Asia
2018
Silence from judiciary over media attacks increases self-censorship, Pakistan’s journalists say
When it comes to the military and the judiciary, Pakistan’s journalists are “between a rock and a hard place,” Zohra Yusuf, of the independent non-profit Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, told CPJ. In recent months the judiciary, which has a history of siding with Pakistan’s powerful military, has remained largely silent amid attempts to censor…
Pakistani police arrest, beat Norwegian TV reporter covering political rally
New York, July 17, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Pakistani authorities to allow journalists to carry out their work without fear of reprisal. Journalist Kadafi Zaman, a reporter for Norway’s TV 2, told CPJ he was arrested and beaten by police while covering a political rally on July 13 in Gujrat city,…
Vietnam suspends local news website on accusation of false news
Bangkok, July 17, 2018 – Vietnamese authorities yesterday suspended and fined local news website Tuoi Tre Online on accusations that it published false information, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists called on authorities to immediately and unconditionally lift the ban.
Indian investigative agency questions Kashmiri journalist over interview with separatist leader
New Delhi, 16 July, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) to respect press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir and stop harassing Kashmiri reporter Auqib Javeed and the local daily Greater Kashmir.
Chinese police arrest critical blogger Chen Jieren
Taipei, July 11, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Chinese authorities to immediately release Chen Jieren, an independent blogger who frequently published articles critical of the Communist Party officials on his blog, Jieren Guancha (Jieren Watch).
Independent journalist detained on anti-state charges in Vietnam
Bangkok, July 9, 2018–Vietnamese authorities should immediately release and stop harassing journalist Le Anh Hung, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police on July 5 detained Hung, a regular contributor to U.S. Congress-funded Voice of America (VOA) and a prominent independent blogger, on suspicion of “abusing democratic freedoms” to infringe on the interests of…
Myanmar court charges Reuters reporters under official secrets act
Bangkok, July 9, 2018 – A Myanmar court charged today two Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, under the Official Secrets Act, the news agency reported. The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemned the criminal charges and called on authorities to drop the landmark case, which has major press freedom implications.
CPJ Safety Advisory: Covering Pakistan’s election
Pakistan’s general elections are scheduled for July 25. Journalists covering the election may face intimidation or physical aggression, especially when covering political rallies and protests, and the possibility of terrorist attacks. In May, the Pakistan-based media watchdog Freedom Network documented 23 violations against the media. Journalists are also at risk of abduction or increased online…
Mission Journal: Duterte leads tri-pronged attack on press amid condemnation of controversial policies
Pia Randa is in Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte’s crosshairs. At presidential press conferences, Duterte has repeatedly singled out the reporter by name and referred to Rappler, the news site where she works, as “fake news” and her reporting as “corrupt” and “biased” against his administration.
Sri Lankan politicians try to intimidate journalists over New York Times report
Washington, D.C., July 3, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on opposition politicians in Sri Lanka to stop trying to intimidate local journalists by publicly leveling accusations against them. At a press conference yesterday evening, associates of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa accused two journalists for The New York Times of being tools of the…