Asia-Pacific: A free expression round up produced by IFEX's regional editor Mong Palatino, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region
A historic win for the media in Fiji, a “Kafkaesque trial” in Vietnam, a Taiwanese publisher detained in China, a new law threatens free speech in India, and IFEX members across Asia-Pacific mark World Press Freedom Day.
Fiji repeals draconian media law
In welcome news, on 6 April the Parliament of Fiji voted to repeal the Media Industry Development Act (MIDA), which had been enacted in 2010 by the government that assumed power through a coup in 2006. The Fijian Media Association described MIDA as a “useless, but dangerous and vindictive piece of legislation” that had forced several journalists to leave the country.
IFEX member Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) used the occasion to recognize the important role of journalists in defending the public’s right to information.
“PINA salutes the patience and endurance of journalists and media workers in Fiji – working under a media law that intimidated and restricted their freedom to report freely for more than a decade.”
PINA also encouraged other Pacific governments to follow Fiji’s lead and remove restrictive media laws.
Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) celebrated the historic victory in Fiji as it highlighted the continuing campaign for media freedom in the region. PFF’s Micronesia co-chair Leilani Reklai of Palau noted that “stifling and censoring freedom of expression is happening in our Pacific countries under the guise of culture and traditions, religious beliefs, and controlling political narratives.” She reminded her media colleagues to remain alert, independent, and “focus on being the voice of freedom.”
More good news
In Pakistan, the Supreme Court decided to question a prohibition order – issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority – that restricted news coverage of the conduct of judges. The Court’s decision was welcomed by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), which reminded the broadcast media regulator to fulfill its mandate without muzzling free speech.
In Afghanistan, the Seday-e-Banowan [Women’s Voice] radio station resumed operations after Taliban authorities suspended it for a week for playing music during Ramadan. Meanwhile, a reporter for Tanwir TV and two personnel of Radio Television Afghanistan were released by security forces after being held for 28 hours. Freelance sports reporter Khairullah Parhar was also released after several months in prison. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) welcomed these developments, but insist that the journalists should not have been arrested in the first place, since they were simply doing their work. It also warned that the suspension of the Seday-e-Banowan could set a dangerous precedent.
Raising voices for free expression: IFEX Members mark World Press Freedom Day
Many organisations in the IFEX network advocate for press freedom in both online and offline spaces year-round. In honour of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), members in the Asia-Pacific took part in various initiatives and activities to defend the rights of journalists, which are inextricably connected to people’s right to freedom of expression and information. Here are some of the highlights showcasing how members marked the day:
Myanmar
IFEX member Mizzima’s freelance reporter Nyein Nyein Aye (aka Mabel) was among those given amnesty and released by the junta on WPFD, which coincided with the Buddhist traditional Kason Full Moon Day celebration. Despite the release, the situation of local journalists has remained precarious, as described by a local reporter.
“I do not frequently go out to eat or drink, so I stored food several weeks in advance. If a situation in my place becomes tense, I relocate once more.”
The important role of journalists in exposing the abuses of the military regime was affirmed when the top prize for investigative reporting in the 2023 Human Rights Press Awards was given to Reuters for its in-depth feature about the situation of Rohingya refugees and democracy activists.
Nepal
Ahead of WPFD, Nepal’s media groups discussed safety mechanisms for journalists during a meeting with the country’s prime minister. Freedom Forum also launched its latest report on WPFD, which recorded 40 incidents of press freedom violations from May 2022 to April 2023, affecting 79 journalists and four media houses. The Federation of Nepali Journalists organized a rally on WPFD in Katmandu, to highlight calls for protection of media freedom.
Australia
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) marked WPFD warning of a backsliding of media freedom in the country. As MEAA Media Federal President Karen Percy said:
“Over the years, little by little, law by law, regulation by regulation, amendment by amendment, journalists and media outlets – and more importantly the public’s right to know – have been squeezed in the name of national security”
MEAA called for an overhaul of outdated repressive laws. “Too many important stories never see the light of day because of the chilling effect these outdated laws have on journalism.”
Malaysia
On WPFD, the Centre for Independent Journalism released its Media Landscape Report, challenging the new unity government to uphold freedom of expression. It reiterates its support for the establishment of a Malaysia Media Council as well as its demand for the repeal of severe and punitive laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, Official Secrets Act, and the Sedition Act.
Cambodia
More than 200 participants from various stakeholders marked the 30th anniversary of WPFD with an event honouring the work of journalists. Civil society groups including IFEX members Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) and Cambodian Centre for Independent Media (CCIM) released a joint statement urging authorities to “ensure a free, safe, and secure environment favourable for journalists and news outlets.” They also underscored the value of independent reporting before, during, and after the upcoming July national elections.
Indonesia
Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) organized several events across the archipelago to celebrate WPFD. They pointed out that 3 May is the same day that the Suharto government was removed from power in 1998, which led to democratic reforms. But over the years some of these reforms had been reversed. AJI recorded 61 cases of attacks against 97 journalists and 14 media organizations in 2022. In a statement, they said:
“Instead of moving forward, Indonesia’s democracy is moving backward, marked by the use of several regulations to inhibit freedom of expression and press freedom,”
AJI posted a Twitter thread enumerating the key issues affecting the local media.
Afghanistan
AFJC published a statement on WPFD highlighting the 213 documented incidents of violence, threats, and detentions of journalists in the past year. It described the situation of journalists as “complicated, frightening, and ambiguous.” The plight of women journalists is worse, as they encounter systemic discrimination and abuse under the Taliban regime.
Philippines
The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) joined a roundtable discussion organized by Freedom for Media, Freedom for All Network to discuss the state of media freedom in the country. In it, CMFR cited an earlier report that recorded 75 attacks and threats against media workers between 30 June 2022 and 30 April 2023. CMFR issued an appeal to media stakeholders.
“News can help people participate in shaping their future. Moving closer to the people, journalists could revitalize press freedom and help cure the ills of Philippine democracy.”
Pakistan
IFEX members initiated a broad range of activities to mark WPFD:
- Digital Rights Foundation sponsored a Twitter Space that featured an all-women panel;
- Media Matters for Democracy led a caucus that discussed lessons on media development indicators and ensuring sustainability;
- Bytes for All issued a statement urging the government “to address the challenges posed by fake news, disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation while safeguarding freedom of expression”;
- PPF launched its annual report, which documented 72 instances of physical attacks on journalists and media professionals in the past year. It stresses “that the callous attitude of the political leadership, at a time when political divisions are rife, is dangerous for the safety of the media and press freedom.” It also recommends the immediate formation of the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Professionals by the federal government – ahead of the upcoming elections.
In brief
Vietnam: Vietnamese blogger Nguyen Lan Thang was sentenced to six years in prison plus two years of probation on charges of “defaming the party and state” after posting 12 videos about local politics and for giving interviews to the BBC. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the “Kafkaesque trial”, which deprived the blogger of due process. Another alarming incident was the mysterious disappearance of independent journalist Duong Van Thai, who was living in exile in Thailand, and his subsequent arrest in April, in Vietnam. Thai is a known critic of Vietnam’s prime minister and other high-ranking officials.
China: After three years in detention for criticizing the Chinese government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, political commentator Xu Zhiyong was sentenced to 14 years in prison for “subversion of state power”. Taiwan-based publisher Li Yanhe was arrested while visiting his family in China on “endangering national security” charges. Li Yanhe had published books by Chinese dissidents. PEN America said his detention “is an outrageous attempt to muzzle the work” of independent publishers outside China’s border. Meanwhile, as the Beijing government continues its crackdown on dissenting voices, the Committee to Protect Journalists said that the UK government should take action to secure the release of Jimmy Lai and other imprisoned journalists, based on the report of Britain’s All-Party Parliamentary Group about the rapid decline of media freedom in Hong Kong.
Bangladesh: IFEX joined ARTICLE 19 and Free Press Unlimited in calling on Bangladesh authorities to stop the legal harassment of Prothom Alo journalists and end the broader crackdown on press freedom. The groups pointed out how the Digital Security Act has been “increasingly misused to intimidate and silence journalists” in the country.
India: The country’s IT Amendment Rules 2023 took effect on 6 April, requiring platforms to remove content related to “any business” of the government deemed to be “fake or false or misleading” by a fact-checking agency of the government. The International Press Institute has warned that “this is just the latest move by the Modi government to silence journalists and independent media by restricting any coverage that could be deemed critical of its policies.”
