Panel discussion : Transnational Repression on Journalism

From London to Istanbul, Moscow to Tehran, the threats faced by journalists no longer stop at national borders. Transnational repression – the coordinated targeting of journalists and dissidents by authoritarian regimes abroad – is escalating, and the UK is not immune. This urgent panel discussion follows the publication of the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ July 2025 report on transnational repression, which concluded that foreign regimes are operating with impunity on UK soil to surveil, threaten, and silence critical voices –including journalists. The event will bring together leading journalists and lawyers to examine how governments are weaponising international law, using tools like INTERPOL Red Notices, digital surveillance, and diplomatic pressure to stifle independent journalism globally. We’ll hear first-hand accounts from journalists who’ve been targeted, assess the UK’s legal and political response, and examine what reform is urgently needed. This event aims to spotlight the UK’s role and responsibility in confronting transnational repression; equip journalists and civil society with knowledge of their rights and risks; centre the voices of those most affected – journalists, activists, and human rights defendersand advocate for urgent legal and policy reforms to protect media freedom.

Rhys Davies is a barrister at Temple Garden Chambers; international human rights expert; founder International Human Rights Advisors; Editor of the Red Notice Monitor blog. Rhys will examine how transnational repression challenges the UK’s legal and moral obligations under international human rights law. Drawing on his evidence to Parliament and extensive legal practice, with recent cases involving Russia, Georgia and Iran, he will propose practical steps to strengthen institutional resilience.

Catherine Philp is the Chief Diplomatic Correspondent at The Times. Catherine brings a powerful firsthand account as a British journalist targeted for her reporting. She will reflect on being banned from Russia, facing arrest threats, and how global repression increasingly shapes the way British journalists operate and the silence from Western governments in the face of press freedom violations.

Sahar Zand is an investigative journalist and filmmaker who has made films for BBC, Channel 4 and Vice amongst others. Sahar will share her reporting on Iranian, Chinese, and other regimes’ intimidation of journalists and activists living in exile. She will detail how threats, digital surveillance, and coercion of family members are increasingly used as transnational tools of fear and censorship.

Ben Keith is a barrister at 5 St Andrew’s Hill; extradition and human rights specialist; founder International Human Rights Advisors; Editor of the Red Notice Monitor blog. Ben will outline how authoritarian states misuse legal and policing instruments such as INTERPOL, extradition requests, and financial blacklists to pursue exiled journalists. He will speak to the complex intersection of asylum, extradition, and immigration, detailing cases where clients fleeing persecution are simultaneously targeted with politicised Red Notices and legal harassment. Ben will argue that the UK’s current legal framework not only lacks adequate safeguards but can actively compound the repression these individuals face.