Asia documents by Year:
Rappler-CIA plot claim is attempt to cut funding, Philippine journalists say
May 21, 2019 3:22 PM ET
First were the politically motivated state charges that funding provided to the news website Rappler by a U.S. philanthropic foundation represented a violation of constitutional provisions barring foreign control or ownership of Philippine media....
Journalists fighting fake news during Indian election face threats, abuse
May 21, 2019 1:15 PM ET
The six-week-long voting period in India's national and provincial elections concluded this week, with results expected on Thursday, according to news reports. For journalists, the campaign has brought a familiar deluge of online abuse....
Sri Lankan army reinstates official suspected in Lasantha murder, other attacks
May 15, 2019 11:50 AM ET
New York, May 15, 2019 -- The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed alarm that a Sri Lankan military intelligence official--who, according to news reports and court documents, is linked to attacks on at least three journalists--was restored to active duty....
Myanmar journalist Aung Marm Oo in hiding as police seek his arrest
May 13, 2019 12:02 PM ET
Bangkok, May 13, 2019 -- Myanmar authorities should immediately cease harassing and threatening to arrest Aung Marm Oo, editor-in-chief of the privately owned Rakhine state-based news agency Development Media Group, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today....
CPJ calls for withdrawal or modification of Hong Kong extradition bill
May 13, 2019 11:25 AM ET
Hong Kong, May 13, 2019 -- The Hong Kong government should withdraw a proposed bill amending its extradition law that potentially exposes journalists and others in Hong Kong to criminal trial in mainland Chinese courts, or modify the bill to include additional safeguards to prevent arbitrary rendition, the Committee...
Journalists injured in election-related violence in West Bengal
May 10, 2019 10:43 AM ET
New Delhi, May 9, 2019 -- The chief election officer of West Bengal should immediately intervene to prevent attacks on journalists covering the ongoing elections in the state, and the state government should ensure that those involved in the attacks are held accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists said...
Singapore passes 'fake news' legislation that threatens press
May 9, 2019 10:23 AM ET
Bangkok, May 9, 2019 -- The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the Singapore parliament's passage of legislation that could be used to stifle reporting and the dissemination of news, and called for the punitive measure's immediate repeal....
Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo freed by pardon in Myanmar
May 7, 2019 12:24 AM ET
Bangkok, May 7, 2019-- Reuters' journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released today from a Yangon prison in Myanmar as part of a presidential pardon, after spending more than 500 days behind bars, Reuters reported. The journalists were released in a mass amnesty of prisoners granted today...
Social media still blocked in Sri Lanka following terror attack
April 29, 2019 6:35 PM ET
Several social media sites remained blocked in Sri Lanka today, according to NetBlocks, an independent, international civil society group that monitors internet censorship. Sri Lankan authorities blocked the sites, along with several messaging apps, throughout the country on April 21, following a terrorist attack that left more than 253...
Myanmar military sues The Irrawaddy for criminal defamation over conflict coverage
April 25, 2019 11:32 AM ET
Bangkok, April 25, 2019 -- Myanmar's military should drop its criminal defamation case against independent news outlet The Irrawaddy over its coverage of the conflict in the country's Rakhine state, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today....