Bangladeshi authorities arrest journalist Rozina Islam under Official Secrets Act
New York, May 17, 2021—The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Bangladeshi authorities to immediately release journalist Rozina Islam, withdraw the investigation into her, and to stop arresting journalists under the Official Secrets Act. Islam, a senior correspondent for the daily newspaper Prothom Alo, was arrested today after the Health Ministry filed a complaint…
Malaysian cartoonist Zunar investigated over criticism of state official
Bangkok, May 17, 2021 – Malaysian authorities must cease their legal harassment of cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, known as Zunar, and drop any pending charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On May 7, police in the northern state of Kedah summoned Zunar, who publishes his political cartoons on the Malaysiakini news website, and questioned him…
Myanmar sentences DVB reporter Min Nyo to 3 years in prison for criminal mutiny
Bangkok, May 13, 2021 – Myanmar authorities should not contest the appeal of Democratic Voice of Burma reporter Min Nyo, and should cease jailing journalists for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Yesterday, a military court convicted Min Nyo on charges of criminal mutiny and sentenced him to three years in prison,…
Unidentified attacker beats Epoch Times journalist with bat in Hong Kong
Taipei, May 11, 2021 — The Hong Kong police force must undertake a swift and thorough investigation into the attack on reporter Sarah Liang and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 11 a.m. today, an unidentified man attacked Liang, a reporter for The Epoch Times, outside of…
CPJ calls on Thailand not to deport detained Democratic Voice of Burma reporters to Myanmar
Bangkok, May 10, 2021 – Thai authorities should refrain from deporting three Democratic Voice of Burma reporters who were arrested yesterday, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. “Thai authorities should uphold the country’s proud history as a sanctuary for journalists fleeing military repression in Myanmar, and on humanitarian grounds should not deport three Democratic…
Myanmar military bans all satellite TV
Bangkok, May 5, 2021 – Myanmar’s military junta must revoke its ban on satellite television and repeal all orders that aim to censor independent news reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The state-run broadcaster MRTV announced the ban yesterday, saying that “satellite television is no longer legal” and alleging that foreign broadcasts encouraged…
Journalists struggle to work amid extended internet shutdowns in Myanmar, Ethiopia, Kashmir
By CPJ Africa and Asia Program Staff Even a brief shutdown of the internet impedes the press from doing its job. But some disruptions last for months, severely undermining safety and access to information, CPJ has found. Recently, authorities have imposed such measures in Myanmar and Ethiopia amid serious crises. India leads the world in internet…
Myanmar must release the dozens of journalists in its jails in wake of military coup
Bangkok, April 29, 2021 — Myanmar’s military junta must immediately and unconditionally release all of the journalists detained since the country’s February 1 coup, and should stop using legal threats to harass and intimidate the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Preliminary investigations by CPJ found at least 40 journalists imprisoned as of…
Vietnam sentences independent reporter Tran Thi Tuyet Dieu to 8 years in prison
Bangkok, April 26, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today strongly condemned the conviction and severe prison sentence given to Vietnamese journalist Tran Thi Tuyet Dieu and called for her immediate and unconditional release. On April 23, the People’s Court in Phu Yen province convicted Dieu under Article 117 of the penal code, an anti-state provision that bans “creating, storing and disseminating information and materials” against the state, and sentenced her…