# The week in corruption, 19 April 2019 URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/the-week-in-corruption-19-april-2019 Type: Blog Published: 2019-04-19 Updated: 2020-03-11 --- ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/0_Ramaz6WWUUXmKpLq.png?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=650&h=365.625) Posted on: 19 April 2019 ![Transparency International logo](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/TI-logo_Medium.png?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) Transparency Int'l *The fragile freedom of the press* Since the [arrest of Julian Assange](https://transparencyinternational.createsend1.com/t/r-l-jizhrjk-l-d/) last week, press freedom has become a hot topic once again. The polarising Wikileaks founder was arrested and charged with conspiracy to hack a United States government computer containing classified documents. While the [indictment](https://transparencyinternational.createsend1.com/t/r-l-jizhrjk-l-h/) does not charge Assange for anything to do with publishing leaked documents, some [organisations](https://transparencyinternational.createsend1.com/t/r-l-jizhrjk-l-k/), [journalists](https://transparencyinternational.createsend1.com/t/r-l-jizhrjk-l-u/) and [academics](https://transparencyinternational.createsend1.com/t/r-l-jizhrjk-l-o/) fear that his arrest could set a dangerous precedent for press freedom. Unfortunately, we are seeing an [ongoing trend](https://transparencyinternational.createsend1.com/t/r-l-jizhrjk-l-b/) of attacks on the media and sometimes journalists themselves. Just this week, a decision by Brazil’s Supreme Court (STF) clearly [violated the freedom of the press](https://transparencyinternational.createsend1.com/t/r-l-jizhrjk-l-n/) and fundamental principles of democratic rule of law. The court used a secret investigation to justify the censorship of a media article, labelling it “fake news” that threatened the STF and its members. Unless the decision is immediately reversed, the STF risks setting a dangerous precedent, threatening civil liberties in the country. Fake news is one of the greatest dangers to democracy today — not only because it spreads false information but also because the term is often used to discredit factually accurate reporting. Anti-corruption activism relies strongly on trust in independent media outlets, as well as the use of social media as a means of communication, and fake news undermines this trust. Citizens, activists and governments should take this seriously and consider [strategies](https://transparencyinternational.createsend1.com/t/r-l-jizhrjk-l-p/) to guard against fake news and protect press freedom. For any press inquiries please contact