Asia Media Watch

 Published 2 months ago:  Press freedom groups condemn the conviction of journalist Ravi Nair in India, saying it risks chilling investigative reporting into corporate misconduct.

 Published 2 months ago:  Cambodian journalist Hem Vanna was arrested after reporting on an alleged luxury property scam, sparking calls for release and concerns about legal reprisals.

 Published 2 months ago:  Press freedom cases in South Asia are rising amid restrictive laws, political interference and digital censorship that harm journalists' safety and reporting.

 Published 2 months ago:  An Indian court sentenced British Indian journalist Ravi Nair to one year in prison in a criminal defamation case by Adani Enterprises, prompting concerns about press freedom.

 Published 2 months ago:  Indonesia marked National Press Day, calling for stronger journalistic ethics and editorial independence as misinformation and AI reshape media.

 Published 2 months ago:  Dhaka journalists warn of intimidation and harassment of reporters and media outlets ahead of Bangladesh's elections, threatening independent election coverage.

 Published 2 months ago:  DIGIPUB warns of free expression erosion after platforms blocked The Wire's satirical cartoon and disabled other accounts, urging restoration and transparency.

 Published 2 months ago:  A Hong Kong court sentenced publisher Jimmy Lai to 20 years under the national security law, a notable conviction that raises concerns about press freedom.

 Published 2 months ago:  Bangladesh Army detained 21 Bangladesh Times staff over a video of a protest critical of the military, prompting condemnation from press freedom groups.

 Published 2 months ago:  Press freedom groups urged President Marcos to drop terror charges and free journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, detained six years amid claims the accusations are politically motivated.

 Published 2 months ago:  Press freedom groups urge Azerbaijan to free detained women journalists, probe allegations of mistreatment in custody, and guarantee fair trials.

 Published 2 months ago:  Governments in South and Southeast Asia are expanding digital rules and surveillance that restrict journalists, reshape newsrooms, and increase legal risks.

 Published 2 months ago:  The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Pakistan to immediately release reporter Sohrab Barkat, criticizing the use of cybercrime laws to silence his reporting.

 Published 2 months ago:  Article 19 warns that Bangladesh's interim government rushed ordinances to create media and broadcasting commissions could weaken press freedom and leave freelancers unprotected.

 Published 2 months ago:  Chinese authorities detained journalists Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao in Chengdu after a WeChat expose alleging local official corruption was posted and censored.

 Published 2 months ago:  Indonesia warns AI is reshaping journalism, changing how audiences find news and creating ethical and economic pressures on newsrooms, forcing media to adapt.

 Published 3 months ago:  A Dhaka policy dialogue urged stronger media self-regulation through clear editorial codes and ownership transparency to protect press freedom and restore trust.

 Published 3 months ago:  Myat Thu Kyaw was reportedly assaulted in Yangon's Insein Prison while jailed for covering protests, prompting urgent calls from advocates for his release.

 Published 3 months ago:  Afghanistan's Taliban-run Ministry of Information and Culture has revoked licences of most media support organizations, leaving only three groups permitted to operate.

 Published 3 months ago:  Tributes pour in for Sir Mark Tully, the veteran BBC journalist and author who shaped global understanding of South Asia through years of radio reporting.

 Published 3 months ago:  Andhra Pradesh set up a ministerial group to examine social media limits to curb misinformation and protect users under 16, studying international approaches.

 Published 3 months ago:  A January 22 report warns that legal and administrative measures in 2025 fostered intimidation and suppression of journalists in Bangladesh before elections.

 Published 3 months ago:  Media groups on Negros Island condemn the arrest of reporter Erwin Ambo Delilan, calling it an attack on press freedom and a threat to local journalism.

 Published 3 months ago:  Philippine court convicted journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio of terror financing, a verdict rights groups say is politically motivated and threatens press freedom.

 Published 3 months ago:  Frenchie Mae Cumpio's nearly six-year detention without conviction is testing press freedom and due process in the Philippines and has drawn global scrutiny.

 Published 3 months ago:  Police in Indian-administered Kashmir asked at least three journalists to sign pledges not to 'disturb peace' after reporting on mosque funding inquiries.

 Published 3 months ago:  A study finds Bangladeshi journalists expect heightened physical and digital threats ahead of the 2026 elections, citing safety gaps and weak newsroom support.

 Published 3 months ago:  A Jakarta Post report found 89 incidents in 2025 of violence, digital harassment and censorship against Indonesian journalists, raising alarm over press freedom.