The US Justice Department has withdrawn subpoenas issued to The New York Times over reports concerning the security features of Air Force One. The newspaper had challenged the government’s requests for phone records and grand jury testimony, arguing that the move could intimidate journalists and violate First Amendment protections for press freedom. During a court hearing, federal prosecutors agreed to withdraw the subpoenas. The dispute began after a New York Times report raised questions about security features on a donated aircraft linked to Air Force One, including concerns over missile defense systems. President Donald Trump dismissed the concerns, saying the aircraft was being sent to a British air base for viewing by US troops and would undergo modifications.

US Justice Department withdraws subpoenas against New York Times over Air Force one Security report

Late last year, a clip filmed during a public event in South Sudan showing a stain spreading on the President Salvakia's pants went viral. The journalists who were covering the event were detained and accused of embarrassing the head of state and the country.

World of Africa: Concerns Grow Over Freedom of Press

An Australian journalist, who has been working extensively in Afghanistan for more than 20 years, was detained by the Taliban and was forced to write an apology tweet for writing on the militant groups’ atrocities.

Foreign Policy magazine writer&nbsp;Lynne O’Donnell was held captive for three days after she arrived in Kabul for writing on the plight of women under the Taliban regime and how teenage girls are being used as sex slaves.

On Tuesday, she was coerced into writing an apology after being threatened with dire consequences.

<img alt="A screenshot of two apology tweets written by the Taliban and sent from the journalist's account." src="https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/3594fdd481c6565bf31754e7651e96c1?src" />

It was eighteen hours later when Lynne tweeted again, everything became clear as to what transpired.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Tweet an apology or go to jail, said <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> intelligence. Whatever it takes: They dictated. I tweeted. They didn’t like it. Deleted, edited, re-tweeted. Made video of me saying I wasn't coerced. Re-did that too.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TwoTakesTaliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TwoTakesTaliban</a> (I’m out now) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/journalism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#journalism</a>
— Lynne O'Donnell (@lynnekodonnell) <a href="https://twitter.com/lynnekodonnell/status/1549707743946235904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Speaking to WION’s correspondent Anas Mallick, O’Donnell, who&nbsp;has now left Afghanistan, revealed what happened on that fateful day and described how this episode left a deep scar on her.

WION: Why did you retract your story?

O’Donnell: I had been detained by people, who told me that they are operatives of the Taliban intelligence agency. They held me for 4 hours and threatened to send me to prison and asked me to make a confession that the reports that I had made for Foreign Policy magazine were fake. When I mentioned who my sources were, they said that they don't exist. I apologised to them, but it was not enough. They wanted me to make my apology public, so they dictated word-by-word to me. After that, they edited and sent them to somebody they called their boss—the superior—who then re-edited and made me send the tweet.

&nbsp;

WION: Do you stand by your story?

O'Donnell: Yes, I do. 100 per cent.

&nbsp;

WION: But the Taliban are accusing you of being an unethical journalist and that you are a foreign agent or a spy. What do you have to say about that?

O’Donnell: One of the people who is accusing me of not being a journalist and for making a faulty report or that I have concocted my source, doesn’t even use his name to&nbsp;represent himself. He is the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He doesn’t use his name, everybody knows that. I am what I am, and I stand by whatever I do.

&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the future of journalism and journalists in Afghanistan, and how essential is it to have voices like yours to be there?

O’Donnell: The Taliban have been muddling the press for longer than they have been in power (since last August), and as they took control of districts and cities, they closed down Afghan media organisations. They detained, beat and killed some journalists, while many fled the country. Some of them are still continuing to function as journalists—writing and reporting on Afghanistan—from outside. That is the only way they can do it with any freedom. And what is happening to those surviving media organisations is that they are second-guessing—unable to work as a journalist. And they know that because media was free and&nbsp;a booming sector before the Taliban came in. There are people who say that journalists in Afghanistan are able to operate and do their job undeterred, but that is not true. I spoke&nbsp;to people, who are independent media monitors,&nbsp;when I was in Kabul, and they told me that they are still doing their work in all 34 Afghan provinces, but they can't publish anymore.

&nbsp;

WION: How much has Afghanistan changed from when you left?

O’Donnell: That is why I wanted to go. I went there to see what’s happening in the country since the Taliban took control. There is no point in pretending that everything was fantastic under the previous elected government—it was a corrupt administration which had no strategy and no leadership. The US decided to withdraw the military support and precipitated the collapse of the government. Since then, the status of women has deteriorated, they are not being allowed to take up jobs, girls are no longer allowed to go to school, and civil society has disappeared. Many people whom I spoke to when I was in Kabul described the prevailing atmosphere as a reign of terror. They are scared to talk. There are parameters, if they cross then they will be in trouble. They just don’t know what are those parameters, and that’s how fear is prevailing.

An Australian journalist, who has been working extensively in Afghanistan for more than 20 years, was detained by the Taliban and was forced to write an apology tweet for writing on the militant groups’ atrocities.

An Australian journalist, who has been working extensively in Afghanistan for more than 20 years, was detained by the Taliban and was forced to write an apology tweet for writing on the militant groups’ atrocities. Foreign Policy magazine writer Lynne O’Donnell was held captive for three days after she arrived in Kabul for writing on the plight of women under the Taliban regime and how teenage girls are being used as sex slaves. On Tuesday, she was coerced into writing an apology after being threatened with dire consequences. It was eighteen hours later when Lynne tweeted again, everything became clear as to what transpired. Tweet an apology or go to jail, said #Taliban intelligence. Whatever it takes: They dictated. I tweeted. They didn’t like it. Deleted, edited, re-tweeted. Made video of me saying I wasn't coerced. Re-did that too.#TwoTakesTaliban (I’m out now) #Afghanistan #journalism — Lynne O'Donnell (@lynnekodonnell) July 20, 2022 × Speaking to WION’s correspondent Anas Mallick, O’Donnell, who has now left Afghanistan, revealed what happened on that fateful day and described how this episode left a deep scar on her. WION: Why did you retract your story? O’Donnell: I had been detained by people, who told me that they are operatives of the Taliban intelligence agency. They held me for 4 hours and threatened to send me to prison and asked me to make a confession that the reports that I had made for Foreign Policy magazine were fake. When I mentioned who my sources were, they said that they don't exist. I apologised to them, but it was not enough. They wanted me to make my apology public, so they dictated word-by-word to me. After that, they edited and sent them to somebody they called their boss—the superior—who then re-edited and made me send the tweet. WION: Do you stand by your story? O'Donnell: Yes, I do. 100 per cent. WION: But the Taliban are accusing you of being an unethical journalist and that you are a foreign agent or a spy. What do you have to say about that? O’Donnell: One of the people who is accusing me of not being a journalist and for making a faulty report or that I have concocted my source, doesn’t even use his name to represent himself. He is the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He doesn’t use his name, everybody knows that. I am what I am, and I stand by whatever I do. WION: How do you see the future of journalism and journalists in Afghanistan, and how essential is it to have voices like yours to be there? O’Donnell: The Taliban have been muddling the press for longer than they have been in power (since last August), and as they took control of districts and cities, they closed down Afghan media organisations. They detained, beat and killed some journalists, while many fled the country. Some of them are still continuing to function as journalists—writing and reporting on Afghanistan—from outside. That is the only way they can do it with any freedom. And what is happening to those surviving media organisations is that they are second-guessing—unable to work as a journalist. And they know that because media was free and a booming sector before the Taliban came in. There are people who say that journalists in Afghanistan are able to operate and do their job undeterred, but that is not true. I spoke to people, who are independent media monitors, when I was in Kabul, and they told me that they are still doing their work in all 34 Afghan provinces, but they can't publish anymore. WION: How much has Afghanistan changed from when you left? O’Donnell: That is why I wanted to go. I went there to see what’s happening in the country since the Taliban took control. There is no point in pretending that everything was fantastic under the previous elected government—it was a corrupt administration which had no strategy and no leadership. The US decided to withdraw the military support and precipitated the collapse of the government. Since then, the status of women has deteriorated, they are not being allowed to take up jobs, girls are no longer allowed to go to school, and civil society has disappeared. Many people whom I spoke to when I was in Kabul described the prevailing atmosphere as a reign of terror. They are scared to talk. There are parameters, if they cross then they will be in trouble. They just don’t know what are those parameters, and that’s how fear is prevailing.

'Taliban detained me for writing against them', Australian journalist details her ordeal to WION

The European Commission on Monday responded to a question about France's draft security law by warning that news media must be able to "work freely".

French journalists and press freedom advocates have protested against the planned law, which would limit the right to film or photograph on-duty police officers.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-emmanuel-macron-issues-ultimatum-to-muslim-leaders-344433/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It will also&nbsp;make it harder to hold police accountable for abuses such as excessive use of force - a growing public concern. The offence would carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a 45,000-euro ($53,000) fine.

EU spokesman Christian Wigand said "The commission does not comment on draft laws, but it goes without saying that in a period of crisis it is more important than ever that journalists must be able to do their jobs freely and in complete safety."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blatant-lies-france-asks-pakistan-to-withdraw-comments-that-compared-macron-to-nazis-344721" hreflang="en">France asks Pakistan to withdraw comments that compared Macron to Nazis</a>

"As is always the case, the commission reserves the right to examine the final legislation in order to verify that it conforms to EU law," he added.

Last Tuesday, two journalists were detained in a protest that led to clashes with police as lawmakers in the National Assembly began debating the bill, which is backed by President Emmanuel Macron's party and its parliamentary allies.

The bill passed its first reading on Friday and there will be a second reading on Tuesday. It then goes to the Senate for further debate before it can become law.

An amendment drafted by the government and approved on Friday modified the article in question, 24, to add the phrase "without prejudice to the right to inform".

Prime Minister Jean Castex said this would "remove any ambiguity on the intention to guarantee respect for public freedoms while better protecting those, police and gendarmes, who ensure the protection of the population".

In practice, this law would restrict the publication of photos or videos taken of police officers' faces while carrying out their duties in public spaces, and in many cases an officer's face would have to be blurred.&nbsp;

Media unions say this could give police a green light to prevent journalists from doing their work and potentially documenting abuses by security forces.

Members of protest movements such as the "Yellow Vests" and "Extinction Rebellion", who faced a robust police response to street demonstrations -- have also denounced the draft law. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prison term, big fine

Article 24 of the draft law foresees a one-year prison term and a 45,000-euro ($54,000) fine for publishing images that officers object to, but officials insist their target is not press freedom.

Instead, police are concerned about social media campaigns that expose individual officers.

Police say they risk great personal threat in the line of duty, and dozens have been injured in clashes with protesters in recent years.

An attack on a police station outside Paris last month by dozens of people armed with fireworks and steel bars spurred the government into taking measures.

"Ensuring the security of all those living in Europe is a key priority for the Commission and we are working hand-in-hand with the member states," Wigand said.&nbsp;

"When drafting their security legislation, member states must respect the principle of proportionality and strike the right balance between guaranteeing public security and protecting citizens' rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, media freedom, freedom of association, privacy and access to information."

The European Commission on Monday responded to a question about France's draft security law by warning that news media must be able to "work freely". French journalists and press freedom advocates have protested against the planned law, which would limit the right to film or photograph on-duty police officers.

The European Commission on Monday responded to a question about France's draft security law by warning that news media must be able to "work freely". French journalists and press freedom advocates have protested against the planned law, which would limit the right to film or photograph on-duty police officers. It will also make it harder to hold police accountable for abuses such as excessive use of force - a growing public concern. The offence would carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a 45,000-euro ($53,000) fine. EU spokesman Christian Wigand said "The commission does not comment on draft laws, but it goes without saying that in a period of crisis it is more important than ever that journalists must be able to do their jobs freely and in complete safety." Also read: France asks Pakistan to withdraw comments that compared Macron to Nazis "As is always the case, the commission reserves the right to examine the final legislation in order to verify that it conforms to EU law," he added. Last Tuesday, two journalists were detained in a protest that led to clashes with police as lawmakers in the National Assembly began debating the bill, which is backed by President Emmanuel Macron's party and its parliamentary allies. The bill passed its first reading on Friday and there will be a second reading on Tuesday. It then goes to the Senate for further debate before it can become law. An amendment drafted by the government and approved on Friday modified the article in question, 24, to add the phrase "without prejudice to the right to inform". Prime Minister Jean Castex said this would "remove any ambiguity on the intention to guarantee respect for public freedoms while better protecting those, police and gendarmes, who ensure the protection of the population". In practice, this law would restrict the publication of photos or videos taken of police officers' faces while carrying out their duties in public spaces, and in many cases an officer's face would have to be blurred. Media unions say this could give police a green light to prevent journalists from doing their work and potentially documenting abuses by security forces. Members of protest movements such as the "Yellow Vests" and "Extinction Rebellion", who faced a robust police response to street demonstrations -- have also denounced the draft law. Prison term, big fine Article 24 of the draft law foresees a one-year prison term and a 45,000-euro ($54,000) fine for publishing images that officers object to, but officials insist their target is not press freedom. Instead, police are concerned about social media campaigns that expose individual officers. Police say they risk great personal threat in the line of duty, and dozens have been injured in clashes with protesters in recent years. An attack on a police station outside Paris last month by dozens of people armed with fireworks and steel bars spurred the government into taking measures. "Ensuring the security of all those living in Europe is a key priority for the Commission and we are working hand-in-hand with the member states," Wigand said. "When drafting their security legislation, member states must respect the principle of proportionality and strike the right balance between guaranteeing public security and protecting citizens' rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, media freedom, freedom of association, privacy and access to information."

European Union warns France over press freedom as it pushes security law

According to a report, Just 9% of the world's population lives in countries where journalists can operate freely and independently. Can the media safeguard its independence? WION's Palki Sharma gets you the WION Edit.

WION Edit: Attacking the media, a tool for diplomatic retaliation?

A recent report by a US-based committee on Wednesday has once again exposed the repressive state of media in China as the Asian giant has jailed the most number of journalists in 2018.&nbsp;

In 2019, at least 48 journalists are jailed in China, according to the report by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.&nbsp;

The report cites the arrest of Sophia Huang Xueqin, a Chinese freelance journalist after writing about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.&nbsp;

Turkey stands at the second spot, with the imprisonment of 47 journalists, as per the report which also mentions&nbsp;Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Eritrea, Vietnam, and Iran for their jailing of journalists.

The report states that Turkey, which was jailing most journalists in the last three years, has not improved the state of its media, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was successfully able to eliminate criticism and independent reporting.&nbsp;

It added that the Turkish government has shut down over 100 media organisations and framed terror-related charges against many of their employees, putting several reporters out of work and intimidating others.&nbsp;

"Dozens of journalists not currently jailed in Turkey are still facing trial or appeal and could yet be sentenced to prison, while others have been sentenced in absentia and face arrest if they return to the country," the report said.

The report adds that authoritarianism, instability and protests in the Middle East have led to the arrest of a large number of journalists, with Saudi Arabia becoming the third-worst jailer alongside Egypt, each imprisoning 26 journalists. &nbsp;

So, far, no charges have been framed against 18 journalists jailed in Saudi Arabia and the report expressed concern over "beating, burning and starving political prisoners, including four journalists."

Many of the journalists were jailed in Egypt ahead of the anti-corruption protests in September that demanded the resignation of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. &nbsp;

The report mentions that at least 250 journalists were put behind bar around the world.&nbsp;

"CPJ believes that journalists should not be imprisoned for doing their jobs," the group said in its findings.&nbsp;

(with input from AFP) 
&nbsp;

A recent report by a US-based committee on Wednesday has once again exposed the repressive state of media in China as the Asian giant has jailed the most number of journalists in 2018.

A recent report by a US-based committee on Wednesday has once again exposed the repressive state of media in China as the Asian giant has jailed the most number of journalists in 2018. In 2019, at least 48 journalists are jailed in China, according to the report by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. The report cites the arrest of Sophia Huang Xueqin, a Chinese freelance journalist after writing about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Turkey stands at the second spot, with the imprisonment of 47 journalists, as per the report which also mentions Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Eritrea, Vietnam, and Iran for their jailing of journalists. The report states that Turkey, which was jailing most journalists in the last three years, has not improved the state of its media, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was successfully able to eliminate criticism and independent reporting. It added that the Turkish government has shut down over 100 media organisations and framed terror-related charges against many of their employees, putting several reporters out of work and intimidating others. "Dozens of journalists not currently jailed in Turkey are still facing trial or appeal and could yet be sentenced to prison, while others have been sentenced in absentia and face arrest if they return to the country," the report said. The report adds that authoritarianism, instability and protests in the Middle East have led to the arrest of a large number of journalists, with Saudi Arabia becoming the third-worst jailer alongside Egypt, each imprisoning 26 journalists. So, far, no charges have been framed against 18 journalists jailed in Saudi Arabia and the report expressed concern over "beating, burning and starving political prisoners, including four journalists." Many of the journalists were jailed in Egypt ahead of the anti-corruption protests in September that demanded the resignation of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The report mentions that at least 250 journalists were put behind bar around the world. "CPJ believes that journalists should not be imprisoned for doing their jobs," the group said in its findings. (with input from AFP)

China biggest jailer of journalists, Turkey second-worst: Report

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