Asia

2019

  
Police stand guard outside a court in Yangon, Myanmar, on August 9, 2019. The Mandalay District Court recently agreed to hear an appeal that could reopen a criminal defamation lawsuit against editor Swe Win. (Reuters/Ann Wang)

Myanmar court to hear appeal in defamation case against journalist Swe Win

Bangkok, August 29, 2019 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a decision by Myanmar’s Mandalay District Court to hear an appeal that could reopen a criminal defamation lawsuit against editor Swe Win.

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A security official is seen in Beijing on June 4, 2019. Chinese authorities recently announced the formal arrest of blogger Yang Hengjun. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)

Australian blogger Yang Hengjun arrested in China on espionage charges

Taipei, August 28, 2019 — Chinese authorities should immediately release Yang Hengjun and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Indonesian soldiers stand guard during a protest in Timika, Papua province on August 21, 2019. Indonesia has ordered an internet shutdown in the region, restricting journalists trying to cover spreading violent protests. (AP Photo/Jimmy Rahadat)

Indonesia should restore internet access in restive Papua region

Bangkok, August 22, 2019—Indonesian authorities should immediately restore internet access to the provinces of Papua and West Papua and refrain from imposing any restrictions on journalists covering civil unrest in the region, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Najam Sethi is seen in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 21, 2014. Sethi's TV program was recently cancelled after receiving complaints from Prime Minister Imran Khan. (AP/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistani news program cancelled amid defamation suits from prime minister

On August 6, 2019, Pakistani broadcaster Channel 24 HD cancelled the “Najam Sethi Show,” a news and political commentary program, after the broadcaster’s management received a phone call from an unidentified individual demanding the show be dropped, according to Najam Sethi, the show’s host, who spoke with CPJ on the phone.

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An Indian paramilitary soldier patrols during a security lockdown in Srinagar, on August 14. Indian authorities detained at least two journalists in Jammu and Kashmir in the past week. (AP/Dar Yasin/File)

At least 2 journalists detained amid tensions in Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi, August 16, 2019—The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on the Indian government to immediately stop its harassment of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir and to allow them to work freely. Authorities have detained at least two journalists in the past week amid tensions and the communications blackout in the region.

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Pro-democracy protesters block the entrance to the airport terminals at Hong Kong's international airport on August 13, 2019. The protesters that day assaulted a journalist from China’s Global Times at the airport. (AFP/Manan Vatsyayana)

Hong Kong protesters assault journalist from China’s Global Times

Taipei, August 14, 2019—The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over an assault on a Chinese reporter covering pro-democracy protests at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday.

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CPJ calls on authorities in Shenzhen, China to release labor journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists writes to authorities in Shenzhen, China, calling on them to release Yang Zhengjun, Wei Zhili, and Ke Chengbing–editors for the labor news outlet ILabour.net–and cease all legal proceedings against them.

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A farmer carries harvested rice stalks in Ifugao province, Philippines on June 30, 2011. A reporter in Ifugao who covered local land and rights issues was shot August 6, 2019. (Reuters/Cheryl Ravelo)

American journalist shot, critically wounded in Philippines

Bangkok, August 9, 2019 – An American journalist working in the Philippines was shot and critically wounded on August 6 while retrieving his daughter from school in the northern province of Ifugao, according to his outlet and other press reports.

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Indian security personnel check the identity of a motorist during a curfew in Srinagar on August 8, 2019, as widespread restrictions on movement and a telecommunications blackout are in place after the Indian government stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy. (AFP/Tauseef Mustafa)

In Kashmir, obstruction, confiscated equipment, and hand-carrying stories and photos on flash drive

“You are from the press, you are not allowed,” a local Kashmiri news editor says Indian security forces told him yesterday at one of the dozens of checkpoints set up across the region.

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Police fire tear gas during protests in Hong Kong on August 5. A video journalist was knocked unconscious after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister while covering unrest in the Sham Shui Po district. (Reuters/Tyrone Siud)

Video journalist injured by tear gas canister at Hong Kong protest

Taipei, August 5, 2019—Hong Kong authorities should investigate reports that police fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets toward journalists and ensure that the media can cover protests without fear of injury or arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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2019