Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH) criticizes CNN journalists for contacting former staff and interns in their efforts to cover accusations of complicity in sexual abuse at Ohio State University, standard procedure in journalism. In widely publicized efforts to prevent the spread of fraudulent news, Facebook struggles to explain the InfoWars page’s continued presence on the platform. Trump claims victory in efforts to persuade NATO allies to increase defense spending (refuted by both Macron and Merkel) and begins meetings with references to “legitimate” and “fake-news media.” Evidence emerges that Russia’s misinformation campaign during the 2016 election sought to take advantage of the American public’s trust in local news outlets. -Anoosh Gasparian, External Relations Coordinator

 

The most pressing threats and notable goings-on in free expression today

U.S.

Congressman Jim Jordan Blasts CNN for Doing Actual Journalism
Embattled U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio blasted CNN Wednesday for reaching out to former Ohio State University wrestlers and staff “for dirt” on him as he deals with accusations of knowing of sexual abuse by a former wrestling team doctor.
NEWSWEEK

Facebook Touts Fight on Fake News, But Struggles to Explain Why InfoWars Isn’t Banned
Facebook officials struggled to explain why InfoWars, a media organization that is one of the world’s leading purveyors of conspiracy theories, has a page on its platform despite having taken action against other fake news pages in the past.
CNN

NATO Summit Live Updates: Trump Claims Victory on Military Spending
Trump said that he remained committed to the alliance, and he signed a joint declaration that largely reaffirmed existing NATO obligations and said allies had agreed to his demand for a significant increase in military spending.
NEW YORK TIMES

Trump References ‘Legitimate Media and Fake-News Media’ at Meeting with NATO Leader
Trump began a bilateral breakfast meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg by referring to journalists in the room as members of the “legitimate” and “fake-news media”. “They’re so damn dishonest… And I don’t mean all of them.”
HILL

Russian Influence Campaign Sought to Exploit Americans’ Trust In Local News
“The Russians are playing a long game. They’ve developed a presence on social media. They’ve created these fictitious persons and fictitious organizations that have built up over a period of time a certain trustworthiness among people that follow.”
NPR

 
Global

For Press Freedom, Journalist Safety in Africa a Must
International Press Institute members have expressed their concern that space for press freedom is fast shrinking in Africa with governments and politicians using archaic laws and new measures to silence critical voices and independent media.
DAILY NATION

Surveillance Fears Cloud China’s ‘Digital Silk Road’
A major element of China’s continent-spanning Belt and Road Initiative aims to construct communications networks across the developing world. Many fear Beijing could use those tools for electronic surveillance.
CNBC

Ready to Fight ‘Dark Forces’ for Freedom of Expression: PFUJ
Journalists and media workers staged protests across Pakistan against the unannounced censorship imposed by the “hidden and dark forces” on media and creating hindrances in the distribution of Daily Dawn in areas of the country.
NATION

China to its State Media: Keep Calm, Don’t Inflame Trade Row with U.S.
Beijing has issued unusually strict rules limiting coverage of the trade war because of worries that unrestrained reporting could spark instability or roil its already jittery financial markets. “Be careful not to link [criticisms] to Trump”.
REUTERS

‘Let Governments Be Open to Criticism,’ Says IAS Officer After Tweet Leads to Inquiry
The Jammu and Kashmir government has initiated a departmental inquiry against IAS exam topper Shah Faesal for his “sarcastic” tweet about frequent rapes after receiving a request from the Centre’s Department of Personnel and Training.
WIRE

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