Journalists

The Fight For Press Freedom Is Local

A macabre political thriller recently unfolded in the Philippine province of Palawan, an island known mostly for its rich biodiversity and pristine beaches. On 9 May, Joel T Reyes, the alleged mastermind of the 2011 murder of well-known radio broadcaster Gerry Ortega, ran again for governor.

25 May 2022
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The Toll Of Reporting On COVID In China

Chen Kun was living in Indonesia with his wife and daughter when he learned from his brother Mei’s boss that he had been “taken away for investigation” by Chinese police.He immediately suspected it was to do with his brother’s website, a citizen news project called Terminus 2049.

4 January 2022
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Biden Touts US As Democracy Champion, China Scoffs

President Joe Biden said Friday that democracy "knows no borders" as he closed a two-day summit on democratic freedoms while fending off a storm of criticism from China and domestic critics alike.Biden's presidency has focused on restoring America to what Ronald Reagan liked to call a "shining city on the hill," or a beacon for freedom that other nations look up to.But the Washington summit, held by video link because of COVID-19, underlined difficulties facing the Un

11 December 2021
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Journalist Remembers Horrors Of Myanmar Jail

Journalist Nathan Maung turned to meditation when he was jailed for reporting on Myanmar's bloody coup, but even back home in sleepy Virginia, he can't forget those left behind, including a colleague still at the mercy of their jailers.In March, as the junta moved to crush mass pro-democracy protests on Myanmar's streets, about 45 soldiers arrived at Maung's office in the commercial capital Yangon, he said in an interview. As the squad battered their way through t

4 July 2021
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Escape From Myanmar: How A Reporter Fled To Safety

It was only when he boarded the plane that would fly him to Europe that Mratt Kyaw Thu finally felt safe for the first time since Myanmar's military coup on 1 February.It had been an arduous few months for the journalist who quickly found himself on the military junta's wanted list for his reporting of its deadly crackdown on anti-coup protesters."I felt safe when I was on the plane, after passing immigration in Thailand, that was the moment when I felt a little bit freer,&quot

10 June 2021
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China Is World’s No.1 Jailer Of Journalists: RSF

China continues to take internet censorship, surveillance and propaganda to “unprecedented levels”, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), making it one of the world’s worst countries for journalists.In its annual press freedom index, published on Tuesday, the global watchdog also highlighted an increase in repression and attacks on journalists worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.The index examines the press freedom situation in 180 countries and territories, and RSF said its data s

21 April 2021
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Vietnam Faces US Criticism For Jailing Critics

Vietnam faced criticism Wednesday from the United States (US) and rights groups after jailing three pro-democracy bloggers weeks ahead of the communist government's party congress.The run-up to a leadership transition later this month is a particularly tense period for the state as candidates jostle for power behind closed doors.In recent months, the authoritarian regime has stepped up its crackdown on dissent and has arrested numerous critics.At a quick trial Tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City

6 January 2021
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Decoupling From China Will Hurt The US

“Decoupling” is central to the geopolitical duel between the United States (US) and China. Conceived and promoted by hawks in US President Donald Trump’s administration, this strategy has now become America’s principal tool to weaken Chinese power.

20 August 2020
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Duterte's History Of Clashes With Philippine Media

Journalist Maria Ressa's libel conviction on Monday has raised fresh concerns about press freedom under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has a history of clashing with the media.Here are some notable confrontations:'Shameless' InquirerThe Philippine Daily Inquirer is one of the nation's top publications and brands itself as delivering "balanced news, fearless views".When Duterte launched his deadly crackdown on narcotics in 2016, the paper covered it ext

16 June 2020
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Press Freedom In A Pandemic World

I had been captive in Afghanistan for about two weeks when the government of my home country, Canada, contacted those attempting to negotiate my release. They told negotiators to get me on the phone the next day, when the United States (US) military would be flying a drone over where they thought I was being held, in order to determine my whereabouts.The negotiators were unable to secure that concession.

7 May 2020
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What Is Hun Sen Planning For Cambodia’s Media?

On 14 January, during his fourth annual meeting with the press, Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Sen announced legal-aid support for the country’s journalists. The meeting was attended by nearly 6,000 members of the media and the press.Recent news from government press agency, Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) also quoted Cambodian Lawyers’ Council president, Ky Tech as saying that Hun Sen’s legal aid team will be offering its services to defend journalists deemed ethical.

24 January 2020
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Will justice be served for Maguindanao victims?  

Despite it being 10 years to the day, justice remains elusive for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines.Exactly a decade ago, 58 people – including 32 journalists – were brutally gunned down in Ampatuan, a town in the Filipino province of Maguindanao, in what is still the single deadliest attack on journalists in the world.The casualties were part of a convoy accompanying family members of Esmael ‘Toto’ Mangudadatu on their way to file his candidacy papers for the Maguind

23 November 2019
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