Jon Williams

Executive Director @rorypecktrust, non-profit protecting independent journalism across world. Board @pressfreedom. Ex MD @rtenews, Foreign Editor @abc & @bbc

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

Thrilled to be joining @rorypecktrust. Values & purpose matter. @ClothildeR leaves big shoes to fill. Sadly, as #RPT approaches 30th anniversary, it’s vital work more need than ever. Excited to join the team supporting freelance journalists around the world. 1/3 #pressfreedom

[Rory Peck Trust @rorypecktrust]

📢 Announcement

The Trustees of the Rory Peck Trust have appointed @WilliamsJon as its new Director. Jon, former Managing Director of RTÉ News and Current Affairs, will join the Trust in mid-April.

[Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn]

In difficult times for every media company, I’m really proud of @NewsUK for being the first to do this.
https://t.co/KbnZNVGRpL

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

Congratulations to all our finalists— and thank you to everyone who entered. Each is a powerful answer to those who would silence journalists & discredit truth. Together, they give journalism reason to hope. #RoryPeckAwards
https://t.co/woGmupqgHm

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

Truth doesn’t arrive on its own. Every story is the result of a decision to go, to stay and bear witness. On World #PressFreedom Day, being there matters. Truth matters. Journalism matters. #WPFD26

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

While global score is at lowest in 25 years, UK up two places to 18, while Ireland one of just 7 countries in the world where media freedom classed as good. USA fallen 7. #Syria offers hope- up 36 places since fall of Assad. https://t.co/dJAqwNZJzd

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

RSF’s World #PressFreedom Index for 2026 is out - for the first time more than half the world lives in a place where climate for media freedom is “very serious”. < 1% in a country where the situation is classed as good.

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

How we chose the sculpture that will be the UK’s first permanent memorial to journalists killed in service of the truth. #journalismmatters
https://t.co/7McsGi2tTt

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

16 UK journalists have been killed since 2000. They deserve to be remembered properly, publicly & permanently. Journalism matters. Truth matters. And those who die protecting must not - and will not - be forgotten

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

Telling the truth can get you killed. That’s why we’re building a memorial to journalists killed on the frontlines of the fight for truth. Tonight unveiled Woolfgang Buttress’s winning design: ‘End of Copy, Words of Light’.

[Rory Peck Trust @rorypecktrust]

We’re in Perugia for #IJF26. As well as our final safety clinics with @ACOSalliance, today at 1130 CET @williamsjon will be is discussing how funders are approaching safety and sustainability in the Palazzo dei Priori. Watch live or on demand here: https://t.co/PwnyYSTwAK

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

Kuwait: Release journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin from detention https://t.co/9e3Gqnf8rR

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

Shelly Kittleson is as doing vital work as a freelancer in the Middle East - we echo calls for her safe and immediate release.

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

It’s the same old story: journalists smeared, allegations of terrorism but no hard evidence. Journalists are civilians, protected by international law. Targeting them is a war crime. #Israel killed >200 members of the media in #Gaza. It must not be allowed to do so in Lebanon.

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

Deeply concerned at the killing of 3 journalists by the IDF in #Lebanon. #Israel targeted one of the three-Ali Shoaib of Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV-who it accused of being a Hezbollah agent. Fatima Ftouni & freelancer Mohamad Ftouni were also killed in the attack.

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

The annual ‘Murphias’ are out: The who’s who of Irish hospitality in London.
https://t.co/2fbCpRmLBa

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

“Get used to it”. We remember what happened when not enough reporters challenged an Administration starting a war in the Middle East. @jaketapper calls out WH/DoD gaslighting of media. #PressFreedom is your freedom! https://t.co/Gh2OUcfdRC

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

We should all fight for our right to be informed. Proud to support our friends in @FPAIsPal and demand that international journalists be allowed independent access to #Gaza. PressFreedom is your freedom. #letusin

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

The 20 year sentence passed on #JimmyLai is a shameful assault on truth. He & Apple Daily represented #hongkong’s independence- the sentence condemns him to likely die in jail. His crime? Journalism. #pressfreedom

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

Time to sanction those who put #JimmyLai in jail. UK needs constructive, meaningful relationship with #China. But UK Government’s first duty is to protect UK citizens. Time to defend #pressfreedom. #journalismisnotacrime
https://t.co/pOnjrO3miO

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

Happy birthday @rte: 100 years today since 2RN first went on air. Radio a great Irish success story: local & national, public & commercial, all telling #Ireland’s story & creating a shared experience. Lá breithe sona daoibh.
https://t.co/y9A9haaUaK

[Jon Williams @WilliamsJon]

So grateful to team @bbcnews for the thought, creativity & integrity invested in ‘The Firing Line’ - terrific showcase for courage & bravery of freelancers, and for the work of @rorypecktrust. Catch it on BBC News channel this weekend or via iPlayer https://t.co/oBx25YAmFe