Essex journalism expert helps expose global threat to press freedom in landmark international report

The University of Essex's Director of Journalism, Martin Bright, has played a leading role in a major international report warning that governments across the world are increasingly using national security as a weapon to suppress media.

Published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), National Security as a Weapon Against Journalism argues that laws designed to protect states are increasingly being used to prosecute, imprison, surveil and intimidate journalists. The report warns this growing trend is affecting both authoritarian regimes and democratic nations, threatening press freedom and the public's right to reliable information.

Martin played a central role in the report as one of its principal editorial contributors. He said: "I hope this report will spark a discussion among senior journalists about how we redefine ourselves, build the protections necessary and learn from the experience of journalists who have managed to fight back against the authoritarian tendencies in their governments."

Alongside serving as Contributing Editor, his writing in the report explores how national security has become an increasingly common justification for restricting journalism. His commentary argues that governments around the world are learning from one another in their use of national security laws to limit scrutiny and reporting in the public interest, demonstrating how these practices have become increasingly normalised across both democratic and authoritarian states.

Drawing on examples from around the world, including Gaza, Hong Kong, Russia, France and the United States, the report finds that national security legislation is increasingly being used to prosecute journalists reporting in the public interest. It highlights the growing use of counterterrorism laws, the expansion of surveillance powers and the widening definition of national security beyond traditional defence issues. To address these concerns, RSF has set out ten recommendations aimed at strengthening legal protections for journalists and reinforcing press freedom.

Martin has also discussed the report on the Media Confidential podcast alongside former The Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger and former Financial Times editor Lionel Barber. The podcast brings together leading journalists and media experts to examine the biggest issues facing the news industry, with the episode exploring how national security legislation is reshaping press freedom around the world and why the report's findings matter now more than ever.

Listen to the Media Confidential episode here:

Essex students are taught by experts contributing directly to some of the world's most important conversations about the future of journalism and the challenges of protecting a free press, including Martin's work with organisations such as RSF and Index on Censorship. Learning from academics and practitioners who are actively shaping international debates on media freedom gives Essex students first-hand insight into the legal, ethical and political challenges facing modern journalism.