International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

An aerial view of the Maldives capital Male, 9 December 2009, REUTERS/Reinhard Krause/File photo

Maldives journalists receive death threats

The threat against Raajje TV was received after the station dispatched a crew to Faafu atoll ahead of a state visit to the Maldives by the King of Saudi Arabia, who is expected to sign a controversial USD10 billion deal to develop the atoll.

Asylum-seekers look through a fence at the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea March 21, 2014. , AAP/Eoin Blackwell/via REUTERS

Asia & Pacific round-up: Film screening criminalised, free expression refugees trapped on Manus Island, and more

February: Censorship in Malaysia and Pakistan; deadly attacks against journalists in Bangladesh and Pakistan; global action to support three Iranian refugees

A protester demanding the right to vote in the Chief Executive election, attends a news conference in Hong Kong, 27 February 2017, REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Hong Kong media outlet suffers ‘political retaliation’

“Sing Pao Daily News” has reportedly suffered political retaliation since it published a series of articles attacking a top official in China and the Mainland’s two chief agents in Hong Kong.

Link to: OSCE must act quickly to fill media freedom role

OSCE must act quickly to fill media freedom role

The current mandate holder, Ms Dunja Mijatović, is due to leave the Office of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media in a month’s time. And yet, to date, there has been no announcement of her successor.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu addresses the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, 12 October 2016, REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

Council of Europe Memorandum calls on Turkey to lift state of emergency

“There is an urgent need to restore freedom of expression and media freedom in Turkey. The closure of more than 150 media organisations since the coup attempt and the continuous detention of around 150 journalists had a huge chilling effect on the state of fundamental rights in Turkey,” said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks.

Lord Norman Fowler, the new Lord Speaker, speaks in the House of Lords chamber during his first sitting, in Parliament, London, 5 September 2016, AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool

Will UK jail journalists for doing their job?

Journalists in the UK could face up to 14 years in jail just for receiving secret information if an update to the Official Secrets Act is approved.

Link to: Bangladeshi journalist shot during political clashes dies

Bangladeshi journalist shot during political clashes dies

The IFJ and the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) have strongly condemned the killing of Abdul Hakin Shimul, a journalist who died after being shot during political clashes.

Detained on Manus Island (from left): Behrouz Boochani, Eaten Fish and Mehdi Savari, Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance

Australia: Free expression detained?

25 IFEX members question Australia’s detention of dissident journalists, cartoonists and actors at Manus Island.

On 26 January 2017, policemen in Dhaka push a barricade to stop demonstrators protesting the plan for a massive coal-fired power plant near ecologically sensitive mangrove forests on the coast, AP photo

Journalists beaten inside police station in Bangladesh

Two ATN News employees were brutally beaten by policemen inside the Shahbagh Police Station while they were covering the shutdown enforced by the demonstrators protesting the construction of a power plant.

Bookseller Lam Wing-kee (C), who "disappeared" in late 2015, takes part in a protest march with pro-democracy lawmakers and supporters in Hong Kong, China, 18 June 2016 , REUTERS/Bobby Yip

China’s iron grip grows even tighter

Abducted journalists, an increasingly government-friendly Hong Kong media and the suppression of the “Big Vs”. Not business as usual, even for China’s infamous iron grip on the media.

Bookseller Lam Wing-kee (C), who "disappeared" in late 2015, takes part in a protest march with pro-democracy lawmakers and supporters in Hong Kong, China, 18 June 2016 , REUTERS/Bobby Yip

China’s iron grip grows even tighter

Abducted journalists, an increasingly government-friendly Hong Kong media and the suppression of the “Big Vs”. Not business as usual, even for China’s infamous iron grip on the media.

Asia round-up: Campaign for imprisoned Chinese writers, attacks on media, digital media gains and more

December: World authors campaign to release Chinese writers; relative calm in Nepal’s media; targeted killings in Philippines and Burma; recognition of digital journalists in Hong Kong.

EFJ/mediaagainsthate.org

New Europe-wide campaign counters hate speech in media

As hate speech and stereotypes targeting migrants and refugees proliferate across Europe, balanced and fair media reporting is needed more than ever.

Link to: Journalist killed in Philippines, first under President Duterte

Journalist killed in Philippines, first under President Duterte

Journalist Larry Que’s murder came after he published a column, which criticised local officials and their alleged negligence in allowing the setting up of a crystal meth laboratory in Catadunanes, Philippines.

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas addresses the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, 23 September 2016., Craig Ruttle, AP

Historic Right to Information act passed in Vanuatu

“The passing of the RTI Act in Vanuatu will ensure that the Vanuatuan media will be able to report more accurately and responsibly on government activities, and that the public will be better equipped to engage in democratic processes,” said the IFJ.

Bersih Chairwoman Maria Chin Abdullah waves to the crowd during a candlelight vigil at Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur, on 28 November 2016., AP/Lim Huey Teng

IFEX’s Asia Pacific round-up

A global campaign for journalist safety, Malaysia’s clampdown and female journalists as human rights defenders in Burma are among the top stories in our monthly round-up of Asia Pacific news.