Trouble with the Truth

In this final episode of Trouble with the Truth that concludes Season Two, we turn to the most inescapable topic of the summer - the upcoming US presidential elections. We will leave the details of the political drama to the pundits and instead focus on what we know best - journalists covering the elections. With president Trump's divisive rhetoric and increasingly hostile attitude towards mainstream media, how can reporters best protect themselves when doing their job? How do they navigate their usual professional risks, such as police violence, online harassment and doxxing? Lana is discussing these and other issues with Jeje Mohhamed, a holistic safety and security advisor and risk management expert. Her impressive CV includes PEN America, the International Women's Media Foundation and a seat on the advisory board for the Coalition Against Online Violence. They explore why the threats against journalists are on the rise in this stage of the US political developments. Jeje also shares her expert advice on why risk assessment is crucial when covering a story and what safety strategies work best in different scenarios. She also covers online safety and the ways in which journalists can protect themselves and explains why cooperation is superior to competition.

On the surface, Hong Kong remains a dazzling city and a successful financial hub with hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. However, local journalists and activists will tell you a very different story. In 2019-2020, Hong-Kong was swept up in a wave of protests in response to the draconian National Security Law introduced by China to end Hong Kong's autonomy from the mainland. Despite the backlash, the bill became a reality. The wide list of provisions includes sending cases for trial in mainland China, holding trials behind closed doors and letting pro-Beijing legislators interpret the law - to name just a few. Moreover, incorporated into the law is Article 23 that criminalises everything that it deems as secession, subversion, extremism and collusion with foreign or external forces. In 2021, two of the largest outlets Apple Daily and Stand News, became the first victims and were forced to shut down. Many more independent media outlets closed since then fearing repercussions. Hundreds of journalists covering the Umbrella protests were beaten and detained. A group of pro-democracy campaigners ‘Hong-Kong 47' were charged with sedition and most of them are still awaiting sentencing. In this episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana talks to a Hong-Kong based journalist who preferred to remain anonymous. They tell us about the chilling effect of the NSL on Hong-Kong's once thriving media and their own trauma at witnessing their offices being raided by police. They also discuss how the nature of journalism has changed since the introduction of the law and why there is still a strong appetite for honest reporting.

On 30 May, a new report produced by the digital rights organisation Access Now and Citizen Lab revealed the details of the latest Pegasus attack on Russian and Belarusian journalists and activists. Pegasus, a sophisticated spyware made by Israel's NSO Group made headlines in 2021 when it was discovered to have been targeted at thousands of people from all over the globe, including human rights activists and media workers. What makes this spyware so dangerous is that it doesn't require clicking on a link and some victims may never discover that they've been hacked. It can penetrate IOS and Android systems and gain full access to a device- including photos, passwords emails and even microphone. In this episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana talks to Natalia Krapiva, the Senior Tech-Legal Counsel at Access Now about the latest targets of Pegasus attacks. Among them: the CEO of Novaya Gazeta, Maria Epifanova, journalists Evgeny Pavlov and Evgeny Erlikh, Belarusian activist Andrei Sannikovand, and the editor-in-chief of independent Belarusian media website Charter97.org - Natallia Radzina. They discuss what makes Pegasus so hard to identify and who could be behind it - while Russian and Belarusian authorities are the most obvious suspects, the truth is more complex. Finally, Natalia shares some useful advice on how journalists can protect themselves from spyware and what steps they should take if they discover they've been hacked. Useful resources: Access Now Digital Security helpline: https://www.accessnow.org/help/Citizen Lab Tools & Resources: https://citizenlab.ca/category/research/tools-resources/Justice for Journalists Media Safety Academy: https://jfj.academy/en/

Online harassment, intimidation, lack of access, government monopolies on media - we're used to seeing such offences in countries with poor media freedom records. But what if all this was happening right on our doorstep, here in Europe? In this episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana discusses the declining state of media freedoms in the EU with Oliver Money-Kyrle, the Head of Europe Advocacy and Programmes at the International Press Institute. They talk about the gap between the values projected by European institutions and the reality faced by independent journalists - from media capture and unregulated AI to malicious lawsuits and the dangerous anti-press rhetoric from right-wing politicians. And most importantly: what's being done on the individual and institutional level to combat these challenges? 

On the 28th May, the Georgian parliament overturned the presidential veto of the highly contentious ‘Foreign Agents' law that had sparked weeks-long mass protests across the country and was strongly condemned by the international community. Should it come into force, any non-profit or media that receives over 20% of funding from overseas sources will have to register as “organisations acting in the interest of a foreign power” and face strict scrutiny from auditors and enormous fines. In this episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana speaks with returning guest Mariam Nikuradze, a Georgia-based reporter and co-founder of OC media. They discuss how the bill will affect independent media in the country, why some journalists might have to consider exile and what's it been like covering the protests on the ground. They also talk about the wider implications of the law- with parliamentary elections coming up in October 2024, the ‘Foreign Agents' bill has the potential to dramatically alter the future of the country and crush the dreams of joining the EU, supported by 80% of Georgians.

In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana secures an exclusive with Rana Ayyub, one of India's most prominent journalists. In 2016 she published an investigative book titled the ‘Gujarat files' looking into the 2002 Gujarat riots that took the lives of nearly 1000 people, mainly Muslims. In 2024, Rana reflects on how the current anti-Muslim propaganda pushed by the Indian PM Narendra Modi and his BJP party reminds her of that dark chapter of her country's history. As a staunch critic of Modi's government, Rana has faced a relentless online harassment and death threats while also being hit with questionable lawsuits. She talks about the her latest legal battles and why despite all the pressure, she will never be silenced. 

Before 2019, Natalia Zubkova was a homemaker and a mother of three from a coal-mining Siberian city of Kiselyovsk. But when extreme air pollution caused by open-pit coal mining covered white snowy cityscape with black soot, it was time to act. ‘Black Snow', a documentary directed by Alina Simone and produced by Kirstine Baford, tracks Natalia's journey as a citizen journalist, documenting environmental catastrophe in her city and trying to hold local politicians and coal-mining magnates to account.  In this episode of Trouble with the Truth, the makers of ‘Black Snow' Alina and Kirstine tell Lana what drew them to Natalia's story and why this David v Goliath battle succinctly captures the struggle of environmental journalists and activist against the mafia-like industries. Alina also talks about the pressure she was under when filming in Russia and Kirstine explores the concept of humanitarian filmmaking and how they helped to evacuate Natlalia following death threats.

In this episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana speaks with the founder of the Tehran Bureau media Kelly Golnoush Niknejad. As a teenager, Golnush left Iran with her family following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and later became a journalist in the US. In 2008 she launched Tehran Bureau, at first as a blog and then as a website. Since then, this English-language media has been offering in-depth, nuanced takes on Iranian politics and society. Golnoush shares her experience of settling in the US and what it took to set up an independent media that was so different from what was on offer. She also talks about Iranian protests one year on and the continuous threats against dissidents that makes their work difficult even in the West.

In 2022, Kyrgyzstan was ranked 72nd out of 180 countries on the press freedom index but in 2023, it plunged all the way to the 122nd spot, the sharpest decline of any country ever. Despite high levels of corruption and state-mandated human rights violation, Kyrgyzstan has always had a strong civil society and thriving independent media. However, since president Sadyr Japarov took over in 2020, the space for freedom of expression has rapidly shrunk. What happened? In this episode of Trouble with the Truth, exiled human rights activist and lawyer Leila Seiitbek talks about recent developments- the arrest of 11 independent journalists in Kyrgyzstan, the closure of prominent social media outlets and the controversial ‘foreign representatives' law that places NGOs in danger. Is Japarov drawing inspiration from other Central Asian authoritarians when it comes to trampling independent voices? How are the journalists resisting? Is another wave of protests likely? Find this out and more, in this new episode of Trouble with the Truth.

Russia's illegal and brutal war against Ukraine has entered its third year. For two years, Ukrainian journalists have tirelessly covered the full-scale invasion while taking cover in bomb shelters and arranging the evacuation of their loved ones. Not only have they uncovered the horrific massacres of Bucha and Irpin and documented the siege of Mariupol but also held their own government to the account. In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana speaks to the editor-in-chief of Zaborona media and the co-founder of 2402 foundation Kateryna Serhatskova. How did Ukraninan journalists adapt to this new, dangerous environment? Why are discussions on mental health and burnout as important as ever? Why is it still crucial for journalists to investigate corruption and cronyism even in times of war? What is the 2402 foundation and how is helping media workers in Ukraine and beyond? What can we do to keep supporting Ukrainian journalists today? Find out all of this and more in this episode of Trouble with the Truth.  If you'd like to support Ukrainian media workers please donate at https://2402.org

In Ecuador, 2024 set off to a dramatic start, as the whole country anxiously watched masked gunmen storm a local TV station and take journalists hostage on live broadcast. This was part of a series of coordinated attacks that spread across the country like wildfire, resulting in 30 car explosions and kidnapping of seven police officers - a grim reality of an ongoing war between the local drug gangs and law enforcement. How did this once peaceful, picturesque country descent into chaos in less than a decade and why have journalists become targets? Isabel Ponce, a founder of the progressive Ecuadorean media outlet GK helps is to make sense of this, in the latest episode of Trouble with the Truth. She tells Lana about her outlet's ground-breaking investigative reporting and how the death threats force her reporters into exile. Isabela reveals the roots of unrest, threats that she personally faced and what can be done on a national level to protect journalists.

In this episode of Trouble with the Truth, we pivot from our usual themes by delving into the murky world of disinformation campaigns amplified on social media platforms and the ways to combat it with a Coda Story senior reporter Isobel Cockerell. The rapid advancement of Big Tech over the past decade and the more recent AI revolution is irrevocably changing the way we live and think. It also creates a new reality in which line between truth and falsehood becomes blurred or altogether erased. With the wide spread of online disinformation and dangerous conspiracy theories, a journalist job is becoming tougher and more important than ever. AI generated deep fakes are becoming a prominent feature in online warfare that is increasingly used to harass and intimidate journalists. Why are Big Tech moguls failing to stop disinformation campaigns? What regulations could be put in place to aid journalists? Is AI a threat or a blessing for the future of independent reporting? Why is effective storytelling is the best way to combat disinformation? Find out in the latest episode of Trouble with the Truth. 

In this episode, Lana talks to the Financial Times correspondent Polina Ivanova about the arrest of the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges by Russian authorities, and the inspiring campaign for his release.It has been ten months since the arrest of US citizen Evan Gershkovich, whose parents emigrated from the Soviet Union in the 1970s. Evan is being held at the notorious Lefortovo pre-trial detention centre, isolated from his loved ones and awaiting a trial date. He has been charged with espionage, a ludicrous claim denied by Evan and everyone close to him. His only ‘crime' is writing the objective truth about Russian politics - from Covid and corruption to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While the Biden administration is negotiating a deal behind closed doors as part of a prisoner swap with Russian authorities, Evan's friends and family are doing everything in their power to bring his release forward and keep his spirits up. Polina talks about the ‘letters to Evan' initiative that oversees hundreds of letters written to Gershkovich by friends and strangers. She also touches upon the current conditions of her friend and whether a change in US government will make any difference to the negotiations.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion on 24 February, Ukraine has become one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. There is evidence that the Russian army has been deliberately targeting journalists who are telling the truth about the war. At least eight media workers have been killed so far, countless more kidnapped, harassed and turned into refugees overnight. Nonetheless, the bravery and determination of Ukrainian reporters has no bounds and for this episode of Trouble with the Truth Lana spoke to four of them. You will hear from an independent journalist Olga Tokariuk, Roman Stepanovich- the founder of Zaborona Media, Vera Chernysh- CEO and co-founder of Creator Media Group and Sergei Tomilenko, the president of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.What is happening to Ukrainian journalists in the territories occupied by Russian troops? What stories do they tell once they manage to escape? How do journalists manage to carry on their professional duty, while trying to survive and evacuate their loved ones? What can be done to preserve a free media and protect journalists in Ukraine? Find out in thia new episode of Trouble with the Truth.These interviews were recorded prior to the release of the images of the Bucha massacre Donation links:https://2402.org/ -to protect Ukrainian media workers https://fundrazr.com/cmg-campaign?ref=ab_7SarseQ4euF7SarseQ4euF - to support Ukrainian media

SLAPPs or Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation are lawsuits that are designed not to win in court but rather to silence, intimidate and bankrupt the defendants. Over the past years, this type of vexatious litigation has become a tool to stifle independent journalists all over the world, especially those who write about the rich and powerful. London had a reputation for being a “libel capital” for a while and the Defamation Act of 2013 did very little to change it. This new episode of Trouble with the Truth unpacks the term SLAPPs and takes a look at how defamation suits are being used to gag free media. Our guest Rebecca Vincent from Reporters without Borders talks about the case of the Guardian journalists Carole Cadwalladr who is being sued for libel by British businessman Aaron Banks. All over twenty-three words that she said at her 2019 Ted Talk. Scott Stedman, the founder of Forensic News, explains why he is being sued in the English Court by a British-Israeli citizen Walter Soriano, although the journalist never stepped foot on the British soil. Finally, Susan Coughtrie from the Foreign Policy Centre outlines the steps taken to tackle the problem of SLAPPs in the UK.

From early January of this year Kazakhstan was rocked by a wave of protests.   They started in Zhanaozen over fuel price hikes but soon spread all over the country. The initial demands –economic reforms and regime change –were overshadowed by looting and violence. It's been reported that 225 people lost their lives in the bloodshed, although the real number might be higher.   This new episode of Trouble with the Truth explores what happened in Kazakhstan during the protests. We take a look at the vast property empire of the Nazaebayev's family and its links to the crisis.   Journalist Madina Alimkhanova talks about her experience reporting from the street in Almaty during the protests and the attacks she faced. Regional expert Erica Marat discusses the underlying causes of the unrest, the potential power struggle between the former and the current presidents and the dangers of inviting foreign troops to handle a domestic crisis. Journalist and activist Lukhpan Akhmedyarov, who was imprisoned during the protests, talks about the role of agent provocateurs and how the latest crisis in Kazakhstan might benefit president Putin. 

In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana talks with a journalist from Uzbekistan about the state of media freedom in the country. The 25 year old dictatorship of Islam Karimov was accompanied by human rights abuses and silencing of independent voices. When president Shavkat Mirziyoyev took power in 2016, it appeared that Uzbekistan was to take a new direction rooted in reform and liberalization. Many dissidents and journalists were released from imprisonment and independent media outlets were allowed to function freely. However, journalists still must think twice before writing about the president's family and other tabooed topics. The new regime may not use prison and torture to intimidate journalists but other tactics, such as troll campaigns, defamations and legal threats, can be equally damaging for media workers. It is very telling that the speaker requested we alter her voice, skip video and omit any personal details.

  In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana Estemirova interviews journalist and writer Sonya Winterberg about the challenging evacuation of Afghan journalists after the Taliban takeover.  Sonya learned of the Taliban entering Kabul while she was a recording an interview for a radio show. Her first thoughts were about friends and colleagues left behind and since the middle of August, she has dedicated herself to helping Afghan journalists to flee and settle somewhere safe. Unfortunately, many were left behind and their future remain uncertain.   Lana and Sonya spoke about the exhausting process of getting the journalists out of danger, whether Taliban 2.0. is any different from their predecessors and what the international community can do for Afghan people. 

 In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana interviews Lebanese journalist Mohamed Kleit. They discuss the horrors that unfolded on the day of the explosion and the political and economic turnmoil that followed. Mohamed shares his own personal journey  and the struggles he faced in the aftermath of the blast.  On 4 August 2020, an enormous amount of ammonia nitrate that was stored in Beirut port exploded, resulting in over 200 deaths, 7000 injuries and leaving over 300 000 people homeless. The explosion set of economic shockwaves that reverberated long after the blast, coupling with the global pandemic to make the recovery incredibly challenging. One year on, victims and families are still seeking justice to no avail. The Lebanese government has failed to authorise a proper investigation with some politicians actively sabotaging the search for justice.  Mohamed opens-up about the PTSD that he still suffers from the day. He speaks about the difficulties of holding Lebanon's corrupt government to account over the explosion, the economic hardships that people are facing and the difficult choices he had to make in order to tell the truth. He is currently working as a freelance video-journalists as well as being a media coordinator for the Alternative Syndicate of Press Assembly. 

In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana speaks to a senior investigator from the Sentry about the Central African Republic- one of the most dangerous countries in the world. They discuss a recent Sentry report that exposes the links between a major French sugar refinery and local militias implicated in massacres and human rights violations. They also touch on the infamous Wagner group – a secretive Russian military contractor that's linked to Putin ally Evgeny Prigozhin. The Wagner group has been accused of committing shocking crimes against civilians in CAR although officially, the military company is not registered anywhere. This episode doesn't reveal the face of the speaker in order to protect their identity. 

In the latest episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana meets Jake Hanrahan, the founder of Popular Front. He vowed to produce a different kind of conflict reporting – raw, independent, accessible, and sponsored solely through public donations. Popular Front has released documentaries, podcasts and articles on conflicts all over the world- Palestine, Ukraine, Hong-Kong, Turkey, Northern Ireland and many more.  In this episode, Jake talks about his latest docs on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, 3-D printed guns and the man behind them and what makes Popular Front so special. He alsshares some advice he would give to an aspiring conflict reporter.

 She was threatened, harassed, attacked and sent to prison for 2.5 years but it only made Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova more determined to pursue the truth. For years she's been exposing the corrupt underbelly of the Azerbaijani elite, linking it to international firms and European politicians. Her work, including the Panama Papers investigations, has gained her notoriety all over the world but also attracted powerful enemies.  In the latest episode of Trouble with the Truth, Khadija talks about the trials of an independent journalist in Azerbaijan, on her investigations into the Azarbaijani ‘Laundramat', on what kept her spirits high when she was in prison and her criticism of ECHR mechanisms. 

In 1990 Columbia was shocked by the horrific murder of popular investigative journalist Silvia Duzan. She was working on a hopeful story about how several peasant leaders banned together against the violence of cartel rule but ended up being assassinated alongside her interviewees.  Thirty years later, filmmaker Paola Desiderio is exploring the tragic event and the story around it in her upcoming documentary “The Law of Silence”. It is a sad yet inspiring story about the perseverance of human spirit in the hardest of circumstance and a decades-long search for justice. Paula tells us why the documentary is still relevant, whether Columbia is any safer for journalists today than thirty years ago and what can be done to break the cycle of violence. 

In this episode of Trouble with the Truth journalist Mariam Nikuradze recalls the shocking attacks on journalists that took place in Tbilisi on 5 July. That day was supposed to be a celebration of Pride but the organizers were forced to cancel the event because of numerous threats. Despite, the cancellation far-right mobs still turned out in force and targeted anyone who looked LGBTQ. It was journalists that suffered the most: over fifty media workers were attacked, many ending up in hospital. In a tragic turn of events, cameraman Lexo Lashkarava, who sustained serious injuries was found dead several days later. Following his death, thousands of people rallied on the streets demanding the resignation of government ministers.  The investigation is on-going...

Journalist and filmmaker Dairus Bazargan talks to us about his upcoming documentary on Nazanin-Zaghari Ratcliffe and his undercover work investigating ritual killings in Malawi that almost cost him his life. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian citizen, has been held hostage by the Iranian government since 2016, following her arrest on trumped-up spying charges. Nazanin was released in 2021 only to be faced with an additional charge that will trap her in Iran for at least another year. Darius has been in close contact with Nazanin's husband Richard Ratcliffe and daughter Gabriella, capturing the difficult journey of the family as they campaign for her release. Darius also shares an emotional account of his undercover trip to Malawi in 2018, where he was investigating the murder of children by adults who sell their body parts as talismans for rich buyers. Daris and his team were taken to be the real murderers, and they soon found themselves surrounded by villagers with sharp machetes.

Last year's protests in Belarus seemed like a watershed moment that was poised to bring an end to the 26-year rule of president Alexander Lukashenko.  The peaceful demonstrations that started with songs, chants and red-and-white flags were soon met with state-sanctioned violence that saw thousands of people imprisoned and many more fleeing the country. There were widespread reports of beatings, torture and the inhumane treatment of prisoners – those on the outside faced intimidation and the prospect of losing their jobs. The latest news from Belarus that shocked the world was the dramatic abduction of journalist Roman Protasevich, whose Ryanair flight was force-landed in Minsk, creating an international scandal. While he is currently under house arrest, his future looks bleak.  In the latest episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana Estemirova talks to risk analyst Alex Kokcharov and journalist Hanna Liubakova- about the role of telegram channels in resistance, the fate of Roman Protasevich, whether sanctions work and how crackdown on Belarusian media is complicating the job of reporters. 

It's been over three months since the military coup in Myanmar that has resulted in violence and mass protests. Press freedom has suffered immensely, as the military junta shut down the internet, muzzled and attacked journalists. In this latest episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana speaks about the origins and the consequences of the coup with UK-based academic and human rights activist Maung Zarni. He is a co-founder Forces of Renewal Southeast Asia network, Burmese coordinator of the Free Rohingya Coalition and has been engaged in activism for over thirty years. Zarni gave a detailed and thought-provoking account of the events in Myanmar – the unravelling of the coup, how people came together to join the fight against the junta and how civilians and journalists are navigating the social media and information shutdown. He touches on what can be done at a local and global level to help topple the military dictatorship.

We have reached a grim milestone with the ten-year anniversary of the Syrian revolution that turned into a bloody war and tore the country apart. In the latest episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana interviews a very special guest: Syrian journalist Zaina Erhaim, who is currently based in London.It takes an unsurpassed kind of bravery to report on what was happening on the ground and Zaina was one of those journalists. She explains why she chose to leave her studies in London and go back to face the danger, and how she managed to keep herself safe. Zaina also speaks about the challenges of being a female journalist in a conflict zone and why people did not believe she was Syrian. To listen to the full interview, tune into the latest episode of Trouble with the Truth.

In the latest episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana interviews Somali journalist Abdalle Ahmed Mumin. Somalia has an appalling record when it comes to press freedom – more than 70 journalists have been killed since 1992, their murderers enjoying total impunity. Abdalle has received numerous threats because of his reporting and narrowly survived an assassination attempt in 2015. He was forced to hide his family and go into an exile. This made his subsequent return to Somalia particularly extraordinary - not only did he go back to reporting but he also helped to set up the Somali Journalists Syndicate. Abdalle spoke to me about the organisation of his Syndicate's mission and how their work has been affected by the global pandemic. He also addressed Somalia's dangerous new Media Law and stressed why the international community should pay attention to what's happening in Somalia.

In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana interviews journalist Clare Rewcastle-Brown who helped to uncover the infamous 1MDB corruption scandal in 2015. The focus of their discussion wasn't the investigation itself but the legal turmoil and harassment that followed it. Not only has she been banned from entering Malaysia but while living in the UK, the journalist was subjected to a defamation campaign, hacking, surveillance and intimidation. The harassment was orchestrated by reputable UK based law firms and PR agencies. Clare is also fighting multiple civil and criminal lawsuits, filed in the UK and Malaysia. They discuss why SLAPP lawsuits are so damaging for free media and how they should be handled and whether the UK government should do more to deal with this problem. 

In their latest investigation, Roman and his colleagues examined the suspects involved in the murder of Belarussian journalist Pavel Sheremet, who was working in Ukraine. Pavel was killed by a car bomb as he was leaving his home in 2016. It took three years for the Ukrainian police to come up with the murder suspects. The investigation has proved controversial, with critics calling it flawed as it failed to uncover the masterminds behind the hit. In the interview, Roman elaborates on the details of the investigation: how they went through the phone logs of the murder suspects and discovered new connections. He also talked about who might have been behind the murder and why the pursuit of the truth is so important for Pavel's colleagues.

In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth Lana interviews Evin Barış Altıntaş, a journalist and the founder of the Media and Law Studies Association. MLSA provides legal support to journalists, promotes press freedom and the rights of minority groups.  The past few years have been disastrous for Turkish independent journalists. In 2016, using the failed coup attempt as a pretext, Tayyop's Erdogan's government imprisoned thousands of journalists, activists and academics. According to Barış, Turkish president has always viewed independent media as an enemy. Those who scrutinized his policies and his personal wealth paid a heavy price. According to Amnesty International, more than 120 journalists are currently imprisoned, and more than 2500 media outlets were closed in the recent surge of repressions.Barış recounts how Kurdish reporters, being members of a marginalized minority, face even tougher crackdown from the Turkish government. Another aspect of this crisis is the soaring unemployment amongst journalists, with many having fled the country fearing prosecution. Tune into the new episode of Trouble with the Truth to hear Barış's detailed and eloquent account.

In the new episode on Trouble with the Truth, Lana interviews Roman Dobrokhotov from The Insider- an investigative media outlet that together with Bellingcat uncovered the names of the would-be murderers of the Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny. Journalist Timur Kuashev, activist Ruslan Magomedragimov and a politician Nikita Isaev (once close to Kremlin) all died suspiciously - there is now evidence that Navalny's poisoners were involved in the string of assassinations. To find out the details of this investigation and the way it was carried out, to learn more about Kremlin's fears and what drives fearless journalism in Russia- tune in to the new episode of Trouble with the Truth.

In the new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana talks to Susan Coughtrie, from Foreign Policy Centre. Susan is the editor of their latest report “Unsafe for Scrutiny…” that “explores the role that the United Kingdom plays as a hub for the facilitation of global financial crime and corruption, as well as for services that can be utilised against journalists reporting on this topic.” SLAPP legislation has become a powerful silencing tool used against independent journalists from all over the world. Despite some reform attempts, London remains the capital of “libel tourism”. Why is this damaging for the UK international reputation and will it get worse after Brexit? Who are the journalists affected by SLAPPs? What does all of this have to do with Russia Report? Tune in to find out.  

In 2020's final episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana reflects on the year that has passed and takes a closer look at the mission and work of the Justice for Journalists Foundation - the organisation that has helped bring this podcast to life. Maria Ordzhonikidze, the JFJ's Director, talks about the origins of the foundation, the projects it sponsored over the course of this year, and how their Media Safety Academy is helping journalists from the post-Soviet space stay safe. Maria also reflects on the events that help feel hopeful during these uncertain times.

In this episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana chats to the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Coda Story Natalia Antelava. The news about vaccine was met with glee but also contributed to the spread of conspiracy theories and false information online. What impact has the continuous disinformation had on independent journalism before and during the pandemic? Why have some populist leaders thrived because of the coronavirus falsehoods? Against all of this, has the role of a journalist morphed into something more than simple reporting of the truth? Find out in the new episode.

 In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana Estemirova continues to explore Mexico's appalling record on journalists' safety.  Special guests are freelance journalist and writer Paula Mónaco Felipe and Juan Sebastián Salamanca from Article 19.  Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist. More than 140 journalists have been killed there since 2000 and countless more have been intimidated, harassed, attacked and driven out of the country. In more than 99% of cases, the murderers have not been found and prosecuted. How does one decide to become a journalist in such a risky environment? Can certain politicians be as dangerous as drug cartels when it comes to stoking up hated against independent media? What mechanisms are in place to ensure the safety of journalists and what are the limitations? We discussed all the above and much more in the new episode of Trouble with the Truth. 

In the new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana interviews Rebecca Vincent from Reporters without Borders.  Rebecca has been monitoring the extradition trial of the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. After spending seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy, the journalist has been arrested by the Met police in 2019 and if extradited to the US, he's facing 175 years in prison. Rebecca talks about the importance of this case for freedom of the speech worldwide and why we must look beyond Assange's controversial persona when talking about the trial. They also spoke about the pandemic of disinformation that was exacerbated by Donald Trump's presidency and how to handle online hate from twitter trolls. 

In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana Estemirova investigates why writing about women's rights in the North Caucuses leads to threats and intimidation of journalists and activists.“I've been given orders to handle the feminists,”- said man's voice on the phone. It wasn't the first time Dagestani journalist Svetlana Anokhina has been threatened. Daptar, the online portal where she works, dares to frankly discuss topics considered taboo in the North Caucasus: domestic violence, bride kidnappings, honour killing, feminism amongst others. It is not the only outlet that talks about women's rights. There are multiple accounts on Telegram, Vkontakte, Instagram that do the same - and quickly become swamped with threats and abuse, mostly from men. In this ultra-conservative, patriarchal region of Russia, women are finding their own ways of talking about what matters to them, despite the danger that truth brings. To bring this episode to life, Lana has spoken to Svetlana Anokhina and anonymous admins from a successful women's Telegram channel. A representative from a civil rights organization Janette Akhilgova kindly provided some background to this complicated issue.

In this new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana Estemirova interviews Andres Arturo Solis Àlvarez, a freelance journalist and teacher based in Mexico.  Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist. More than 140 journalists have been killed there since 2000 and countless more have been intimidated, harassed, attacked and driven out of the country. In more than 99% of cases, the murderers have not been found and prosecuted. How does one decide to become a journalist in such a risky environment? Can certain politicians be as dangerous as drug cartels when it comes to stoking up hated against independent media? How easy is it cover the pandemic in Mexico? We discussed all the above and much more in the new episode of Trouble with the Truth. 

London, 8th October- in the new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana Estemirova interviews Bektour Iskender, a journalist from Kyrgyzstan and one of the founders of Kloop media.  Several days prior to Kyrgyzstan's post-election protests that resulted in toppling of the government, Lana recorded an interview with Bektour Iskender, one of the founders of Kloop media. What started as a website run by a university dropout in 2006, turned into a successful online platform that carries out impressive investigative work and trains a generation of new journalists. Fittingly, they spoke about the impact of the revolution of 2010 and how it helped to put their website on the map. They also discussed the power of youth journalism, what media organisations can learn from international drug cartels and the fate of the first Kyrgyz satellite, build by a team of girls.

On the 7th of September, a shocking video started circulating across Chechen social media. In the video, a young man called Salman Tepsurkaev denounces his work for Adat telegram channel and is forced to rape himself with a bottle. Adat is one of the few outlets that writes about human rights abuses in Chechnya and corruption amongst the elites. In Chechen, Adat means an unwritten set of laws and rules, a fitting name for the outlet. These channels are being constantly hunted by the authorities. Salman is their first victim.For this podcast, Lana spoke to several journalists working in the region and incorporated their responses into the podcast without revealing their identities. Criticism of the regime is not tolerated in Ramzan Kadyrov's Chechnya – it is dangerous for foreign and Russian journalists and is deadly for the locals. The republic is a very challenging place for reporting because the lives of the sources are under threat too if they speak out. Social platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp and telegram provide a space for ordinary Chechens to express their anger with the regime anonymously and it is where journalists can find all the information they need.However, as Salman's case shows, you can still be identified and caught. In the podcast, Lana also talks about murders and attempted murders of Chechen bloggers critical of Kadyrov's regime who live abroad – it is a terrifying trend that proves that nowhere is safe anymore.

London, 9th September- in the new episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana Estemirova interviews Caroline Muscat, the founder of The Shift News, based in Malta.  It's impossible to talk about independent media in Malta without mentioning Daphne Caruana Galizia- a courageous investigative journalist who was killed three years ago for exposing the corrupt underbelly of her country. Caroline talks about the public enquiry of her murder and how the journalist's gruesome death pushed her to found her own media outlet- Shift News. Sponsored through public donations, Shift News takes on corrupt politicians and businessmen, while remaining fully independent. Caroline and I also discussed their latest investigations and what do her and her colleagues do to keep themselves safe. 

London, 30th August- in our second episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana Estemirova interviews Anna Nemtsova, a Moscow-based journalist for the Daily Beast.  They discuss the case of Ivan Safronov, a former journalist who was arrested and charged with treason in what appears to be a politically motivated move. A correspondent for Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers and military reporter in the past, Ivan had been working for the Russian Space agency when he was arrested and charged. His friends and colleagues are convinced that his arrest is politically motivated. Ivan has published exclusive exposes on sensitive military topics and has been threatened on multiple occasions for his work. His father, also a journalist and columnist who covered military affairs for the daily newspaper Kommersant, died after falling from the fifth floor of his Moscow apartment building in 2007. The conversation also touches upon the rising trend of treason charges, the important role of investigative journalism and the difficulties of being an independent journalist in Putin's Russia.

London, 18 August 2020 – In the first episode of Trouble with the Truth, Lana Estemirova interviews Mariya Sadouskaya Komlach, Belarussian journalist and a media analyst based in Europe.The conversation is focused on the challenges of reporting in times of the revolution, how and why the protests started, what is happening with the President-elect Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and finally – what the international response to President Lukashenko's war against his people should be.Since 9 August, Belarus witnessed the most remarkable protests in its history. Angered by the rigged presidential election, people took to the streets, calling for Alexander Lukashenko to resign. His government responded with brutal force: riot police indiscriminately attacked peaceful protesters and imprisoned thousands. The reports coming from journalists and ordinary citizens speak of violent beating, torture and inhumane conditions in prisons. The work of independent journalists was also hindered by blocked internet, targeted beatings and illegal imprisonments.Trouble with the Truth is the podcast produced by Lana Estemirova in partnership with the Justice for Journalists Foundation. Lana talks to brave and resilient journalists from around the world who face persecution just for doing their job and lets her audience hear voices that usually remain hidden behind the curtain.