Press Freedom Report: April 7, 2025

United States

• Press Access as a Constitutional Battleground
  The legal standoff between the Associated Press (AP) and the White House continued, as the administration upheld its exclusion of AP journalists from official events. The conflict stems from the AP's refusal to adopt politically charged terminology favored by the administration. This episode reflects deeper tensions between journalistic independence and executive messaging control, with broader implications for the role of a free press in a democracy.

• Academic Freedom in the Spotlight
  Wesleyan University President Michael Roth was recognized for his outspoken defense of academic freedom and student protest rights in an increasingly hostile political environment. The acknowledgment comes amid threats by the administration to reduce funding to institutions perceived as dissenting. Roth’s stand highlights how press freedom and academic freedom are increasingly intertwined, particularly as universities face pressure to suppress certain viewpoints.

Brazil

• Judiciary's Expanding Role in Media Regulation
  Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes intensified his oversight of disinformation networks, focusing on far-right digital campaigns. His actions—including investigations, platform penalties, and regulatory demands—have sparked intense debate within Brazil’s media and legal communities. While many applaud efforts to counter digital misinformation, others warn of the risks of overreach and judicial control over speech, creating a nuanced tension between combating extremism and preserving a pluralistic media environment.

Serbia

• Deteriorating Safety for Journalists
  Media watchdogs flagged a spike in targeted threats, harassment, and legal intimidation of journalists in Serbia. The country’s increasingly hostile climate for the press includes politically motivated lawsuits, public smear campaigns, and threats of violence. These developments could complicate Serbia’s diplomatic aspirations, especially its pursuit of closer ties with the European Union, where press freedom remains a core requirement.