AGP Executive Report

Uganda Press Crackdown: Uganda’s military chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered soldiers to shut down Nation Media Group outlets, including NTV Uganda and Daily Monitor, with armed guards sealing offices and broadcasts going dark—an explicit rejection of “free press” that’s now drawing regional press-freedom alarm. Legal Pressure on Journalism: Ghana’s journalists’ association says defamation suits are increasingly used to intimidate reporters, with more than 15 cases pending and litigation costs pushing investigative work into courtrooms. Regulators vs Broadcasters (Pakistan): Geo News apologized after PEMRA suspended it for 15 days over “religious visualisations” during Muharram programming, underscoring how quickly broadcast content can trigger sanctions. Press Freedom Diplomacy (Africa): The East African Press Councils urged governments to de-escalate hostility toward media, warning intimidation and forced closures drive self-censorship. DOJ Antitrust Leadership Gap: The U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust division is again without a permanent chief as it weighs major Google and Apple appeals, raising stakes for how Big Tech is regulated. Minors & Social Media: A Philippine pediatric group warned against unsupervised social media use for children 16 and below, pushing for comanaged accounts and tighter guidance.

Press Freedom Crackdown (Uganda): Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba ordered the shutdown of NTV Uganda, Spark TV and the Daily Monitor, saying he “does not believe in a free press,” with reports of armed security surrounding Nation Media Group offices and stations going dark. Broadcast Regulation (Pakistan): PEMRA suspended Geo News’ licence for 15 days over Muharram coverage in “Safar-e-Ishq,” citing religious depictions it said violated broadcast standards, while Geo News apologized and removed the content. Youth & Social Media Rules (Australia/Philippines): Australia moves to tighten social media regulation for minors, while the Philippine Pediatric Society urges against independent social media use for kids 16 and under, calling for supervised, bounded access. Media Funding for Resilience (Ukraine): Ukraine’s recovery conference announced €1.5m to support Ukrainian media and civil society against Russia’s information warfare. Industry/Tech & Content Standards (UAE/Pakistan): UAE’s National Media Authority ran a Ras Al Khaimah session on 20 media content standards; Pakistan’s Sindh said it uses AI for media monitoring and highlighted journalist protection efforts.

Press Freedom & Regulation: Ghana’s Parliament Minority Leader urged lawmakers to act as a “guarantor” of press freedom as debate swirls around court compliance after Herald editor Larry Dogbey’s bail ruling and contempt fallout. Judicial Pressure on Media: Ghana’s Kojo Asante said journalists should obey court orders first, then appeal—framing the Dogbey case as an individual conduct issue, not an institutional gag. Afghanistan Media Crackdown: Afghanistan Journalists Center demanded the release of Tamadon TV’s director general and an employee held by the Taliban without a court order, after raids shut transmissions. Youth Online Safety: Philippines pediatric groups backed supervised social media use for kids 16 and under, while broader policy debates continue as countries consider age-based bans. Digital Governance: Pakistan’s Sindh minister said the province is using AI-based media monitoring and has set up a Journalists Protection Wing and information commission. Industry Training: Bangladesh’s BCTI highlighted documentary and multi-platform training to grow filmmakers and content creators. NATO & Accreditation: Turkish independent reporters were denied access to cover the Ankara NATO summit, raising fresh concerns about exporting censorship. Media & Democracy in Kenya: President Ruto’s attacks on The Standard Media Group reignited a fight over state pressure and independent journalism ahead of 2027.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld treason convictions and 14-year prison terms for two journalists over Facebook posts tied to border clashes, drawing fresh criticism that courts are being influenced to curb independent reporting. Legal Threats to Journalists: In the US, Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge is back at the Supreme Court after a contempt order that could cost her $800 a day unless she reveals sources. Online Safety & Speech: Illinois lawmakers passed a Children’s Online Safety Act requiring age verification and limits on harmful content for minors, while tech groups warn it will face First Amendment fights similar to Ohio’s. Anti-SLAPP Wins: Montana signed HB 292 to speed dismissals of SLAPP suits and shift attorneys’ fees to plaintiffs if cases are thrown out. NATO Summit Crackdown: Turkey detained 225 people ahead of the Ankara NATO summit, including journalists and an LGBT+ outlet editor, with prosecutors alleging links to terrorism. Media Industry Moves: Stars and Stripes ombudsman Jacqueline Smith sued the Pentagon after being fired, alleging retaliation over editorial independence. Global Journalism Initiative: The IACHR launched the Rickey Singh Initiative to boost credibility, independence and quality in journalism across the Americas.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: Ghana’s Herald editor Larry Dogbey was jailed for contempt, then granted bail after seven days, while the Ghana Journalists Association vows to defend press freedom and seek legal direction. Government Messaging Crackdown: Samoa’s PM axed weekly press conferences for all media, citing “peace” and reducing direct questioning after earlier briefing access bans. Courtroom Pressure on Media: Stars and Stripes ombudsman Jacqueline Smith sued the Pentagon, alleging her firing was retaliation tied to First Amendment-protected criticism. Accreditation Wars: Turkish journalists and outlets say NATO denied accreditation for the Ankara summit; press freedom groups urged NATO chief Mark Rutte to reverse the decisions. Content Monitoring & Youth Safety: Jamaica’s broadcasting regulator was urged to keep high standards of content monitoring and pivot toward misinformation, disinformation and scam risk. Digital Rumors & Child Safety: A Vinted “child trafficking” rumor is under investigation in France, with regulators and police reportedly involved. Industry & Audience: Global Media Forum in Bonn highlighted AI, algorithm power and the young audience news gap.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: Delhi High Court ordered removal of online reports it called “false” about judges’ London badminton trip, raising a free-speech paradox: the judiciary is both complainant and arbiter. Journalists Targeted in Conflict Zones: Yemen reported the car-bomb killing of Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath correspondent Mohamed Eida, with authorities launching an investigation as press groups warn the pattern is worsening. Courtroom vs. Media in Ghana: Accra High Court jailed Herald editor Larry Dogbey for contempt tied to coverage of a $94m fraud petition, with Dogbey insisting “journalism is not a crime.” Regulators Flex in Broadcasting: Georgia’s media regulator fined TV Pirveli for using terms like “prisoners of conscience,” signaling tighter oversight after 2025 amendments. AI & Licensing: Getty announced a multi-year display partnership with OpenAI, pushing its stock up as the market recalibrates how licensing deals may reshape AI training and media rights. Media Skills & Industry Training: South Africa’s AMASA relaunched a media management competence certificate to close gaps between traditional training and today’s multi-platform planning demands. Entertainment Business Bets: Amazon Prime Video teased “Mirzapur — The Movie,” betting a major OTT franchise on a theatrical leap.

Media Trust Rankings: Reuters Institute survey put Greece’s in.gr among the most trusted news brands (42% trust), while Mega led TV credibility (45%) even as overall confidence dipped. Regulator vs Broadcaster: US FCC chair Brendan Carr accused Disney/ABC of “misinformation” over its pushback against investigations tied to The View and local station license renewals. Press Freedom Under Pressure (Ghana): Ghana’s GJA said it’s monitoring the seven-day contempt conviction of Herald editor Larry Dogbey, while legal experts questioned whether the ruling effectively functions like a prior restraint. Courtroom Crackdown (Cambodia): Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld treason convictions and 14-year sentences for two journalists, deepening rights-group concerns about shrinking press freedom. Accreditation Row (Turkey/NATO): NATO rejected accreditation requests for multiple Turkish outlets ahead of the Ankara summit, with journalists and press groups calling it alarming; NATO says it relies on host-country assessments. UK Training Funding: The NCTJ urged the government to restore a journalism training grant stream tied to “trusted news.” Broadcast/Radio Business: Jamaica’s SLEEK Radio 93FM launch highlighted radio’s reach and ad-supported audio dominance. Media-Security Legal Support: Media Defence and UN human rights offices convened lawyers to strengthen press-freedom litigation across Latin America and Europe. Streaming Deal Watch: Fox’s planned Roku acquisition puts more focus on smart-TV platform power in connected TV.

Media M&A: Comcast-owned Sky has agreed terms to buy ITV’s broadcast and streaming unit for about £1.6bn, with ITV Studios (including Love Productions, producer of The Great British Bake Off) excluded—deal talks are reportedly nearing final legal steps. AI & Copyright: A coalition of US local newspaper publishers has sued OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging unauthorized scraping and use of copyrighted reporting to train generative AI, seeking damages and compensation. Press Freedom Under Pressure: NATO denied accreditation to dozens of Turkish journalists ahead of its Ankara summit, while Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld 14-year treason sentences for two journalists over photos from a restricted border zone. Regulation & Youth Safety: The UK is considering rules to push social platforms to prioritize “trusted news,” and multiple jurisdictions are tightening child protections online. India Democracy & Media: On the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, PM Modi and others called it an assault on constitutional rights; NCERT also added the Emergency to Class 9 textbooks, while the government clarified passports aren’t proof of citizenship. Local Media Security: A broadcaster in Roxas City, Philippines, was shot at in an ambush, with officials calling it an attack on press freedom.

Press Freedom Under Fire: Roxas City officials and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security condemned the June 22 ambush of broadcaster Jay Lavapiez, framing it as an attack on press freedom and ordering a swift police probe. FCC vs Broadcasters: ABC launched an on-air push urging viewers to defend local stations as the FCC scrutinizes “The View,” while Americans flooded the FCC with comments asking it to back off. Courts Back Journalists: Nigeria’s ECOWAS Court ordered the federal government to pay N10m damages to journalist Jide Oyekunle after assault, unlawful arrest and phone seizure during #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. Regulation of Youth Online: An attorney general defended proposed social media rules as child-protection, not censorship, as youth-safety debates intensify. Big Tech Accountability: YouTube settled a Florida teen’s lawsuit over addictive design features, avoiding a closely watched trial. Media Ecosystem & Tech: A Turkish media regulator visited Marquette to study U.S. media regulation, while DW highlighted journalism’s economic value and Big Tech’s growing role in news. Industry Moves: Pennsylvania publishers formed PiNA to back digital-first local journalism and reform public notice laws.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: Nigeria’s ECOWAS Court ordered the federal government to pay journalist Jide Oyekunle N10m after he was assaulted, detained and had his phone confiscated while covering the #EndBadGovernance protests, reinforcing that attacks on reporters are attacks on public information. Watchdog Scrutiny: CBS News hired Kenneth Weinstein as an “independent internal advocate,” but staffers say he’s stayed largely silent—no public statements and minimal guidance—sparking criticism that the watchdog “doesn’t bark.” Trust Gap in News: Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report finds global trust at a record low (37%), with Americans at 25%, as social and AI platforms keep pulling audiences even as credibility drops. Social Media Regulation Push: Britain is weighing rules that could force platforms to prioritize “trusted news,” while the Philippines sees renewed calls for a National Social Media Regulatory Board amid youth-safety concerns after a school shooting. Journalism Safety in the Field: Roxas City officials and media-security task forces condemned the shooting attempt on broadcaster Jay Lavapiez, framing it as an assault on press freedom. Media Business & AI: Piers Morgan’s Uncensored closed a $27m round at a reported $145m valuation, while AI video tools are forecast to surge as brands automate creation and editing.

Press Freedom Under Pressure (US): The DOJ issued grand jury subpoenas seeking testimony from Washington Post and Wall Street Journal reporters over national security leak coverage, then withdrew them after legal challenges—another flashpoint in the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against the press. Youth Online Safety (US): A House committee struck a bipartisan deal on kids’ online protections, but the compromise omits a “duty of care” requirement, setting up a tougher fight in the Senate. Broadcast Regulation (Canada): Minority shareholders urged Canada’s CRTC to reject Corus’ recapitalization plan unless it protects editorial diversity and local news commitments. Media Rights (Kurdistan): Journalists’ rights groups demanded an apology after PUK leader Bafel Talabani insulted a reporter during a press interaction. Local Journalism at Risk (Philippines): Student journalists in Montgomery County, Maryland, pushed to reverse a policy requiring administrative review of school publications, arguing it undermines press freedom. Safety & Accountability (Philippines): A task force is expanding the probe into the shooting of broadcaster Jay Lavapiez in Capiz, with CCTV footage under review. Global Spotlight (Afghanistan): Taliban forces raided Kabul private TV station Tamadon TV and halted broadcasts without explanation. Industry Leadership (US): TEGNA named Patrick Paolini’s new C-suite leadership team as it navigates ongoing merger litigation.

Social Media Regulation Push: Britain is weighing rules that would make BBC, ITV and Channel 4 (plus other “trusted” outlets) easier to find on feeds and searches, as Ofcom data shows social platforms are a major news source and misinformation is widespread. Kids Online Safety: In the US, a federal appeals court let Ohio’s under-16 parental-consent social media law take effect, while a US House committee struck a bipartisan deal on safeguards for children and parents. Platform Accountability in Practice: A US House committee deal and Ohio’s court ruling both signal tougher oversight, even as tech groups warn it could override user choice. Press Freedom Under Pressure: Seychelles public broadcasters are urging a pause on the SBC Bill over concerns it could weaken editorial independence through governance and funding controls. Creator Ecosystems: A new Reuters Institute podcast episode spotlights how news creators shape media and politics, tying into the broader debate over who gets attention online. Misinformation Tactics: Azerbaijan’s “apology videos” are being used as a coercive tool, according to reporting on how public contrition spreads. Local Media Security: Sri Lanka is stepping up dengue control with a tri-forces monitoring unit and a new 3-day program across 600 local divisions, underscoring how public comms and trust matter during crises.

Local Journalism Under Pressure: Iowa anchor Dustin Nolan’s viral on-air goodbye sparked backlash over “sanitized news,” but he says the story was twisted and insists he didn’t quit on-air. Platform Regulation: UK culture officials are weighing rules that would push “trusted news” (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and others) higher in social feeds and searches, as misinformation concerns grow. FCC/License Fight: ABC launched an on-air and local-market campaign urging viewers to comment to the FCC over investigations tied to The View and license renewals. State-Level Internet Policy: Illinois is headed back to court over a new “social media fee” in its budget, widely viewed as a tax on internet platforms. Press Freedom in Courts: California and San Francisco settled a lawsuit over a law restricting discussion of sealed arrest records, while Nigeria’s SERAP urged the release of Omoyele Sowore amid defamation/cybercrime charges. Media Rights Abroad: Kurdistan’s PUK says arrest warrants for Channel 8 staff violate press law; Afghanistan reports a Taliban arrest of an Uzbek cultural activist. AI’s News Impact: A Reuters Institute finding says 1 in 10 people use AI chatbots for news weekly, but only 4% click back to original sources. Industry Appointments: BIA Advisory Services named Michael Guerity VP for market intelligence and strategic communications. Culture & Media: V&A East opened “The Music is Black,” reframing Black British music history through major genres and artifacts.

Press Freedom Under Fire: UN special rapporteur Irene Khan warns freedom of expression is being squeezed as states weaponize speech laws and digital access, citing the case of detained Philippine journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio. Local Journalism Funding: Germany’s top media regulator Thorsten Schmiege says big digital platforms should pay a “diversity contribution” to protect local journalism, calling it democratic infrastructure. UK Local News Struggles: Ipsos iris data shows UK local newsbrands are losing audience and minutes, with Reach sites among the worst hit after Google algorithm changes. Media-Security Partnership: Nigeria’s NUJ honored DSS DG Adeola Ajayi for strengthening media-security cooperation, framing it as a path to stability and safer reporting. Journalist Safety in Conflict Zones: Al Jazeera condemned the killing of cameraman Ahmed Wishah in Gaza, rejecting Israeli claims and calling for accountability. Digital Wellbeing Debate: UK youth group Woodcraft Folk urges a rethink of under-16 social media bans, arguing for protections beyond age cut-offs. On-Platform Payments: Roundtable launched real-time onchain ad revenue payouts to publishers via USDC and Coinbase rails, aiming to replace slow settlement cycles. Regional Migration Reporting: Eastern African media leaders backed the Mombasa Statement for responsible, fact-based migration coverage to counter misinformation and trafficking.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: EFJ’s Ankara meeting, themed “Journalism under siege,” warned that polarisation and attacks are shrinking the space for free reporting, with AI and digital change now central to the fight. Security vs. Media Tensions (Nigeria): Nigeria’s NUJ named DSS DG Oluwatosin Ajayi “Man of the Year” for media-security partnership, but Omoyele Sowore and integrity groups condemned the move as a betrayal of press freedom. Courtroom Win for the Press (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s High Court quashed charges against Independent editor Faith Zaba and AMH, ending a case widely criticised as targeting journalism. Safety and Violence: A former Ogun broadcaster, “Aunty Kitan” (OGTV), was killed at home; in Abia, police arrested a suspect caught on video assaulting a woman. Media Policy & Tech: Laos urged traditional outlets to adopt AI and digital tools to survive; Indonesia backed information integrity and journalist safety at UNESCO. Audience Trust & Editorial Ethics: Iowa anchor Dustin Nolan quit on-air, calling out “sanitized news” and urging facts over comfort. Child Safety Online (UAE): UAE lauded science-backed rules banning social media for under-15s.

Press Freedom Under Fire: Al Jazeera cameraman Ahmed Wishah was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza’s Bureij camp, with Israel calling him a Hamas operative while Al Jazeera rejects the claim—another blow to already strained journalist safety. Media-Security Partnership: Nigeria’s NUJ honored DSS DG Adeola Ajayi after a national security summit focused on “media and security agencies” working together on responsible reporting. Journalists Detained/Threatened: Ethiopia’s CPJ urged the release of detained journalist Salsawit Baynesagn; Bangladesh’s Editors’ Council protested the arrest of Md Rejanur Islam under the Cyber Security Act. Platform Rules & Creator Economy: Instagram expanded originality rules beyond Reels, limiting aggregator accounts from recommendations unless they add meaningful creative input. Industry Funding & Training: Malaysia’s PM backed HAWANA welfare and the Media Innovation Fund, with HAWANA booths promoting AI agent and multimedia training. Digital Media Economics: Vietnam’s outlets face ad flight to global platforms and struggle to build sustainable digital business models. Tech & Connectivity Buzz: MWC26 Shanghai set themes around 6G, mobile AI, satellite links, and smart healthcare.