Asia

  
Taiwan's digital minister, Audrey Tang, in an interview with CPJ, compares disinformation to a virus and proactive counter-messaging to a vaccine. (CPJ/Steven Butler)

Q&A: Taiwan’s digital minister on combatting disinformation without censorship

Audrey Tang prefers precise language. During an interview, Taiwan’s minister without portfolio – Tang’s name card simply says “digital minister” – makes a swift correction when we mention the term “fake news.” The preferred term is “disinformation” because, Tang says, it has a legal definition in Taiwan: “That is to say, intentional, harmful untruth, and…

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Nanda, a broadcast reporter with the local privately owned Channel Mandalay, has been detained since May 15. (CPJ via Channel Mandalay's Facebook page, used with permission)

Myanmar reporter detained without charge since May 15

Bangkok, May 22, 2019 — Myanmar authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Nanda, a broadcast reporter with the local privately owned Channel Mandalay TV news station, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Journalists pictured in the Manila offices of Rappler, in January 2018. The outlet is one of four Philippine media groups smeared in a campaign that alleges they are in the pay of the CIA. (Reuters/Dondi Tawatao)

Rappler-CIA plot claim is attempt to cut funding, Philippine journalists say

First were the politically motivated state charges that funding provided to the news website Rappler by a U.S. philanthropic foundation represented a violation of constitutional provisions barring foreign control or ownership of Philippine media.

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Voters queue to cast their vote outside a polling station during the final phase of general election in Chandigarh, India on May 19, 2019. Journalists report online harassment and disinformation during the campaign. (REUTERS/Ajay Verma)

Journalists fighting fake news during Indian election face threats, abuse

The six-week-long voting period in India’s national and provincial elections concluded this week, with results expected on Thursday, according to news reports. For journalists, the campaign has brought a familiar deluge of online abuse.

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Army officers are seen in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 31, 2019. The Sri Lankan army recently reinstated an officer suspected in multiple attacks against journalists. (AP/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan army reinstates official suspected in Lasantha murder, other attacks

New York, May 15, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed alarm that a Sri Lankan military intelligence official–who, according to news reports and court documents, is linked to attacks on at least three journalists–was restored to active duty.

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Polices are seen in Yangon, Myanmar, on February 24, 2017. Journalist Aung Marm Oo went into hiding earlier this month as police seek his arrest. (Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun)

Myanmar journalist Aung Marm Oo in hiding as police seek his arrest

Bangkok, May 13, 2019 — Myanmar authorities should immediately cease harassing and threatening to arrest Aung Marm Oo, editor-in-chief of the privately owned Rakhine state-based news agency Development Media Group, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Demonstrators protest a proposed extradition bill in Hong Kong on April 28, 2019. CPJ has called for the bill to be withdrawn or modified. (Reuters/Tyrone Siu)

CPJ calls for withdrawal or modification of Hong Kong extradition bill

Hong Kong, May 13, 2019 — The Hong Kong government should withdraw a proposed bill amending its extradition law that potentially exposes journalists and others in Hong Kong to criminal trial in mainland Chinese courts, or modify the bill to include additional safeguards to prevent arbitrary rendition, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A damaged car that was holding Indian Express reporters is seen on May 6, 2019. Reporters from Indian Express and several other news organizations were injured while covering elections in West Bengal. (Image provided to CPJ by Shashi Ghosh/Indian Express)

Journalists injured in election-related violence in West Bengal

New Delhi, May 9, 2019 — The chief election officer of West Bengal should immediately intervene to prevent attacks on journalists covering the ongoing elections in the state, and the state government should ensure that those involved in the attacks are held accountable, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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The Singapore parliament building is seen on April 29, 2019. The parliament recently passed a restrictive 'fake news' bill that endangers press freedom. (AFP/Roslan Rahman)

Singapore passes ‘fake news’ legislation that threatens press

Bangkok, May 9, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the Singapore parliament’s passage of legislation that could be used to stifle reporting and the dissemination of news, and called for the punitive measure’s immediate repeal.

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Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, pictured as they are freed from prison in Yangon, Myanmar, on May 7 after receiving a presidential pardon. (Reuters/Ann Wang)

Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo freed by pardon in Myanmar

Bangkok, May 7, 2019– Reuters’ journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were released today from a Yangon prison in Myanmar as part of a presidential pardon, after spending more than 500 days behind bars, Reuters reported. The journalists were released in a mass amnesty of prisoners granted today by President Win Myint, according to…

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