Earlier this month, my Office discussed the crucial role of cooperation to strengthen media freedom & foster security at the #UKMFF2026 & in meetings with the Media Freedom Coalition, @unesco.bsky.social, @pressfreedom.bsky.social, @globalfreemedia.bsky.social & @ofcom.bsky.social, among others.
High Level Panel Chair Baroness Kennedy and Deputy Chair Can Yeginsu spoke at this year’s #UKMFF2026 on safeguarding press freedom against legal threats. We also heard from experts on navigating AI, defending democracy and creating resilience.
On 6 March 2026, IBAHRI Co-Chair Mark Stephens CBE spoke at #UKMFF2026 at a session on Defending #Democracy: Countering Disinformation & Navigating #AI. Emphasising the impact of #legal interventions in #MediaFreedom, Mr Stephens said: ‘Lawfare is censorship just with better tailoring. 1/3
Today marks the UK launch of the Safety of Journalists 2026 report, bringing together key organisations to discuss issues including media capture, transnational repression, and the political dimensions of the findings.
Read the full report ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/press-f...
#UKMFF2026.
PEN International is at the Media Freedom Forum today, connecting with partners and allies across the media freedom movement.
Thanks to International Bar Association, The Foreign Policy Centre and Justice for Journalists Foundation.
#UKMediaFreedomForum #UKMFF2026.
🚨 Presentation of the Europe Press Freedom Report 👉 go.coe.int/LjTes today at the #UKMediaFreedomForum Session No.6
Register and join us live 👉 city-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#UKMFF2026 #EuropeForFreeMedia @globalfreemedia.bsky.social @indexoncensorship.org @cartooningforpeace.bsky.social
🔵 Starting shortly | #UKMFF2026
Day Two of the UK Media Freedom Forum 2026
Opening conversation between
@skcoughtrie.bsky.social
and @emilythornberry.bsky.social MP
🚨 Presentation of the Europe Press Freedom Report 👉 go.coe.int/LjTes tomorrow at the #UKMediaFreedomForum Session No.6
Register and join us live 👉 city-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#UKMFF2026 #EuropeForFreeMedia @globalfreemedia.bsky.social @indexoncensorship.org @cartooningforpeace.bsky.social
🟢 Now at #UKMFF2026
Media Freedom Fair & networking reception, followed by remarks from Baroness Helena Kennedy LT KC.
🟣 Starting soon | #UKMFF2026
Launching the Centre for Journalism & Democracy
Opening: melbunce.bsky.social
Chair: Prof Julie Posetti
Speakers: jodieginsberg.bsky.social, Prof Jane Martinson, Prof Inderjeet Parmar & Lea Hellmueller
Closing: Prof Karen Fowler Watt
Deputy Chair @canyeginsu.bsky.social spoke at the #UKMFF2026 alongside the Ambassador of Human Rights of Finland Katja Pehrman, @brouilas.bsky.social (@globalfreemedia.bsky.social) and Tarja Turtia (@unesco.bsky.social) on the work of the Panel to counter legal threats to journalists
🔴Now #UKMFF2026 - Countering #SLAPPs: UK Legislation & Press Freedom
Opening presentation by: nikwilliams.bsky.social (indexoncensorship.org)
Chair: Charlie Holt (clidef.bsky.social)
Speakers: mirandaoccrp.bsky.social, joshih.bsky.social, Sirin Kale (The Guardian) & Rupert Cowper-Coles (RPC)
Now!!! | #UKMFF2026
Safeguarding Press Freedom Against Legal Threats
Chair: Amy Brouillette
(@globalfreemedia.bsky.social)
Speakers: Tarja Turtia, Can Yeginsu & Ambassador Katja Pehrman
🟢 Starting shortly | #UKMFF2026
Independent Media in Conflict-Affected Regions
Chair: Sir John Whittingdale MP
Speakers: Sergiy Tomilenko, Liz Gibbons & @doughtystintl.bsky.social
Intervention by Renaud Gaudin De Villaine
Attending #UKMediaFreedomForum at the City St George’s, University of London along with our partners and the form co-organisers @fpcthinktank.bsky.social
#UKMFF2026
🔵 Starting shortly | #UKMFF2026
Session 1
Beyond Borders: Journalists & #TransnationalRepression
Chair: Simon Papuashvili ( @iphr.bsky.social)
Speakers: @alsuk.bsky.social, Michela Wrong, Aidar Botagarov, Renaud Gaudin De Villaine & Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC
Intervention by Izzy Cutts (FPC)
🚨 Presentation of the Europe Press Freedom Report tomorrow at the #UKMediaFreedomForum Session No.6
Register and join us live 👉 city-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#UKMFF2026 #EuropeForFreeMedia @globalfreemedia.bsky.social @indexoncensorship.org
@cartooningforpeace.bsky.social
🔵 Starting now | #UKMFF2026
Opening of the UK Media Freedom Forum 2026
Welcome remarks:
Vafa Fati-zade (Justice for Journalists Foundation) & Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC
Keynote:
Chris Elmore MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary, FCDO
#MediaFreedom #PressFreedom
If you’re joining us, don’t forget to use #UKMediaFreedomForum 2026 & #UKMFF2026 and tag us in your posts.
🔎 Full programme: mediafreedomforum.co.uk
🚨 Tomorrow we kick off the #UKMFF2026
We’re looking forward to welcoming you for two days focused on #MediaFreedom and democratic resilience.
We begin with opening remarks from Vafa Fati-Zade & Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC + keynote from Minister Chris Elmore MP.
See you there!!!
🎉 We’re excited to announce that Day One of #UKMFF2026 will wrap up with a Media Freedom Fair.
🗓️ 5 March | 17:00–18:30
Meet the organisations defending #MediaFreedom and supporting journalists across the UK & beyond.
🔗 Register: mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/
🚨 Announcing Session 7 of #UKMFF2026
🗓️ 6 March | 15:50–16:50
Next Steps: Resilience Mechanisms – What is Working and Where?
In a landscape shaped by political pressure, #Disinformation & economic fragility, how do we strengthen #MediaFreedom?
🔗 Register: mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/
🚨 UK launch of the 2026 Annual Report of the Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform at the #UKMFF2026
🗓️ 6 March | 15:30–15:50
Monitoring threats, media capture & #TransnationalRepression.
🔗 Register: mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/
🚨 Session 6 | #UKMFF2026
Media Literacy & Local News as a Democratic Defence
🗓️ 6 March | 14:00–15:10
As civic trust declines, #LocalNews and #MediaLiteracy are becoming essential democratic safeguards.
🔗 Register: mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/
🚨 Alongside the main programme, day two of the #UKMFF2026 will feature 3 parallel workshops designed to equip participants with tools to support #MediaFreedom in practice.
🗓️ Friday 6 March | 12:00 - 13:00
Register: mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/
🔗 Full programme: mediafreedomforum.co.uk
🚨 Day Two of the #UKMFF2026
🗓️ Friday 6 March
Opening: @skcoughtrie.bsky.social(FPC) in conversation with @emilythornberry.bsky.social MP.
Then Session 5: Defending Democracy- Countering #Disinformation & Navigating #AI.
Register: mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/
🚨 Announcing Session 4 of the #UKMFF2026
Countering #SLAPPs: UK Legislation & Press Freedom
🗓️ 5 March | 15:10–16:20
How can the UK strengthen protections against #SLAPPs and defend #MediaFreedom?
mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/
🚨 Announcing Session 3 of the #UKMFF2026
Strengthening Global Responses to Legal Threats
🗓️ 5 March | 14:00–14:50
As legal threats against #Journalists grow worldwide, this session explores practical international solutions.
mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/
🚨 Announcing Session 2 of the #UKMFF2026
Independent Media in Conflict-Affected Regions
🗓️ 5 March | 12:00–13:00
Independent media document #HumanRights abuses & counter propaganda in conflict zones — often at immense risk.
mediafreedomforum.co.uk/registration/
