International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Elias Mia, a correspondent for the “Daily Bijoy”, was hacked to death for allegedly exposing a criminal nexus in gas line distribution.

The recently amended martial law prohibits the publication of reports criticising the actions of the government, officials and local bodies. It also gives increased power to the police to hand out fines, freeze assets and request removal of content from media outlets.

The government in Karnataka, India has ordered the shutdown of Power TV after it aired reports on corruption allegations against the chief minister and his family. The order could affect the jobs of 250 employees.

Lao blogger Houayheuang Xayabouly, known by her nickname Mouay, has been detained since 2019 and is serving a 5-year prison sentence for criticizing the government’s response to a flooding disaster.

The International Federation of Journalists and the Alliance of Independent Journalists expressed concern over reports that several local journalists were harassed and attacked across Indonesia.

“If you criminalise news gathering, you are criminalising journalism. It is a moral duty for journalists to protect sources. Many have gone to jail to protect that principle.”

At least four media organisations have been targeted in digital attacks for publishing critical stories about the government’s COVID-19 response.

Hong Kong has wasted little time in curbing its citizens’ liberties by using the new security law to curtail peaceful speech and protests and arrest critics. This was evidenced last week by the arrest of prominent Hong Kong media owner Jimmy Lai, along with other journalists and activists, as well as sanctions against at least 11 Americans.

On 17 August, a car belonging to a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty team was set on fire. Police found an explosive substance on the wreck of the car, which was completely destroyed.

A new report published by the “Pacific Journalism Review” highlights threats against media freedom in the Melanesia region, particularly in Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and West Papua.

The live webinar ‘Exploring non-homophobic religions’ was interrupted on 24 June after users reported the webinar for breaching community guidelines. Many are asking if it reflects an algorithm bias against LGBTQI+ content or whether it was initiated by conservative groups in Indonesia.

The internet in Papua and West Papua was blocked during anti-racism protests in August and September 2019. Several groups including IFEX member the Alliance of Independent Journalists challenged the ban in November.

Advocates of free press and expression call on the Philippines government to respect the public’s right to know and denounce the stifling of ABS-CBN, one of the largest media groups in the country.

The South Asia press freedom report recorded 219 violations against the media in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Since 24 March, three journalists have received threats, two reprimanded, and six journalists barred from reporting according to the monitoring of the Federation of Nepali Journalists.

April 5 will be 245 days since 4G mobile internet was suspended in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, causing immense hardship and disruption of civilian life as well as violating the public’s right to access information.