Asia

  
Indian journalist Rajeev Pratap, who ran the YouTube news channel Delhi Uttarakhand Live.

CPJ calls for credible investigation into death of Indian journalist Rajeev Pratap

New Delhi, September 29, 2025—Indian authorities must conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the death of journalist Rajeev Pratap, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday. “Authorities in Uttarakhand state should not discount any possible causes of Rajeev Pratap’s death, including his family’s serious allegation that he was targeted for his journalism,” said…

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Frenchie Mae Cumpio has been held in prison for more than five years.

CPJ and more than 250 journalists urge Philippine leader to free Frenchie Mae Cumpio

New York, September 24, 2025—More than 250 journalists and representatives from media groups around the world on Wednesday called for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take “decisive action” and immediately release journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, in a letter coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio coalition. The 26-year-old journalist has…

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An undated photo showing Border News Agency reporter Mu Dra.

Myanmar rebels abduct Border News Agency reporter Mu Dra

Bangkok, September 23, 2025—Myanmar’s Arakan Army must account for and immediately release local Border News Agency reporter Mu Dra, who was abducted by the rebel group’s forces on September 20, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. “All combatants in Myanmar’s civil war have a responsibility to protect and not target journalists in retaliation for…

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CPJ urges China to release journalist Zhang Zhan after second conviction

Editor’s note: Zhang Zhan was sentenced to four years in prison on September 19 for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” according to media reports and sources who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. The headline and first paragraph of this alert have been updated to reflect the sentencing. New York, September 19, 2025—The Committee to…

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Lawyer Apar Gupta, the executive director of digital rights group the Internet Freedom Foundation.

‘No safeguards’: Why India’s new tax law poses a ‘severe risk’ to journalists

A new tax law in India that grants authorities sweeping powers to access emails, cloud accounts, and encrypted devices during searches has generated widespread concern among journalists and digital rights advocates, while adding to a raft of tax legislation around the world that could be weaponized against the media.  India’s parliament on August 12 passed…

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Gautam Adani, the chairperson of Indian conglomerate Adani Group.

Indian government uses court order to censor reporting on Adani Enterprises

New Delhi, September 18, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned by a directive from Indian authorities ordering the removal of dozens of allegedly defamatory media items about Adani Enterprises and calls on the government to stop censoring legitimate reporting on powerful business interests. On September 16, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ordered…

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An Afghan man uses the internet at the Lincoln U.S. support library in Herat December 13, 2009.

Taliban blocks fiber optic internet in Afghan provinces for ‘immorality’

New York, September 17, 2025—Taliban authorities must immediately restore fiber optic internet in Balkh and up to nine other provinces to ensure that Afghan citizens have access to Wi-Fi internet and journalists can continue to provide the public with reliable news, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. “Banning broadband internet is an unprecedented escalation…

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An undated photo showing Cambodian journalists Phon Sopheap (left) and Pheap Phara.

CPJ, partners urge Cambodia to release 2 journalists charged with treason

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined eight local and regional organizations in calling on Cambodian authorities to release journalists Pheap Phara and Phon Sopheap and drop all charges against them. The two were detained on July 31 after reporting on a Cambodia-Thailand border dispute and later charged under Section 445 of the criminal code, which covers treason…

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An undated photo showing Cambodian journalists Phon Sopheap (left) and Pheap Phara.

2 Cambodian journalists detained over border conflict coverage

Editor’s Note: This alert has been amended to reflect that the journalists have been charged under Section 445 of the Cambodian criminal code. Bangkok, September 12, 2025—Cambodian authorities must immediately release journalists Pheap Phara and Phon Sopheap, drop all pending charges against them, and stop using anti-state laws to harass reporters, the Committee to Protect…

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The office of Nepal's Kantipur Media Group’s is seen on fire in Kathmandu.

Nepal protests: Media outlets torched and journalists injured in deadly unrest

New Delhi, September 10, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Nepali authorities to ensure the safety of journalists covering protests in the Himalayan nation, following reports the offices of at least two media outlets were set on fire and four journalists were injured in the unrest. Violent protests erupted in Kathmandu and other parts…

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