PRESS CONFERENCE
The Press Under Threat in Japan, Asia and Elsewhere
Jacob Weisberg, Chair, Committee to Protect Journalists
11:00-12:00, Friday, May 22, 2026
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in English.
Journalism is under unprecedented pressure. While reporters face increased threats and intimidation, global press freedom has dropped to its lowest level in 25 years. Reporters Without Borders says that more than half of the 180 countries that it surveyed now fall into "difficult" or "very serious" categories, with only 1% of the world's population living in nations with "good" conditions for journalists. Yet, with the rise of populists and authoritarians, the need for journalism remains greater than ever.
To talk about press freedom particularly in Asia, the FCCJ is proud to invite Jacob Weisberg, the chair of the Committee to Protect Journalists, one of the leading global groups defending the rights and safety of the press. He will talk about the pressures on the press in Japan and elsewhere and on individual reporters such as Shinnosuke Kawashima, the NHK Tehran bureau chief currently jailed in Iran.
Weisberg speaks from experience. He is the executive chair of Pushkin Industries, an audio production company that he co-founded with Malcolm Gladwell. Prior to that, he was editor-in-chief of Slate and managed Foreign Policy magazine. He is the author of several books, including "The Bush Tragedy," "Ronald Reagan," and "In an Uncertain World," co-written with former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin.
Please join us for a timely and important look at the threats facing our profession.
How to attend:
Please register by emailing front@fccj.or.jp with your name and the name of your media outlet. FCCJ members should also include their membership number. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event.
How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live
How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/fNq3ApgHViExHh8p6
TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. FCCJ will limit live-streaming of FCCJ-hosted press conferences to Club members only. Non-members will no longer be permitted to live-stream these events. However, non-members may still film for reporting purposes and use footage after the press conference.
Professional Activities Committee