Committee to Protect Journalists - Asia

Media ethics code could restrict free press in Sri Lanka

2013-06-19T19:42:44Z

New York, June 19, 2013--A draft media code introduced in the Sri Lankan parliament would impose harsh restrictions on journalists' ability to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The code, which is before a parliamentary advisory council for discussion, could be considered for adoption in September, according to news reports citing an information minister.

Prominent Vietnam blogger arrested in Hanoi

2013-06-14T16:42:11Z

New York, June 14, 2013--Vietnamese police in Hanoi arrested a blogger on Thursday on accusations of anti-state activity, according to news reports. Pham Viet Dao wrote blogs that were critical of government officials and policies, the reports said.

Dao, 61, who also wrote about politically sensitive issues such as the territorial dispute with China, was accused of violating Article 258 of the Vietnam's penal code for "abusing democratic freedoms," the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement, according to news reports. If convicted, Dao could face a jail term of up to seven years, the reports said.

Chinese journalist held after publishing book on Tiananmen

2013-06-13T19:32:24Z

New York, June 13, 2013--Chinese authorities must immediately release a journalist who has been detained since May 31 following the publication of his book on the Tiananmen massacre, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Du Bin's detention, which was reported by his family members, came a few days before the 24th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown.

Burma Falters, Backtracks on Press Freedoms

2013-06-12T20:03:55Z

New York, June 13, 2013--Burma's media continue to face threats and obstacles to free reporting despite recent reforms, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released today. A new draft publishing bill and the failure to reform existing restrictive laws jeopardize still limited freedoms of expression and the press.

"The changes in Burma's media landscape are palpable, with no journalists in jail, newspapers reporting on certain sensitive subjects, and websites unblocked," said Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative and author of the report. "But recent steps backward on press freedom cast serious doubt on the government's commitment to a more open reporting environment."

Indian cameramen attacked covering political clash

2013-06-11T20:03:01Z

New York, June 11, 2013--Indian authorities should bring to justice the perpetrators of an attack on three cameramen in Kolkata, capital of eastern West Bengal state, on Friday, in which one reporter was almost burned alive, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Justice consistently eludes slain Pakistani journalists

2013-05-30T18:33:53Z

May 30, 2013--On the second anniversary of the murder of Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities to continue investigating and find his killers. An official commission of inquiry concluded in January 2012 that the perpetrators in Shazahd's case were unknown, and there has been no further movement in the investigation.

Vietnamese blogger detained on anti-state charges

2013-05-30T14:35:05Z

Bangkok, May 30, 2013 - The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the detention of Vietnamese blogger Truong Duy Nhat on anti-state charges and calls for his immediate release.

Singapore imposes licensing fees on news websites

2013-05-29T16:17:28Z

New York, May 29, 2013--Singapore's plan to impose licensing fees on news websites will further stifle the press in the city-state's already claustrophobic media atmosphere, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Pakistan must determine motive behind killing of reporter

2013-05-28T16:19:20Z

New York, May 28, 2013--Pakistani authorities should identify the motive behind the fatal shooting of a local crime reporter and bring the perpetrators to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

As impunity reigns, Pakistani press threatened from all sides

2013-05-22T22:35:48Z

New York, May 23, 2013--With the release of a new report on widespread impunity, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the incoming government of Pakistan to urgently address the issue of violence against the press by bringing perpetrators of past crimes to justice.

"Pakistan has one of the world's worst records of prosecuting anti-press violence, with authorities failing to convict a single suspect in 23 journalist murders over the past decade," said CPJ Asia program coordinator, Bob Dietz. "The situation is dire as journalists are targeted not only by militants, criminals, and warlords, but also by political, military, and intelligence operatives. These threats have gone completely unpunished over the past decade and have made the country one of the deadliest in the world for the press."

Three newspaper employees stabbed to death in India

2013-05-20T17:55:11Z

New York, May 20, 2013--Two unidentified assailants on Sunday stabbed to death three employees of a Bengali-language Indian daily in Agartala, the capital of the northeastern state of Tripura, according to news reports.

In Pakistan, cases filed against Baluch outlets, journalists

2013-05-17T19:06:31Z

New York, May 17, 2013--Pakistani authorities should dismiss separate complaints filed against newspapers and journalists in Baluchistan for publishing statements made by banned militant groups, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

In Nepal, press faces litigation for critical coverage of courts

2013-05-16T15:58:10Z

New York, May 16, 2013--Judicial authorities in Nepal should stop targeting outlets of the Kathmandu-based Kantipur Publications and dismiss a case filed against the organization and one of its journalists that accuses them of contempt of court, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

CPJ condemns Pakistan's expulsion of Times reporter

2013-05-10T21:18:09Z

New York, May 10, 2013 - The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Pakistan's interim government to reverse its decision to expel New York Times bureau chief Declan Walsh from the country. The order comes on the eve of national elections that will bring about the first successful change of civilian government in Pakistan's history.

Gunman sentenced, masterminds free in Ortega slaying

2013-05-08T20:49:07Z

New York, May 8, 2013--A man who said he was paid the equivalent of US$250 to kill Philippine radio journalist Gerardo Ortega, left, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2011 murder, according to news reports and the victim's family. The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined with Ortega family in calling for the arrests of the suspected masterminds.