Asia Media Watch

 Published 17 hours ago:  Maldivian police raided Adhadhu, seized devices and barred senior staff from travel after a documentary alleged presidential misconduct, prompting criticism over press suppression.

 Published 3 days ago:  A U.S.-led operation dismantled transnational cyber scam networks in Cambodia and Myanmar, leading to arrests, sanctions, and seizure of recruitment platforms.

 Published last week:  Across Asia, journalists faced growing legal pressure, expanded surveillance and attacks on media outlets, even as a key appointment boosted gender diversity.

 Published last week:  SAJF reports more than 250 media rights violations across South Asia, citing killings, arrests, censorship and digital restrictions that curb journalism.

 Published 2 weeks ago:  Vietnam is expanding state surveillance systems influenced by China's model, prompting concerns about eroding digital freedoms and risks to independent media.

 Published 2 weeks ago:  International press freedom groups urge Kazakh President Tokayev to halt criminal cases against journalists and overhaul restrictive media laws.

 Published 2 weeks ago:  A senior Thai cabinet minister has filed criminal defamation suits against two journalists over reports of alleged bribery, raising press freedom concerns.

 Published 3 weeks ago:  SLAPPs are increasingly used in Southeast Asia to target investigative journalists, drain newsroom resources and chill critical reporting.

 Published last month:  Legal measures across Asia are constraining journalism, with digital takedowns, censorship and detentions increasingly restricting independent reporting.

 Published last month:  The sealing of United News of India's Delhi office after a court-ordered eviction has prompted concerns among journalists and press groups about police conduct.

 Published last month:  Veteran journalist Sandaruwan Senadheera was arrested at Bandaranaike Airport on March 11 after returning from London and held under a contempt of court order.

 Published last month:  Press freedom groups urge Bangladesh to review detention and bail denials of journalists jailed after the July 2024 unrest, citing due process concerns.

 Published last month:  Two Republic TV journalists are being investigated under India's Official Secrets Act for allegedly filming an Iranian naval ship in restricted waters at Kochi port.

 Published last month:  UN human rights experts urged release of two Philippine journalists convicted under anti‑terror laws, saying long detention and red‑tagging harm press freedom.

 Published last month:  Myanmar's military freed four journalists in a mass amnesty of over 7,000 prisoners; rights groups say it offers limited relief amid continuing media crackdown.

 Published last month:  Dozens of Bangladeshi journalists are jailed after bail denials; rights groups say prosecutions and court practices are worsening a press freedom crisis.

 Published last month:  The Thai Journalists Association urged the Election Commission to drop charges against a photographer, warning prosecutions could chill election reporting and transparency.

 Published 2 months ago:  Malaysia's anti-corruption chief filed a US$25 million defamation suit against Bloomberg over reporting on alleged shareholdings, prompting press freedom concerns.

 Published 2 months ago:  Legal action against journalists in South Asia has risen sharply, with Bangladesh and Pakistan cases raising alarm over use of anti-terror and digital laws.

 Published 2 months ago:  An appellate court in Hong Kong quashed Jimmy Lai's 2022 fraud convictions over leased premises, citing prosecutorial failings and legal errors.

 Published 2 months ago:  Bangladesh police suspended four officers and opened probes after a video showed journalists beaten and blocked from filming during a Dhaka anti-drug operation.

 Published 2 months ago:  Saleem Samad, 74, a veteran Bangladeshi investigative journalist noted for in-depth South Asian reporting and media rights work, died at 74 while undergoing cancer treatment in Dhaka.

 Published 2 months ago:  Rajanish Kakade, 55, vice chairman of the Mumbai Press Club and veteran photojournalist with long tenure at the Associated Press, has died, the club announced.

 Published 2 months ago:  Afghan journalists stranded in Pakistan and Iran face worsening conditions, legal uncertainty and risks of detention or deportation as visa processing is delayed.

 Published 2 months ago:  Two Cambodian journalists jailed for 14 years on treason charges have appealed, raising concerns about press freedom and use of national security laws against routine reporting.

 Published 2 months ago:  Karnataka's proposal to tighten accreditation and restrict journalists' movement in Vidhana Soudha draws opposition and media concern about transparency.

 Published 2 months ago:  Thai court cleared Murray Hunter after Malaysia withdrew its complaint in mediation, ending the cross-border defamation case and restoring his Substack access.

 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.