Asia

Bangkok, May 14, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Thai politician Suchart Chomklin to immediately drop his criminal defamation lawsuit against Kowit Phothisan, editor of the independent online outlet The Isaan Record, and on Thai authorities to strengthen protections against strategic lawsuits targeting journalists. Kowit faces charges for sharing a Facebook post related to…

New Delhi, May 12, 2026—Maldivian authorities must immediately release journalists Mohamed Shahzan and Leevan Ali Nasir and end judicial harassment of their news outlet, Adhadhu, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. According to a report by Adhadhu and a post on X by the Maldives Journalists Association, a court in the capital Malé sentenced…

New York, May 12, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to immediately and unconditionally release two journalists from TOLOnews and end the harassment of media workers following a raid on the broadcaster and its parent company, Moby Group. Taliban intelligence agents detained TOLOnews presenter Mansoor Niazi on May 7 in…

New York, May 12, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges U.S. President Donald Trump to do everything possible to secure the release of jailed Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai during his meeting this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Lai, a British citizen and founder of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced to…

The Committee to Protect Journalists and six other press freedom and human rights organizations have written to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, urging his government to cease using the criminal justice system against independent news outlet Adhadhu News. On April 27, police from the Serious and Organized Crime Department raided Adhadhu’s office in Malé, seizing journalists’…

New Delhi, May 7, 2026—Indian authorities must swiftly investigate and hold responsible those behind an attack on two journalists who were beaten after asking critical questions to a minister in the eastern state of Jharkhand, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On April 28, Ashish Kumar, a reporter for regional satellite news channel Raftaar…

New York, May 5, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Chinese authorities to grant medical parole to jailed journalist Dong Yuyu so he can receive urgent treatment for a potentially dangerous lung tumor. “Dong Yuyu requires immediate attention for a fast-growing lung tumor and a host of other medical concerns,” said CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Director…

Bangkok, April 30, 2026—Myanmar’s junta must restore the recently revoked publication licenses of three local news agencies — the Khonumthung Media Group, Chin World, and Myatmaukkhit News Agency — and cease its persecution of independent media groups, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. The military bans, effective on April 9 and formally announced on…

Bangkok, April 30, 2026—The Philippines government must immediately conduct an independent investigation into the killing of community journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma and hold any military members responsible for his death accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On April 19, Ledesma, a writer and editor at the local Paghimutad Negros and former editor-in-chief of…

New Delhi, April 29, 2026—Indian authorities in the southern state of Telangana must drop their investigation into social media news outlet TeluguScribe and stop the misuse of anti-terror legislation to silence criticism in the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On April 18, the Intelligence Department of the Telangana Police issued a formal…