William Horsley is CFOM’s International Director. He has a leading role to promote CFOM’s global mission to strengthen international protections for free and independent media and freedom of expression through research and analysis, advocacy, topical public events and seminars and policy advice to governments and media. He also engages with inter-governmental organisations, such as UNESCO and the Council of Europe.
His International Director’s Column focuses on issues of media freedom across the world alongside providing a snapshot of the advocacy work that William does. You can find his pieces below.
European ministers conference put spotlight on “autocrats” and opponents of media freedom
By William Horsley, International Director of CFOM The June 10-11 ministerial conference on Media and Democracy co-hosted by Cyprus and the Council of Europe shone a rare spotlight on the actions of European governments accused of persecuting journalists and ‘state...
A legend of Turkish journalism was assassinated for his work 28 years ago: Is Europe willing to defend journalists at risk today?
By William Horsley, International Director of CFOM Uğur Mumcu, a renowned Turkish investigative journalist and columnist for the leading newspaper Cumhuriyet, was murdered just 28 years ago, in a car bomb explosion on 24 January 1993. The perpetrators of that crime...
Leading human rights lawyer says “concrete changes” needed to reverse setbacks for media freedom worldwide
Can Yeginsu, a member of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom set up last year, says “concrete changes” in the actions of states are needed to reverse a marked decline in media freedom standards worldwide. The Panel’s core goal is to bring about a...
Breaking down the wall of silence about violence against journalists in Europe
Centre for Freedom of the Media (CFOM) international director William Horsley writes on the findings and recommendations for future action in A Mission to inform: Journalists at risk speak out. The book, co-authored by William Horsley and Dr Marilyn Clark, associate...
The Commonwealth’s twin problems with media freedom and a blueprint for action
By William Horsley “It’s never been so bad”. With those words Kayode Soyinka, the London-based publisher of Africa Today, summed up the wide consensus that emerged from the Media Freedom Panel discussion during the Taking Stock of the Commonwealth day-long global...