Philippine journalist Marchel Espina charged with unjust vexation over opinion article
Bangkok, July 24, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday called on the Iglesia Ni Cristo religious group to drop its criminal complaint of unjust vexation against journalist Marchel Espina over an opinion piece published by a community news site. On July 17, Espina, former editor-in-chief of the local SunStar Cebu, voluntarily surrendered to the…
Cambodia jails journalist Luot Sophal for 2 years over report on soldiers’ water shortages
Bangkok, July 21, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the two-year prison sentence given to Cambodian journalist Luot Sophal on incitement charges and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. Sophal, a reporter with the independent local news site Srotop Yuvakvey, was convicted on July 14 by the Oddar Meanchey Provincial Court on charges of…
Philippine radio reporter Nestor Micator killed in drive-by shooting
Bangkok, May 27, 2026—Philippine authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the killing of radio journalist Nestor Micator, identify and arrest those responsible, and ensure they are brought to full justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Micator, a news reporter at the local D’Empire Radio Station, was shot and killed on May 21…
Investigative reporter Tom Wright faces criminal defamation charge in Thailand
Mae Sot, May 18, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Thai politician Vorapak Tanyawong to drop his criminal defamation suit against Whale Hunting newsletter’s investigative reporter Tom Wright, and urges Thailand to reform its criminal statutes so that they cannot be abused to silence the press. Wright told CPJ that he faces criminal charges…
Thai journalist Kowit Phothisan could face years in prison for defamation
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…
Myanmar junta revokes licenses of 3 media outlets in martial law clampdown
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…
Philippine journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma killed in army operation
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…
Myanmar junta denies journalist Sai Zaw Thaike medical care, adding to pattern of prison abuse
Bangkok, April 27, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Myanmar’s military junta to immediately provide journalist Sai Zaw Thaike with adequate medical care after sources at Insein Prison in the country’s largest city Yangon said authorities have refused him treatment for grave health conditions. Sai Zaw Thaike, a photojournalist with the independent Myanmar Now…
Vietnam sentences journalist Huynh Ngoc Tuan to 8½ years for anti-state propaganda
Bangkok, April 2, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Thursday’s sentencing of Vietnamese journalist Huynh Ngoc Tuan to eight years and six months in prison under a criminal provision that bars “propagandizing against the state.” The People’s Court of Dak Lak Province ruled that 11 of Tuan’s live videos and 21 Facebook posts were defamatory,…