Attacks on the Press in 2012: Asia

12 years ago

Analyses and data track press conditions throughout the region. Bob Dietz describes the challenges facing Afghan media as international aid declines. Shawn W. Crispin details increasing Internet repression in Southeast Asia. And Madeline Earp highlights China’s growing hostility toward the foreign press–even as the nation pursues its own global media expansion.

Asia

Video: CPJ Risk List

From violent Pakistan to repressive Vietnam, the 10 countries where press freedom suffered the most in 2012.

Analysis

Afghan Media Now Endangered
By Bob Dietz

The international community, deep in donor fatigue, withdraws media funding.

Analysis

China Undercuts Global Ambition
By Madeline Earp

China’s new leaders can open a new era for free expression. They have much to do.

Analysis

Nations Clip Online Freedom
By Shawn W. Crispin

Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam had vibrant blogospheres–until the crackdowns.

Analysis

The Power of the Ordinary
By Kristin Jones

Who is allowed to talk? What are they allowed to say? Award winners seek the answers.

Asia

Jailings by Year *

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2012

2009

* Based on CPJ’s annual census

Regional Data

14

Journalists Killed in 2012

57

Journalists in Exile, 2007-12

252

Journalists Killed Since 1992

51

Imprisoned on December 1, 2012

164

Unsolved Journalist Murders Since 1992

2

Missing as of December 31, 2012

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Afghanistan

7th Ranking on CPJ’s Impunity Index, making it one of the world’s worst nations at combating deadly anti-press violence.

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Bangladesh

77% More than three-quarters of slain journalists covered official corruption.

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Burma

0 Imprisoned in December 2012. In a historic shift, new government frees a dozen jailed journalists.

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China

19 Jailed Uighurs and Tibetans, constituting more than half of the 32 imprisoned journalists.

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India

300 Amid tensions in the northeast, government blocks hundreds of websites, including news venues.

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Maldives

1 Blogger stabbed, forced into exile after writing about gay rights and religious freedom.

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Nepal

140 Categories of information newly classified as secret. They include information about police and the judiciary.

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Pakistan

7 Journalists killed in 2012, making Pakistan the third deadliest nation in the world.

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Philippines

3rd Ranking on CPJ’s Impunity Index, making it one of the worst countries in combating deadly anti-press violence.

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Sri Lanka

23 Journalists in exile, one of the highest rates in the world.

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Vietnam

14 Imprisoned on December 1. All but one were critical bloggers or online reporters.

Country reports in this chapter were written and researched by CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Bob Dietz, Senior Research Associate Madeline Earp, and Bangkok-based Senior Southeast Asia Representative Shawn W. Crispin.