At our recent AP Forward webinar, we reflected on the global challenges facing press freedom and the lessons AP has learned while reporting from some of the most restrictive environments in the world.
Press Freedom Under Pressure
AP Executive Editor Julie Pace detailed the challenges AP teams face in countries like China, where foreign media encounter strict visa limitations, surveillance, and systemic barriers to expanding reporting teams. Despite these hurdles, AP maintains a significant footprint in China and continues to produce strong coverage.
In Russia, meanwhile, the situation became even more precarious following the invasion of Ukraine.
“We still have a strong team on the ground in Russia,” Pace shared, “but we had to move some text reporters out just to be able to cover the story accurately – for example, to legally refer to the conflict as a war.”
In Gaza, AP’s all-Palestinian reporting team has carried out brave, relentless coverage under extremely difficult conditions.
“Every day they’re pulling off a minor miracle to show the world what’s happening,” Pace added.
A Global Pattern Emerges
What we see across these examples is not a series of isolated struggles – but a global trend. According to Brian, more governments are watching each other, learning how to suppress independent media through surveillance, intimidation, and logistical or legal restrictions – often without outright censorship. For AP, the lesson is clear: defending press freedom globally demands internal preparation, resilience, and active industry leadership.
Next Steps
To address these mounting global challenges, AP will:
- Strengthen international collaboration to promote access and safety standards.
- Support peer organizations navigating similar restrictions.
- Continue to call on authorities to allow independent journalists into Gaza and other places where media access is limited.
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