Press Freedom

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
0

Hong Kong’s Free Press Is Being ‘Gutted’

In the past year, two of Hong Kong's biggest pro-democracy media outlets were toppled after enormous government pressure, a series of arrests and police raids on their newsrooms.A third organization - the five-year-old Citizen News - announced last week that it would shut down, too.

9 January 2022
0

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
0

Philippines: Is Ressa Worthy Of A Nobel Prize?

When Filipina Hidelyn Diaz won a Gold Medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – which ended the Philippines’ 97-year Olympic gold medal drought – there was an outburst of exultation, joy, and national pride in the Philippines and among Filipinos all over the world.

29 December 2021
0

Maria Ressa Urges Journalists To Defend Their Rights

Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, this year's co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, on Wednesday urged fellow reporters to defend their rights in order not to lose them to "authoritarian-style leaders and budding dictators.""It has become incredibly hard and far more dangerous for every one of us," Ressa told reporters awaiting her arrival at Oslo's airport ahead of Friday's Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, where she will be honoured alongside Dmitry Muratov of Ru

9 December 2021
0

Philippines: Is Ressa Worthy Of A Nobel Prize?

When Filipina Hidelyn Diaz won a Gold Medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – which ended the Philippines’ 97-year Olympic gold medal drought – there was an outburst of exultation, joy, and national pride in the Philippines and among Filipinos all over the world.

17 October 2021
0

Filipina Nobel Winner A Convicted Felon: Roque

A top aide to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to journalist and government critic Maria Ressa was proof that "press freedom is alive" in the country.Ressa, co-founder of news website Rappler, and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov were awarded the prize on Friday for their efforts to "safeguard freedom of expression".Since Duterte took power in 2016, Ressa and Rappler have faced a series of criminal charges and investi

12 October 2021
0

Nobel Prize For 'All Journalists': Maria Ressa

Veteran Philippine journalist Maria Ressa on Saturday said her Nobel Peace Prize was for "all journalists around the world", as she vowed to continue her battle for press freedom.Ressa, co-founder of news website Rappler, and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov were awarded the prize on Friday for their efforts to "safeguard freedom of expression"."This is really for all journalists around the world," Ressa, a vocal critic of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte,

10 October 2021
0

Press Freedom In Malaysia Under Attack?

A leading Malaysian news site was fined US$120,000 Friday after being convicted of contempt over readers' comments that criticised the judiciary, sparking international condemnation and concerns about worsening press freedom.Fears have grown that independent media outlets are under attack in the Southeast Asian nation since a scandal-plagued coalition seized power without an election last year following the collapse of a reformist government.Malaysiakini, a popular portal that has made a

20 February 2021
0

The ABS-CBN Shutdown Controversy

The Philippines at the moment is not only confronted by the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, rather it is also faced with a huge controversy surrounding one of the most influential media networks in the country, ABS-CBN or popularly known as the “Kapamilya” (Family) Network. The reason for the whole controversy is due to the expiration of its congressional franchise on 4 May, 2020 followed by a “cease and desist” order (CDO) issued by the National Telecommunications Commissi

23 December 2020
0

My Man Of The Year

On 12 December, Jimmy Lai, a successful businessman and brave campaigner for freedom and democracy, was led into court in Hong Kong in handcuffs and chains, accused of breaking the national security law recently imposed by the Communist Party of China (CPC).

18 December 2020
0

Al Jazeera's Malaysian Office Raided Over Documentary

Malaysian authorities raided Al Jazeera's Kuala Lumpur office Tuesday and seized computers as part of an investigation into a documentary about migrants that angered the government, drawing condemnation from the broadcaster. Police launched the probe into the Qatar-based news network's programme last month, adding to concerns about worsening media freedom in Malaysia.The documentary - "Locked Up in Malaysia's Lockdown" - looked at the detention of undocumente

5 August 2020
0