since the 1990s: 37 journalists have been murdered in Russia since Vladimir Putin took office in 2000.  

Central African Republic

A woman walks past a burnt house in Bagui

HRW warns of evidence of CAR massacre by 'Russian-speaking men'

"Russian-identified forces" may have committed grave abuses against civilians in the Central African Republic, Human Rights Watch has said in a new report.  

Silhouette of a journalist interviewing a person

Opinion: The tug-of-war over press freedom

Authoritarian regimes are united in tactics to suppress freedom of the press — but journalists banding together to circumvent these efforts offer hope, writes exiled journalist Can Dündar.  

Russia

A protester in Moscow holds up a sign that reads 'Putin lies'

Russian war censorship denounced on World Press Freedom Day

Russia's ranking on the World Press Freedom Index has fallen again over the Kremlin's wartime censorship of the Ukraine conflict. From Myanmar to Mexico, journalists continue to risk their lives to deliver the news.  

Ukraine

Drone footage of a Ukrainian ambush on a column of Russian tanks in Kyiv on March 10

In Ukraine war, Twitter Sherlocks are coming of age

Thousands of amateur detectives are sharing their findings on war crimes and troop movements from the comfort of their living room. They hope their work can one day be used in court. Could this come true?  

Symbolic picture of a whistleblower, with a gray silhouette of a person blowing a red whistle against a bright yellow background

Where can whistleblowers go to get help?

Whistleblowers can face risks varying from workplace retaliation to legal battles to physical threats. Many turn to specialized organizations for help to come forward in the safest way possible.  

DW Uncensored Collection

DW and CPJ: Finding new ways to stand up for freedom of speech

DW has launched a new campaign branching out into a new area: fashion. With the Uncensored Collection, DW is bringing attention to ways to circumvent censorship and support and protect journalists worldwide.  

DW Freedom social media
One Free Press Coalition
Symbolbild | Kriegsberichterstattung

One Free Press Coalition highlights journalists covering the war on Ukraine

The One Free Press Coalition’s April list focuses on the ten most urgent cases of journalists covering the war on Ukraine, who have been killed, attacked, or have gone missing.  

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DW Freedom of Speech Award
DW Freedom of Speech Award 2022

DW Freedom of Speech Award 2022 goes to Ukrainian journalists Mstyslav Chernov and Evgeniy Maloletka

Ukrainian visual journalist and novelist Mstyslav Chernov and photojournalist Evgeniy Maloletka are this year's DW Freedom of Speech Award laureates.  

  • Freedom of Speech Award 2018 | Sadegh Zibakalam (DW/P. Böll)

    Our Freedom of Speech Award laureates

    Meet our laureates 2015-2022

    Deutsche Welle has been promoting democratic values, human rights and the dialogue between different cultures for more than six decades. Since 2015, our Freedom of Speech Award has honored persons or initiatives for their outstanding promotion of human rights and freedom of expression.

  • Raif Badawi Website-Gründer aus Saudi Arabien (privat)

    Our Freedom of Speech Award laureates

    2015: Raif Badawi, Saudi Arabia

    Saudi blogger Raif Badawi has fought for freedom of expression in his country for years. His blog addressed political and societal grievances in Saudi Arabia. In 2012, he was arrested and accused of insulting Islam, religious leaders and politicians. Authorities sentenced him to 1,000 lashes (he has since received 50), 10 years in prison and a major fine in 2014. He was released in March 2022.

  • Bonn Global Media Forum GMF 02 | Award Ceremony Sedat Ergin (DW/M. Müller)

    Our Freedom of Speech Award laureates

    2016: Sedat Ergin, Turkey

    Sedat Ergin, former editor-in-chief of the Turkish daily "Hürriyet," received Deutsche Welle's second annual Freedom of Speech Award while being tried for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Freedom of speech is one of the most fundamental values of humankind," the journalist said. "It is an essential aspect of our existence in human societies."

  • Deutschland Bonn - Deutsche Welle GMF 2017 - Freedom of Speech Award 2017: White House Correspondents' Association (DW/K. Danetzki)

    Our Freedom of Speech Award laureates

    2017: White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), US

    In 2017, DW Director General Peter Limbourg presented the DW Freedom of Speech Award to Jeff Mason, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA). "We see this award as recognizing free press worldwide and in the US and as a sign of solidarity and encouragement for those colleagues who have the exciting task of reporting about the US President and his policies, said Limbourg.

  • Freedom of Speech Award (DW/U. Wagner)

    Our Freedom of Speech Award laureates

    2018: Sadegh Zibakalam, Iran

    The DW Freedom of Speech Award 2018 laureate was Iranian political scientist Sadegh Zibakalam. He was facing a jail sentence for speaking out against the political situation in his home country in an interview with DW. Zibakalam is famous for his intense debates with hardliners, repeatedly criticizing the government's official stance on domestic and foreign policy matters.

  • Interview mit der Gewinnerin des DW Freedom of Speech Award 2019: Anabel Hernández (DW/V. Tellmann)

    Our Freedom of Speech Award laureates

    2019: Anabel Hernández, Mexico

    ​​​​​​​Mexican investigative journalist Anabel Hernández is the recipient of the DW Freedom of Speech Award 2019. Her work focuses on corruption and the collusion between government officials and drug cartels. She gained international attention in 2010 with her book "Los Señores del Narco" (Narcoland) which documented these illegal relations. She lives in exile in Europe.

  • DW Freedom of Speech Award 2020

    Our Freedom of Speech Award laureates

    2020: Fact-Checkers fighting the Infodemic #COVID19

    In 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, DW has decided to honor 17 journalists from 14 countries. They represent all journalists worldwide who have disappeared or been arrested or threatened because of their reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Freedom of Speech Award 2021 | Preisträgerin Tobore Ovuorie aus Nigeria

    Our Freedom of Speech Award laureates

    2021: Tobore Ovuorie, Nigeria

    Tobore Ovuorie is the recipient of the Freedom of Speech Award 2021. Ovuorie has worked as an investigative journalist for leading publications in Nigeria for about ten years. In 2014, her most renowned investigative report to date was published. The widespread human trafficking ring uncovered by Ovuorie was involved in transnational sex trafficking, as well as organ trafficking.

  • Freedom of Speech Award 2022: Mstyslav Chernov & Evgeniy Maloletka

    Our Freedom of Speech Award laureates

    2022: Mstyslav Chernov and Evgeniy Maloletka, Ukraine

    Ukrainian visual journalist and novelist Mstyslav Chernov and photojournalist Evgeniy Maloletka are the 2022 DW Freedom of Speech Award laureates. The Freedom of Speech Award recognizes their work on the AP report "20 days in Mariupol" and offers a unique account of Mariupol under Russian siege, with Chernov and Maloletka being the last journalists in the city before their evacuation.


DW Akademie

DW Akademie strengthens the human right to freedom of expression.

DW Akademie strengthens the human right to freedom of expression.  

Anabel Hernández and Can Dündar sitting on steps with the ocean and mountains in the background

DW documentary series 'Guardians of Truth' looks at press freedom

In this new DW documentary series, exiled Turkish journalist Can Dündar meets Mexican journalist Anabel Hernandez. Both have paid a high price for their fight for truth.  

DW Global Media Forum
Portrait of Angela Merkel. The Federal Chancellor of Germany opened the 2021 conference with an important message on our responsibility for and the limitations of freedom.

Highlights of the 2021 Global Media Forum

Check out the highlights and top speakers that participated in the DW Global Media Forum 2021. We were honored to welcome these renowned voices from around the world to discuss "Disruption and Innovation".  

Plenary Session: Who’s got the power in the media landscape? Part 1

Global Media Forum 2021

The next Global Media Forum will take place on June 14 and 15, 2021 at the World Conference Center Bonn. In the meantime, we will focus on producing compelling digital content, and create online exchange during 2020.  

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