Asia Media Watch

 Published 3 months ago:  On the fourth anniversary of the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan’s media faces escalating persecution, censorship, and violence. Independent outlets are shuttered, women in media are silenced, and journalists are detained, harassed, and forced into exile. The IFJ urges urgent international action to protect press freedom.

 Published 3 months ago:  Bangladeshi journalist Md Asaduzzaman Tuhin was stabbed to death in Gazipur on August 7 after reporting on local extortion. The IFJ condemns the killing and calls for urgent action to protect journalists amid rising violence in Bangladesh.

 Published 3 months ago:  Regional media unions and civil society groups demand journalist safety guarantees and information access following the deadly Cambodia-Thailand border conflict that left 43 dead.

 Published 3 months ago:  The Taliban's crackdown on media in July 2025 led to the arrest of at least seven Afghan journalists. The IFJ and AIJU have called for their immediate release and an end to the persecution of independent media.

 Published 3 months ago:  The Wall Street Journal will plead not guilty in the labor case filed by Hong Kong Journalists Association Chair Selina Cheng over her controversial dismissal. The trial is set for December 2025, with global media rights groups backing Cheng.

 Published 3 months ago:  Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied accreditation to 16 journalists from Radio Azzatyq, intensifying concerns about media freedom. The IFJ has condemned the move, calling it a violation of journalists’ rights.

 Published 3 months ago:  Bangladeshi journalist Khandaker Shah Alam was killed in a brutal retaliatory attack for his reporting. IFJ condemns the killing and urges stronger protection for media workers in Bangladesh.

 Published 7 months ago:  Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.

 Published 7 months ago:  Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.

 Published 7 months ago:  Several journalists were attacked and forced to delete footage while covering anti-military protests in Indonesia. CPJ urges authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable.

 Published 7 months ago:  The severed pig’s head sent to Indonesia’s leading news outlet, Tempo, signals escalating media intimidation amid President Prabowo Subianto’s attacks on foreign-funded media.

 Published 8 months ago:  The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urges Maharashtra authorities to ensure their AI-driven media monitoring plan does not undermine press freedom. The initiative, which classifies news as positive or negative, raises concerns over government overreach and self-censorship.

 Published 8 months ago:  Indian journalist and RTI activist Raghvendra Bajpai was shot dead in Uttar Pradesh on March 8 in a targeted attack. Media organizations, including IFJ, NUJ-I, and IJU, demand justice and an urgent investigation into his murder.

 Published 8 months ago:  The arrest of Malaysiakini journalist B. Nantha Kumar by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has raised concerns over press freedom. The IFJ and NUJM call for a transparent investigation amid allegations of bribery and ongoing state harassment of independent media.

 Published 8 months ago:  The Dewan Rakyat passed the Malaysian Media Council Bill on February 26, marking a historic step toward independent media regulation. Supported by journalists, unions, and media bodies, the council aims to set ethical standards, improve working conditions, and reform restrictive laws. The NUJM and IFJ celebrate this milestone while urging independence and adequate resourcing for the council.

 Published 8 months ago:  Nepal's proposed Social Media Act Bill faces backlash for threatening freedom of expression and press freedom. Journalist unions and civil society urge the government to withdraw the bill, citing vague provisions and the potential for abuse.

 Published 9 months ago:  Justice remains elusive 16 years after the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, as Sri Lanka’s Attorney General orders the release of three key suspects. Journalist organizations strongly condemn the move, calling for urgent action to end impunity for crimes against the media.

 Published 9 months ago:  The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the Indian government to stop targeting independent journalism after revoking the nonprofit and tax-exempt statuses of The Reporters’ Collective and The File. Learn how this impacts investigative reporting and media freedom in India.

 Published 9 months ago:  Cambodian journalists Duong Akhara and Lay Socheat have been detained on incitement charges after publishing a video allegedly showing torture in a cyberscam center. Press freedom advocates call for their immediate release.

 Published 9 months ago:  A Taliban court in Kabul has sentenced Sayed Rahim Saeedi, editor of ANAR Media, to three years in prison on charges of disseminating anti-Taliban propaganda. Press freedom continues to face severe threats in Afghanistan.

 Published 9 months ago:  CPJ exposes Pakistan's dangerous deportation of Afghan journalists fleeing Taliban persecution, highlighting critical human rights violations and press freedom challenges. #JournalistSafety

 Published 10 months ago:  Indian journalist Anand Mangnale faces an online smear campaign initiated by BJP's Nishikant Dubey. Allegations against him include foreign funding ties and misleading reports. CPJ condemns the attack on press freedom.

 Published 10 months ago:  Learn how Malaysian journalists drew lessons from Indonesia’s innovative media practices during the IFJ Malaysia-Indonesia Solidarity Mission, emphasizing the need for progressive media reform and sustainability.

 Published last year:  Over 50 journalists protested in Kuala Lumpur against proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which threaten press freedom. IFJ and NUJM urge the government to withdraw the bill and engage in stakeholder consultation.

 Published last year:  Pakistan pledges enhanced digital access, economic opportunities, and gender-responsive policies for women at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review in Bangkok.

 Published last year:  Investigative journalist Rana Ayyub received over 200 threats after her phone number was leaked on social media by a right-wing content creator. IFJ and IJU demand Maharashtra authorities take immediate action against those responsible for this targeted online harassment.

 Published last year:  Journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, detained in the Philippines on controversial charges of illegal firearm possession and terrorism financing, testified on November 11. IFJ and NUJP call for her immediate release, condemning the misuse of anti-terror laws against journalists and activists.

 Published last year:  Explore the dynamic growth of emerging media markets in South Asia, examining the opportunities, challenges, and future trends reshaping journalism and digital media in the region. Learn about the rise of new platforms, investment potential, and the digital shift fueling change in countries like Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.