Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalismHum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI toolsEnhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory adsBlogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepensPTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilitiesWill PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battleDefying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in PakistanIndia revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outletsUkraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda reportTwo Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture videoThe Olympic Games: A timeless testament to human excellence and unity

Cambodian Military Police arrest award-winning journalist Mech Dara

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published October 02, 2024 at 09:40 pm |  CPJ News Alert

Join our WhatsApp channel

Cambodian Military Police arrest award-winning journalist Mech Dara

BANGKOK—Cambodian authorities must release and drop criminal incitement charges against investigative journalist Mech Dara, who was arrested Monday by military police at an expressway toll booth near the coastal city of Sihanoukville, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

“Journalist Mech Dara’s arrest and detention shows just how far Cambodia’s government is willing to go to squelch independent reporting,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative. “Cambodia’s new Prime Minister Hun Manet should turn the page on the last four decades of crass authoritarianism under his father Hun Sen, allow the press to report free of harassment, and unconditionally release Mech Dara immediately.

A military police spokesperson told the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association that Mech Dara was arrested on September 30 under a warrant but did not say where or why he was being detained. The association said Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged the reporter with “incitement to disturb social security” on October 1 and placed him in pre-trial detention in the capital’s Kandal Provincial Prison.

Mech Dara’s arrest came hours after authorities in southeastern Prey Veng Province issued a statement saying the journalist had caused “social disorder” by posting photos on Facebook since deleted, which appeared to show that a quarry operation had destroyed stairs leading to a Buddhist pagoda.

Mech Dara won an award from the U.S. State Department in 2023 for his reporting on human trafficking connected to online scam centers in Cambodia. He previously reported for the independent Cambodia Daily and Voice of Democracy, both of which were shuttered under government pressure.

Photo: AP

 

India revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outlets

India revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outlets

 February 05, 2025:  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.

Two Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture video

Two Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture video

 February 03, 2025:  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.

Taliban sentence Afghan journalist Sayed Rahim Saeedi to three years in prison

Taliban sentence Afghan journalist Sayed Rahim Saeedi to three years in prison

 February 02, 2025:  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.

CPJ calls on Pakistani authorities to end harassment, deportation of Afghan journalists

CPJ calls on Pakistani authorities to end harassment, deportation of Afghan journalists

 January 23, 2025:  CPJ exposes Pakistan's dangerous deportation of Afghan journalists fleeing Taliban persecution, highlighting critical human rights violations and press freedom challenges. #JournalistSafety

Indian journalist who exposed corruption targeted with online smear campaign

Indian journalist who exposed corruption targeted with online smear campaign

 December 23, 2024:  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.

Malaysian mission takes key lessons from an innovative, vibrant Indonesian media

Malaysian mission takes key lessons from an innovative, vibrant Indonesian media

 December 22, 2024:  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.

Malaysian journalists protest amendments threatening press freedom

Malaysian journalists protest amendments threatening press freedom

 December 05, 2024:  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.

Asia-Pacific leaders reaffirm gender equality goals at Beijing+30 review

Asia-Pacific leaders reaffirm gender equality goals at Beijing+30 review

 November 21, 2024:  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.

Newsroom
PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

 February 11, 2025 The PFUJ has petitioned the Islamabad High Court to suspend the PECA Amendment Act, arguing that the law curtails press freedom and contains contradictory provisions. The court has issued a notice to the Attorney General for assistance.

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

 February 09, 2025 Hum News Network becomes the first Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, enhancing productivity and innovation. Discover how this visionary move sets new standards in media.

Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

 February 09, 2025 The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025 is open for applications! This prestigious program at Columbia University offers journalists an intensive seminar on trauma reporting, media ethics, and responsible journalism. Apply by March 3, 2025.

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

 February 08, 2025 As Pakistan faces an economic crisis, the government splurges taxpayers' money on full-page ads and press releases to glorify its achievements. Critics call it a wasteful PR stunt. Read how public funds are being misused for political propaganda.

Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

 February 07, 2025 Mozambican journalist Albino Sibia was killed while filming police brutality, and reporter Pedro Junior was shot covering his funeral. Arlindo Chissale remains missing. These attacks highlight the dire state of press freedom in Mozambique amid post-election unrest.