Detentions, visa delays, and suspected phone bugging are among the challenges faced by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-against-foreign-interference-as-hong-kong-bans-journalist-169886">foreign journalists in China</a>, who say working conditions are getting worse with many reporting being watched and harassed.

A survey of 109 journalists published Tuesday "painted the darkest picture of reporting conditions inside China in recent memory", the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China said in a statement.

Surveillance was a key concern with close to half of respondents saying they had been followed in 2018, while 91 per cent were concerned about the security of their phones, the FCCC's report said.

Fourteen people said they were physically blocked from accessing public areas in the far western region of Xinjiang.

Up to a million Uighurs and members of other mostly Muslim minority groups are held in extrajudicial detention in camps in the region, according to a group of experts cited by the United Nations.

China has accused foreign media of sensationalising the issue but 23 respondents who visited Xinjiang in 2018 said they were subject to some sort of interference — including being forced to delete pictures or data, having their interviews disrupted or even being detained.

"I was followed and tracked for nearly 1,600 kilometres, by at least nine cars and 20 people... had armed police approach my vehicle with shields raised and tell me to put my hands outside the car," said Nathan VanderKlippe of the Globe and Mail in the report, adding that he was detained multiple times in Xinjiang.

Chinese authorities say the country has a basic policy of "opening up to the outside world" including protecting the rights of foreign journalists, who may interview anyone who gives prior consent.&nbsp;

But correspondents report increasing pressure from Chinese officials.

Many have been threatened with visa delays, according to the FCCC, which noted that BuzzFeed News bureau chief Megha Rajagopalan was effectively expelled after her visa was not renewed.

Six correspondents said they felt their visa renewal difficulties were related to their news coverage, with at least four journalists issued short three-month or six-month visas, including Sankei Shimbun bureau chief Kinya Fujimoto, instead of the standard one-year stay.

Local staff and sources have also been harassed and intimidated, with this at times extending to their family and friends.

"There is a risk that even foreign media will shy away from stories that are perceived as too troublesome, or costly, to tell in China," said FCCC president Hanna Sahlberg.

"These trends run contrary to the FCCC's hopes for real openness for foreign media to be able to cover China."

Detentions, visa delays, and suspected phone bugging are among the challenges faced by foreign journalists in China, who say working conditions are getting worse with many reporting being watched and harassed.

Detentions, visa delays, and suspected phone bugging are among the challenges faced by foreign journalists in China, who say working conditions are getting worse with many reporting being watched and harassed. A survey of 109 journalists published Tuesday "painted the darkest picture of reporting conditions inside China in recent memory", the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China said in a statement. Surveillance was a key concern with close to half of respondents saying they had been followed in 2018, while 91 per cent were concerned about the security of their phones, the FCCC's report said. Fourteen people said they were physically blocked from accessing public areas in the far western region of Xinjiang. Up to a million Uighurs and members of other mostly Muslim minority groups are held in extrajudicial detention in camps in the region, according to a group of experts cited by the United Nations. China has accused foreign media of sensationalising the issue but 23 respondents who visited Xinjiang in 2018 said they were subject to some sort of interference — including being forced to delete pictures or data, having their interviews disrupted or even being detained. "I was followed and tracked for nearly 1,600 kilometres, by at least nine cars and 20 people... had armed police approach my vehicle with shields raised and tell me to put my hands outside the car," said Nathan VanderKlippe of the Globe and Mail in the report, adding that he was detained multiple times in Xinjiang. Chinese authorities say the country has a basic policy of "opening up to the outside world" including protecting the rights of foreign journalists, who may interview anyone who gives prior consent. But correspondents report increasing pressure from Chinese officials. Many have been threatened with visa delays, according to the FCCC, which noted that BuzzFeed News bureau chief Megha Rajagopalan was effectively expelled after her visa was not renewed. Six correspondents said they felt their visa renewal difficulties were related to their news coverage, with at least four journalists issued short three-month or six-month visas, including Sankei Shimbun bureau chief Kinya Fujimoto, instead of the standard one-year stay. Local staff and sources have also been harassed and intimidated, with this at times extending to their family and friends. "There is a risk that even foreign media will shy away from stories that are perceived as too troublesome, or costly, to tell in China," said FCCC president Hanna Sahlberg. "These trends run contrary to the FCCC's hopes for real openness for foreign media to be able to cover China."

Followed, harassed: Foreign reporters say China work conditions worsen

At least 10 journalists were injured as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/10500-arrests-ahead-of-bangladesh-poll-opposition-186427">ruling party activists</a> allegedly attacked a motel in a central Bangladesh town when they were covering this week's national election, a senior journalist said Tuesday.

A group of baton-wielding men attacked the motel in Nawabganj town late Monday, where journalists from several local media were staying overnight, Masud Karim, a special correspondent of the Bengali national daily Jugantor said.

"The miscreants vandalised 16 cars. At least 10 journalists from Jugantor and Jamuna TV were injured during the attack," he told AFP, alleging the police delayed responding to their distress call.

The newspaper also said one of its reporters has been missing since Monday evening.

It blamed the student and youth wings of the ruling Awami League party for the attack, although police said they did not know the identity of the attackers.

"We rescued them (the journalists) from the situation," district police chief S.M Shafiur Rahman told AFP, rejecting the allegations police did not respond to the attack in time.&nbsp;

The chiefs of both outlets demanded immediate arrests of the attackers but the police chief said no formal complaints had been filed.

Violent clashes have marred the run-up to the December 30 election, with the opposition saying hundreds of its activists and dozens of candidates have been injured in attacks by followers of the ruling party.&nbsp;

Six people have been killed, including two from the ruling party. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Two news cameramen were also attacked by alleged pro-government activists in the central Munshiganj district on Tuesday, the online edition of the private NTV station said.

Top journalist lobby group Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) demanded the attackers be punished.

"The state and the government will have to shoulder the responsibility and take steps to curb such attacks," BFUJ President Molla Zalal said.

Press freedom has been under the spotlight in the South Asian nation as opposition and rights group have accused Prime Minister's Sheikh Hasina's government of muzzling dissent through controversial anti-press laws.

At least 10 journalists were injured as ruling party activists allegedly attacked a motel in a central Bangladesh town when they were covering this week's national election, a senior journalist said Tuesday.

At least 10 journalists were injured as ruling party activists allegedly attacked a motel in a central Bangladesh town when they were covering this week's national election, a senior journalist said Tuesday. A group of baton-wielding men attacked the motel in Nawabganj town late Monday, where journalists from several local media were staying overnight, Masud Karim, a special correspondent of the Bengali national daily Jugantor said. "The miscreants vandalised 16 cars. At least 10 journalists from Jugantor and Jamuna TV were injured during the attack," he told AFP, alleging the police delayed responding to their distress call. The newspaper also said one of its reporters has been missing since Monday evening. It blamed the student and youth wings of the ruling Awami League party for the attack, although police said they did not know the identity of the attackers. "We rescued them (the journalists) from the situation," district police chief S.M Shafiur Rahman told AFP, rejecting the allegations police did not respond to the attack in time. The chiefs of both outlets demanded immediate arrests of the attackers but the police chief said no formal complaints had been filed. Violent clashes have marred the run-up to the December 30 election, with the opposition saying hundreds of its activists and dozens of candidates have been injured in attacks by followers of the ruling party. Six people have been killed, including two from the ruling party. Two news cameramen were also attacked by alleged pro-government activists in the central Munshiganj district on Tuesday, the online edition of the private NTV station said. Top journalist lobby group Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) demanded the attackers be punished. "The state and the government will have to shoulder the responsibility and take steps to curb such attacks," BFUJ President Molla Zalal said. Press freedom has been under the spotlight in the South Asian nation as opposition and rights group have accused Prime Minister's Sheikh Hasina's government of muzzling dissent through controversial anti-press laws.

Bangladesh: At least 10 journalists attacked ahead of polls

Fresh from jail for dissent, and celebrated by Time magazine for fearless journalism, Shahidul Alam is not hiding as his native Bangladesh approaches an election he fears could be rigged.

More than 100 million voters are registered for the December 30 poll in the South Asia nation -- one of the world's largest democratic exercises.

But Alam, an award-winning photojournalist and activist, says a climate of fear gripping Bangladesh could keep many away from the ballot box and encourage self-censorship by the country's browbeaten free press.

"I hope for a free and fair election," he told AFP in an interview in Dhaka.

"But I am pretty certain that is not how it is going to be, based on how things are shaping up."

The opposition says its candidates have been disqualified and supporters jailed in a pre-election crackdown, and political rallies turned violent almost as soon as campaigning began.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is seeking a third-straight term, has been accused of intolerance to dissent and creeping authoritarianism in her nearly decade in power.

Alam, who this week was named one of Time magazine's "Persons of the Year" alongside other free-press champions, is no stranger to falling foul of her rule.

In August, in a television interview, Alam criticised the government's handling of major student rallies that were gripping Bangladesh.

He was arrested in a midnight raid on his home and charged with making "false" and "provocative" statements -- offences carrying a maximum 14 years in jail.

Hasina publicly derided the internationally renowned photographer as "mentally sick".

"I hope this sickness is something that is contagious, that many other people become sick like me and come out and speak the truth," Alam said.

His detention sparked global outrage and became a closely watched freedom of speech case.

Alam, 63, says he was beaten in custody so badly his tunic needed washing before he appeared in court.

There, in a defiant show of force, he raised his fist for the waiting cameras.

"I was hit. I was blindfolded. I was handcuffed. I was threatened with waterboarding", he told AFP of his stretch behind bars.

Police have denied assaulting Alam in custody.

'Let people speak'

After 108 days, he was released from prison in late November on bail.

But despite his torment, and facing serious jail time, Alam has refused to bow down as the election looms, warning Bangladesh is at a "critical juncture".

Hasina was elected unchallenged in 2014 after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the vote, alleging it was rigged.

This time around the BNP, the main opposition party, is contesting the poll but without its leader Khaleda Zia, Hasina's chief rival and twice Bangladesh's prime minister.

Zia is behind bars on corruption charges her supporters say were politically motivated to keep her out of the race.

The opposition is yet is yet to nominate a challenger to Hasina, with other key figures in exile or also languishing in prison.

"The opposition is being arrested in hordes," Alam said.

"That does not bode well. It does not indicate the genuine intention of holding a free and fair election."

To compound matters, Bangladesh media was unwilling to "talk about things that are really happening" in the nation of 160 million along the Bay of Bengal, fearing retaliation.

Rights groups have accused Hasina of stifling dissent by wielding draconian laws to curb free speech, and using police and the courts to cow opponents

Alam said it was vital Bangladesh, and its democratic champions did not lose sight of what was at stake and kept up the fight in the coming weeks.

"We live in a free country, supposedly. Why not let people speak their will?" he said.

"It is time for me and everyone else to ensure a free, fair and participatory election takes place. And all of us should do everything in our power to ensure that happens."

Fresh from jail for dissent, and celebrated by Time magazine for fearless journalism, Shahidul Alam is not hiding as his native Bangladesh approaches an election he fears could be rigged.

Fresh from jail for dissent, and celebrated by Time magazine for fearless journalism, Shahidul Alam is not hiding as his native Bangladesh approaches an election he fears could be rigged. More than 100 million voters are registered for the December 30 poll in the South Asia nation -- one of the world's largest democratic exercises. But Alam, an award-winning photojournalist and activist, says a climate of fear gripping Bangladesh could keep many away from the ballot box and encourage self-censorship by the country's browbeaten free press. "I hope for a free and fair election," he told AFP in an interview in Dhaka. "But I am pretty certain that is not how it is going to be, based on how things are shaping up." The opposition says its candidates have been disqualified and supporters jailed in a pre-election crackdown, and political rallies turned violent almost as soon as campaigning began. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is seeking a third-straight term, has been accused of intolerance to dissent and creeping authoritarianism in her nearly decade in power. Alam, who this week was named one of Time magazine's "Persons of the Year" alongside other free-press champions, is no stranger to falling foul of her rule. In August, in a television interview, Alam criticised the government's handling of major student rallies that were gripping Bangladesh. He was arrested in a midnight raid on his home and charged with making "false" and "provocative" statements -- offences carrying a maximum 14 years in jail. Hasina publicly derided the internationally renowned photographer as "mentally sick". "I hope this sickness is something that is contagious, that many other people become sick like me and come out and speak the truth," Alam said. His detention sparked global outrage and became a closely watched freedom of speech case. Alam, 63, says he was beaten in custody so badly his tunic needed washing before he appeared in court. There, in a defiant show of force, he raised his fist for the waiting cameras. "I was hit. I was blindfolded. I was handcuffed. I was threatened with waterboarding", he told AFP of his stretch behind bars. Police have denied assaulting Alam in custody. 'Let people speak' After 108 days, he was released from prison in late November on bail. But despite his torment, and facing serious jail time, Alam has refused to bow down as the election looms, warning Bangladesh is at a "critical juncture". Hasina was elected unchallenged in 2014 after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the vote, alleging it was rigged. This time around the BNP, the main opposition party, is contesting the poll but without its leader Khaleda Zia, Hasina's chief rival and twice Bangladesh's prime minister. Zia is behind bars on corruption charges her supporters say were politically motivated to keep her out of the race. The opposition is yet is yet to nominate a challenger to Hasina, with other key figures in exile or also languishing in prison. "The opposition is being arrested in hordes," Alam said. "That does not bode well. It does not indicate the genuine intention of holding a free and fair election." To compound matters, Bangladesh media was unwilling to "talk about things that are really happening" in the nation of 160 million along the Bay of Bengal, fearing retaliation. Rights groups have accused Hasina of stifling dissent by wielding draconian laws to curb free speech, and using police and the courts to cow opponents Alam said it was vital Bangladesh, and its democratic champions did not lose sight of what was at stake and kept up the fight in the coming weeks. "We live in a free country, supposedly. Why not let people speak their will?" he said. "It is time for me and everyone else to ensure a free, fair and participatory election takes place. And all of us should do everything in our power to ensure that happens."

Top dissident warns Bangladesh at 'critical juncture'

The US Congress has voted to demand access for US diplomats, journalists and tourists to Tibet, threatening to bar the Chinese officials responsible for the policy from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-ex-lawyer-cohens-crimes-are-unrelated-to-me-183823">United States</a> if the region remained walled off to foreigners.

The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, comes after years of concern over human rights violations in the predominantly Buddhist region, where foreigners are generally required to obtain a special permit to visit.

Congress voted to require the State Department to verify each year whether China has granted access to Tibet and ethnically Tibetan areas in line with how it treats the rest of the country.

If restrictions remain in place on Americans seeking to enter Tibet, the State Department would then be compelled to ban Chinese officials responsible for the policy from entering the United States.

Senator Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the bill was "about fundamental fairness."&nbsp;

"Chinese citizens enjoy broad access to the United States, and I think that is terrific," he said.

"But it is unacceptable that the same is not true for US students, journalists or diplomats going to Tibet, including our Tibetan-American constituents just trying to visit their country of origin."

The bill passed without objections by a voice vote this week after similar passage in the House of Representatives.

The legislation needs the signature of President Donald Trump, which appears likely as it has wide support within his Republican Party.

The bill comes amid frictions between the United States and China over trade and the arrest in Canada on a US request of an executive with Chinese tech giant Huawei on charges of violating US sanctions on Iran.

A recent op-ed piece in China's state-run Global Times denounced the Tibet bill and accused the United States of "double standards or even multiple standards on human rights," pointing to how Washington pulled out of the UN Human Rights Council over the body's criticism of Israel.

Matteo Mecacci -- the president of the International Campaign for Tibet, an advocacy group close to the exiled Dalai Lama that has pressed for the legislation -- said the measure was different from trade tensions as it will become part of US law.

"Certainly this is a major step forward because now it is clearly on the agenda of the Chinese government," said Mecacci, a former Italian MP.

"Our goal is not to stop Chinese officials from coming here. It is to open up Tibet to the world," he told AFP.

"If they choose to scrap this system of additional permits, that would be, as they would say, a win-win."

The US Congress has voted to demand access for US diplomats, journalists and tourists to Tibet, threatening to bar the Chinese officials responsible for the policy from the United States if the region remained walled off to foreigners.

The US Congress has voted to demand access for US diplomats, journalists and tourists to Tibet, threatening to bar the Chinese officials responsible for the policy from the United States if the region remained walled off to foreigners. The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, comes after years of concern over human rights violations in the predominantly Buddhist region, where foreigners are generally required to obtain a special permit to visit. Congress voted to require the State Department to verify each year whether China has granted access to Tibet and ethnically Tibetan areas in line with how it treats the rest of the country. If restrictions remain in place on Americans seeking to enter Tibet, the State Department would then be compelled to ban Chinese officials responsible for the policy from entering the United States. Senator Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the bill was "about fundamental fairness." "Chinese citizens enjoy broad access to the United States, and I think that is terrific," he said. "But it is unacceptable that the same is not true for US students, journalists or diplomats going to Tibet, including our Tibetan-American constituents just trying to visit their country of origin." The bill passed without objections by a voice vote this week after similar passage in the House of Representatives. The legislation needs the signature of President Donald Trump, which appears likely as it has wide support within his Republican Party. The bill comes amid frictions between the United States and China over trade and the arrest in Canada on a US request of an executive with Chinese tech giant Huawei on charges of violating US sanctions on Iran. A recent op-ed piece in China's state-run Global Times denounced the Tibet bill and accused the United States of "double standards or even multiple standards on human rights," pointing to how Washington pulled out of the UN Human Rights Council over the body's criticism of Israel. Matteo Mecacci -- the president of the International Campaign for Tibet, an advocacy group close to the exiled Dalai Lama that has pressed for the legislation -- said the measure was different from trade tensions as it will become part of US law. "Certainly this is a major step forward because now it is clearly on the agenda of the Chinese government," said Mecacci, a former Italian MP. "Our goal is not to stop Chinese officials from coming here. It is to open up Tibet to the world," he told AFP. "If they choose to scrap this system of additional permits, that would be, as they would say, a win-win."

US demands access for US diplomats, journalists to Tibet, threatening to bar Chinese officials

Several armed men in plain dress barged into the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Thursday and harassed journalists, according to the office bearers of the club in Pakistan's southern port city.

The incident happened on Thursday night at 10:30 pm When dozens of armed men forced themselves into the club, which has been a symbol of struggle and expression of speech, one of the office-bearers said.

"Dozens of gunmen in plainclothes entered the KPC at 10:30 pm, harassed the journalists, examined different rooms, kitchen, the upper floor of the building and the sports hall. They forcibly made videos and took pictures with mobile cameras," he said.

Following the incident, the KPC office-bearers immediately informed the Additional Inspector General, Dr Amir Ahmed Shaikh, about the incident and were assured of an immediate inquiry into the matter.

Journalists have called for a protest on Friday afternoon against the incident.&nbsp;

Several armed men in plain dress barged into the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Thursday and harassed journalists, according to the office bearers of the club in Pakistan's southern port city.

Several armed men in plain dress barged into the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Thursday and harassed journalists, according to the office bearers of the club in Pakistan's southern port city. The incident happened on Thursday night at 10:30 pm When dozens of armed men forced themselves into the club, which has been a symbol of struggle and expression of speech, one of the office-bearers said. "Dozens of gunmen in plainclothes entered the KPC at 10:30 pm, harassed the journalists, examined different rooms, kitchen, the upper floor of the building and the sports hall. They forcibly made videos and took pictures with mobile cameras," he said. Following the incident, the KPC office-bearers immediately informed the Additional Inspector General, Dr Amir Ahmed Shaikh, about the incident and were assured of an immediate inquiry into the matter. Journalists have called for a protest on Friday afternoon against the incident.

Armed men barge into Karachi press club; harass journalists

Journalists and human rights groups are demanding major amendments to a bill recently passed in Bangladesh's Parliament, saying it will further choke constitutionally protected freedom of speech.

A powerful body of editors of leading newspapers and TV stations has officially protested the bill, called the Digital Security Act, and plans to form a human chain to protest Saturday in front of the national press club in Dhaka.

"We are moving toward a bad time. This law will hurt the media, democracy and freedom of expression," said Khandakar Muniruzzaman, acting editor of the Bengali-language daily Sangbad and among those planning to participate in the protest Saturday.

Senior editors, journalist groups and human rights groups in and outside Bangladesh are echoing these concerns, demanding that lawmakers clarify sections of the bill they say could be wielded arbitrarily against government critics before the president signs it.

In Bangladesh, the president customarily signs anything passed by Parliament. He can send it back to Parliament, but if members think no changes are needed, it will go back to him for a signature. If the president does not sign it in six months, it automatically becomes law.

The bill would replace a previous information communication technology law, which was also criticized by journalists and human rights groups for its alleged use to crack down on dissent. Many editors and reporters have been sued for defamation under the law.

Observers say the bill is part of a broader campaign to silence critics in Bangladesh, and reflects a worrying trend in fledgling Asian democracies.

Journalists in Nepal are combating a similar law, part of an expansive rewriting of that country's civil and criminal codes meant to define the parameters of Nepal's new constitution.

Laws like the one recently passed in Nepal and the one pending in Bangladesh, where democracy was restored in 1990 after the military dictator was ousted, could make it more difficult for journalists to expose corruption.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who political opponents decry as an autocrat, defended the bill in Parliament last week, saying that it was meant to protect the country from propaganda.

"Journalism is surely not for increasing conflict, or for tarnishing the image of the country," she said.

Bangladeshi journalists are taking particular umbrage with a section of the bill that authorizes up to 14 years in prison for gathering, sending or preserving classified information of any government using a computer or other digital device. The journalists say publishing such information is a way to hold officials accountable. The section evokes the sentiment of a British colonial-era law about protecting official secrets.

The bill would also authorize prison sentences of up to three years for publishing information that is "aggressive or frightening" and up to 10 years for posting information that "ruins communal harmony or creates instability or disorder or disturbs or is about to disturb the law and order situation."

Government officials have listed incidents in recent years in which false social media posts about people disrespecting the Quran have incited violence.

Critics of the bill say existing criminal laws adequately address these concerns.

Fears of the broad reach of the bill extend beyond journalists.

Human Rights Watch said the law would be ripe for abuse, in part because it would empower police to search or arrest suspects without a court order.

"Bangladesh authorities have failed to address serious human rights violations, and when criticized, chosen to target the messenger," spokeswoman Meenakshi Ganguly told The Associated Press.

"Bangladeshi journalists, already under pressure, will now worry about doing their job in exposing government failures," she said.

Some critics say introducing such a law a few months before general elections, which are expected in December, could also target opposition activists and candidates.

Bangladesh's main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, has said the bill is intended to silence its members. Party leader former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, an archrival of Hasina, is currently in jail for corruption. Her supporters say her jailing is politically motivated, an allegation authorities have denied.

An election-time government is expected to be formed in mid-October that Hasina is supposed to head in line with the constitution, but the opposition says an election under Hasina could be rigged. The opposition wants a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee the elections.

The opposition says their activists are facing thousands of politically-motivated criminal charges, but police say they are following the law, without regard to suspects' political affiliations.

Journalists and human rights groups are demanding major amendments to a bill recently passed in Bangladesh's Parliament, saying it will further choke constitutionally protected freedom of speech.

Journalists and human rights groups are demanding major amendments to a bill recently passed in Bangladesh's Parliament, saying it will further choke constitutionally protected freedom of speech. A powerful body of editors of leading newspapers and TV stations has officially protested the bill, called the Digital Security Act, and plans to form a human chain to protest Saturday in front of the national press club in Dhaka. "We are moving toward a bad time. This law will hurt the media, democracy and freedom of expression," said Khandakar Muniruzzaman, acting editor of the Bengali-language daily Sangbad and among those planning to participate in the protest Saturday. Senior editors, journalist groups and human rights groups in and outside Bangladesh are echoing these concerns, demanding that lawmakers clarify sections of the bill they say could be wielded arbitrarily against government critics before the president signs it. In Bangladesh, the president customarily signs anything passed by Parliament. He can send it back to Parliament, but if members think no changes are needed, it will go back to him for a signature. If the president does not sign it in six months, it automatically becomes law. The bill would replace a previous information communication technology law, which was also criticized by journalists and human rights groups for its alleged use to crack down on dissent. Many editors and reporters have been sued for defamation under the law. Observers say the bill is part of a broader campaign to silence critics in Bangladesh, and reflects a worrying trend in fledgling Asian democracies. Journalists in Nepal are combating a similar law, part of an expansive rewriting of that country's civil and criminal codes meant to define the parameters of Nepal's new constitution. Laws like the one recently passed in Nepal and the one pending in Bangladesh, where democracy was restored in 1990 after the military dictator was ousted, could make it more difficult for journalists to expose corruption. Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who political opponents decry as an autocrat, defended the bill in Parliament last week, saying that it was meant to protect the country from propaganda. "Journalism is surely not for increasing conflict, or for tarnishing the image of the country," she said. Bangladeshi journalists are taking particular umbrage with a section of the bill that authorizes up to 14 years in prison for gathering, sending or preserving classified information of any government using a computer or other digital device. The journalists say publishing such information is a way to hold officials accountable. The section evokes the sentiment of a British colonial-era law about protecting official secrets. The bill would also authorize prison sentences of up to three years for publishing information that is "aggressive or frightening" and up to 10 years for posting information that "ruins communal harmony or creates instability or disorder or disturbs or is about to disturb the law and order situation." Government officials have listed incidents in recent years in which false social media posts about people disrespecting the Quran have incited violence. Critics of the bill say existing criminal laws adequately address these concerns. Fears of the broad reach of the bill extend beyond journalists. Human Rights Watch said the law would be ripe for abuse, in part because it would empower police to search or arrest suspects without a court order. "Bangladesh authorities have failed to address serious human rights violations, and when criticized, chosen to target the messenger," spokeswoman Meenakshi Ganguly told The Associated Press. "Bangladeshi journalists, already under pressure, will now worry about doing their job in exposing government failures," she said. Some critics say introducing such a law a few months before general elections, which are expected in December, could also target opposition activists and candidates. Bangladesh's main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, has said the bill is intended to silence its members. Party leader former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, an archrival of Hasina, is currently in jail for corruption. Her supporters say her jailing is politically motivated, an allegation authorities have denied. An election-time government is expected to be formed in mid-October that Hasina is supposed to head in line with the constitution, but the opposition says an election under Hasina could be rigged. The opposition wants a non-partisan caretaker government to oversee the elections. The opposition says their activists are facing thousands of politically-motivated criminal charges, but police say they are following the law, without regard to suspects' political affiliations.

Journalists slam pending Bangladesh digital security law

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3rd as World Press Freedom Day in December 1993.&nbsp;

It was meant as a day to celebrate the importance of free press across the globe, according to the&nbsp;United Nations.&nbsp;

This year’s global theme is ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law’, and will cover issues of media and the transparency of the political process, the independence and media literacy of the judicial system, and the accountability of state institutions towards the public, UNESCO said.&nbsp;

However,&nbsp;harassment and attacks on journalists have&nbsp;been on the rise, at least 81 journalists were killed last year, according to the International Federation of Journalists.

The alarming data further informs that 262 journalists were imprisoned in 2017 -&nbsp;the highest ever recorded by the Committee to Protect Journalists.&nbsp;

Last week, in a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, 10 journalists were killed.&nbsp;

An initial&nbsp;blast set off the at check-point near Headquarters of Afghanistan's main intelligence agency killed mostly&nbsp;civilians including several journalists in the line of duty.

After the reporter arrived on the scene a second suicide bomb was detonated.&nbsp;

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Attacks across Afghanistan today killed nearly 40 people, including 11 children. Afghan security forces, NATO soldiers and journalists were the intended targets. <a href="https://twitter.com/WmBrangham?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WmBrangham</a> details the deadly bombing <a href="https://t.co/joAnKFc7DO">pic.twitter.com/joAnKFc7DO</a>
— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsHour/status/991077948949065728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The country where most journalists were killed was Mexico, followed by Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.&nbsp;

The United Nations posted messages on 'World Press Freedom Day'.

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How would your life be without <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PressFreedom?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PressFreedom</a>? 
 
Stop censorship. 
Stop internet shutdowns. 
Stop attacks against journalists. 
 
Time for truth. 
Time for Press Freedom. 
 
3 May is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldPressFreedomDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldPressFreedomDay</a>. 
 
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"Every individual has the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek and receive information and ideas through any media, regardless of frontiers" - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HumanRights?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HumanRights</a> Declaration, Article 19. 
 
3 May is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldPressFreedomDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldPressFreedomDay</a> 
 
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On <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldPressFreedomDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldPressFreedomDay</a>: 
 
Join the call. 
 
Speak up. 
 
Defend your rights. 
 
Stand up for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PressFreedom?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PressFreedom</a>. 
 
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&nbsp;

The United Nations General Assembly declared 3rd May as World Press Freedom Day in December 1993

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3rd as World Press Freedom Day in December 1993. It was meant as a day to celebrate the importance of free press across the globe, according to the United Nations. This year’s global theme is ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law’, and will cover issues of media and the transparency of the political process, the independence and media literacy of the judicial system, and the accountability of state institutions towards the public, UNESCO said. However, harassment and attacks on journalists have been on the rise, at least 81 journalists were killed last year, according to the International Federation of Journalists. The alarming data further informs that 262 journalists were imprisoned in 2017 - the highest ever recorded by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Last week, in a suicide attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, 10 journalists were killed. An initial blast set off the at check-point near Headquarters of Afghanistan's main intelligence agency killed mostly civilians including several journalists in the line of duty. After the reporter arrived on the scene a second suicide bomb was detonated. Attacks across Afghanistan today killed nearly 40 people, including 11 children. Afghan security forces, NATO soldiers and journalists were the intended targets. @WmBrangham details the deadly bombing pic.twitter.com/joAnKFc7DO — PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) April 30, 2018 × The country where most journalists were killed was Mexico, followed by Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. The United Nations posted messages on 'World Press Freedom Day'. How would your life be without #PressFreedom? Stop censorship. Stop internet shutdowns. Stop attacks against journalists. Time for truth. Time for Press Freedom. 3 May is #WorldPressFreedomDay. ? https://t.co/OAlNX2nRrV pic.twitter.com/uzod9j2EVt — UNESCO (@UNESCO) May 3, 2018 × "Every individual has the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek and receive information and ideas through any media, regardless of frontiers" - #HumanRights Declaration, Article 19. 3 May is #WorldPressFreedomDay ? https://t.co/c8p2OOTT1a #PressFreedom pic.twitter.com/z4dCE34hsf — UNESCO (@UNESCO) May 2, 2018 × .@antonioguterres: “Promoting a free press is standing up for our right to truth”. On #WorldPressFreedomDay: Join the call. Speak up. Defend your rights. Stand up for #PressFreedom. ? https://t.co/OAlNX2nRrV pic.twitter.com/ZpO4j5bxfW — UNESCO (@UNESCO) May 2, 2018 ×

World Press Freedom Day: Transparency in political process on UNESCO's agenda

A Myanmar judge said Wednesday he would decide next week on whether to throw out a case against two Reuters journalists who were arrested while reporting on military abuses against Rohingya Muslims.&nbsp

Myanmar nationals Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, could face up to 14 years in prison on charges of possessing classified documents under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act.

Their plight has triggered global alarm over worsening media freedoms in Myanmar and government efforts to restrict reporting on northern Rakhine state, where troops are accused of waging an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Rohingya minority.

Last week the journalists' lawyers asked the court to drop the case, which is still in a pre-trial hearing phase, saying there was not enough evidence to charge the pair.&nbsp

On Wednesday defence and prosecution teams presented arguments on the motion to a courtroom packed with relatives, media and diplomats.

"I'm going to give a decision on Wednesday, April 11th," said Judge Ye Lwin. 
At the time of their arrest four months ago the reporters were investigating the killing by security forces and ethnic Rakhine locals of 10 unarmed Rohingya Muslim men.

The army later acknowledged that security officers took part in the extrajudicial killings of the men, who were in custody at the time, in Inn Din village and vowed to take action against those responsible.

But it has denied any other abuses against the Rohingya, rejecting allegations from the UN that troops are guilty of ethnic cleansing and possible genocide in a campaign that has expelled 700,000 Rohingya from the country since August.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has estimated that at least 6,700 Rohingya were killed in the first month of the crackdown alone.&nbsp

The journalists, who have been detained since their arrest on December 12, have vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

Their families say they were set up by two policemen who invited them for dinner and gave them the documents in question before their arrest.

"I haven't done anything wrong. That's why I believe I will be free soon," Kyaw Soe Oo told reporters after the hearing.&nbsp

Sean Bain, who was observing the trial for the International Commission of Jurists, called on the government to order prosecutors to "immediately drop these spurious charges".

"Each adjournment wrongfully extends their detention," he told, adding that "three months of hearings have produced no credible evidence" against the journalists.

Calls for the pair's release have poured in from around the globe, including from former US president Bill Clinton and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The case received another publicity boost last week after British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Clooney announced she would represent the pair.

She was not in court on Wednesday.&nbsp

Myanmar nationals Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, could face up to 14 years in prison on charges of possessing classified documents under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act

A Myanmar judge said Wednesday he would decide next week on whether to throw out a case against two Reuters journalists who were arrested while reporting on military abuses against Rohingya Muslims. Myanmar nationals Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, could face up to 14 years in prison on charges of possessing classified documents under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Their plight has triggered global alarm over worsening media freedoms in Myanmar and government efforts to restrict reporting on northern Rakhine state, where troops are accused of waging an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Rohingya minority. Last week the journalists' lawyers asked the court to drop the case, which is still in a pre-trial hearing phase, saying there was not enough evidence to charge the pair. On Wednesday defence and prosecution teams presented arguments on the motion to a courtroom packed with relatives, media and diplomats. "I'm going to give a decision on Wednesday, April 11th," said Judge Ye Lwin. At the time of their arrest four months ago the reporters were investigating the killing by security forces and ethnic Rakhine locals of 10 unarmed Rohingya Muslim men. The army later acknowledged that security officers took part in the extrajudicial killings of the men, who were in custody at the time, in Inn Din village and vowed to take action against those responsible. But it has denied any other abuses against the Rohingya, rejecting allegations from the UN that troops are guilty of ethnic cleansing and possible genocide in a campaign that has expelled 700,000 Rohingya from the country since August. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has estimated that at least 6,700 Rohingya were killed in the first month of the crackdown alone. The journalists, who have been detained since their arrest on December 12, have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Their families say they were set up by two policemen who invited them for dinner and gave them the documents in question before their arrest. "I haven't done anything wrong. That's why I believe I will be free soon," Kyaw Soe Oo told reporters after the hearing. Sean Bain, who was observing the trial for the International Commission of Jurists, called on the government to order prosecutors to "immediately drop these spurious charges". "Each adjournment wrongfully extends their detention," he told, adding that "three months of hearings have produced no credible evidence" against the journalists. Calls for the pair's release have poured in from around the globe, including from former US president Bill Clinton and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The case received another publicity boost last week after British-Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Clooney announced she would represent the pair. She was not in court on Wednesday.

Myanmar judge to rule next week on dropping journalists' case

Taking a first step to deal with the rising menace of fake news, the Indian government has amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists proposing penalties ranging from suspension to cancellation of accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting “fake news”.

While these guidelines, for the time being, will only apply to journalists accredited with the Government of India, there are indications that the government was going to deal with non-accredited journalists engaging in fake news through other departments of the Information & Broadcasting ministry.

While the Indian government is trying to put a deterrent mechanism in place through this latest move, it is expected to ignite a major controversy with apprehensions that the new&nbsp;guidelines could be misused to muzzle the freedom of press.

The government said that once complaints of instances of fake news are received, those related to print media will be referred to the Press Council of India (PCI) while those pertaining to the electronic media will be referred to the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). These two bodies will then have to determine within a period of 15 days whether the news-item referred to in the complaint was fake or not.

As soon as the complaint is registered and sent for inquiry to PCI or NBA, the accreditation of the journalist in question will get suspended and will remain suspended during the period of inquiry.

In case the PCI or the NBA confirm the publication or telecast of fake news, the accreditation of the journalist in question will be “suspended for a period of 6 months in the first violation and for one year in the case of 2nd violation and in the event of 3rd violation it would be cancelled permanently”.

The government also said that the Accreditation Committee of the Press Information Bureau, which consists of representative of both PCI and NBA, shall invariably be reached out to for validating any accreditation request of any news media agency.

“While examining the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies will examine whether the `Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and `Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards’ prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively are adhered to by the journalists as part of their functioning. It would be obligatory for journalists to abide by these guidelines,” the Information & Broadcasting ministry said.

Significantly, the Indian government’s move came on a day when Malaysia pushed a law through its Parliament making fake news punishable with a maximum six-year jail term.

Instances of fake news have become commonplace in India, particularly on the social media and in vernacular press. Even the national media has often fallen prey to this menace. Sources in the Indian government said that the problem appears to be assuming alarming proportions and that was why some action needed to be taken and that is what has led to these latest amendment in guidelines.

The penalties range from the suspension to cancellation of accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting 'fake news'

Taking a first step to deal with the rising menace of fake news, the Indian government has amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists proposing penalties ranging from suspension to cancellation of accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting “fake news”. While these guidelines, for the time being, will only apply to journalists accredited with the Government of India, there are indications that the government was going to deal with non-accredited journalists engaging in fake news through other departments of the Information & Broadcasting ministry. While the Indian government is trying to put a deterrent mechanism in place through this latest move, it is expected to ignite a major controversy with apprehensions that the new guidelines could be misused to muzzle the freedom of press. The government said that once complaints of instances of fake news are received, those related to print media will be referred to the Press Council of India (PCI) while those pertaining to the electronic media will be referred to the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). These two bodies will then have to determine within a period of 15 days whether the news-item referred to in the complaint was fake or not. As soon as the complaint is registered and sent for inquiry to PCI or NBA, the accreditation of the journalist in question will get suspended and will remain suspended during the period of inquiry. In case the PCI or the NBA confirm the publication or telecast of fake news, the accreditation of the journalist in question will be “suspended for a period of 6 months in the first violation and for one year in the case of 2nd violation and in the event of 3rd violation it would be cancelled permanently”. The government also said that the Accreditation Committee of the Press Information Bureau, which consists of representative of both PCI and NBA, shall invariably be reached out to for validating any accreditation request of any news media agency. “While examining the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies will examine whether the `Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and `Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards’ prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively are adhered to by the journalists as part of their functioning. It would be obligatory for journalists to abide by these guidelines,” the Information & Broadcasting ministry said. Significantly, the Indian government’s move came on a day when Malaysia pushed a law through its Parliament making fake news punishable with a maximum six-year jail term. Instances of fake news have become commonplace in India, particularly on the social media and in vernacular press. Even the national media has often fallen prey to this menace. Sources in the Indian government said that the problem appears to be assuming alarming proportions and that was why some action needed to be taken and that is what has led to these latest amendment in guidelines.

Government proposes penalties for journalists reporting 'fake news'

Pakistan is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for activists and reporters.

The country's powerful and secretive security establishment, which includes the much feared Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the military, has long used abductions to silence anyone who dares to question or expose their actions, claims Kiran Nazish, an independent journalist covering South Asia and the Middle East, adding that she is of the view that the army is now waging what she calls "a quiet war on journalists".

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, nearly 10,000 people have gone missing in the country since 2001, with nearly 3,000 still unaccounted for. In 2016 alone, there were 728 disappearances.

The HRCP and human rights activists say these numbers are significantly under-reported.

This matters, of course, for ordinary Pakistanis, who can't speak freely about their government. It also affects Pakistani lawmakers, whose ability to craft legislation is hampered by the lack of information, Nazish says in an article that she has written for the website www.vox.com.

According to Nazish, these enforced disappearances have real consequences for the rest of the world as well and recalls US President Donald Trump's first tweet of 2018, when he directly exposed Pakistan's failure to assist Washington in its global war on terror.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit," he tweeted.

"They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help," he added.

According to Nazish, Trump's tweet speaks of a larger issue i.e. that Pakistan is battling its own war on terror.

"Many parts of the country, including Waziristan, on its porous border with Afghanistan, have turned into safe havens for militants and terror groups. The Pakistani military has been accused of working closely with and even aiding terrorists there. To many, Pakistan is a black hole of information due to the lack of reporting and independent voices on the ground. Not knowing what actually is taking place not only complicates global efforts to counter terrorism but also puts the region and the world at large at risk," she says.

She further asks how will Washington verify Pakistan's cracking down on terrorist groups like the Taliban and the Haqqani Network before agreeing to revoke the suspension of USD 900 million in security aid to Islamabad.

Nazish opines that Pakistan's intelligence agencies operate like an independent arm of the state

"It's important to note that Pakistan's government, although democratically elected, does not have the power to control or influence the far-reaching and powerful military establishment. Pakistan's intelligence agencies hold so much power that even the police can't touch them. And despite criticism and warnings from international groups and pledges by the government of Pakistan, disappearances seem to be getting worse," she adds.

Pakistan's Commission on Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances received nearly 300 cases of alleged enforced disappearances from August to October 2017, by far the largest number in a three month period in recent years.

And in early 2017, three Pakistani bloggers who were critical of the government disappeared for weeks, without a trace. When they were released, all three described torture and sexual abuse at the hands of Pakistani security personnel.

"Anyone who reports on Balochistan, or terrorism in Pakistan, knows that the military agencies will come after them," Khushal Khan, a research officer at the HRCP, told Nazish.

Waziristan, the restive region on the Western border with Afghanistan, is one of the most under-reported places in the country. There's almost no information that hasn't been vetted or censored by the military going in or out.

The Pakistani military has claimed several times that they have defeated terrorism in this area and forced out the terrorists - but the military refuses to let journalists or NGOs visit the area to verify their claims.

The fact is that anyone who attempts to report on what's happening in Pakistan now runs the risk of disappearing.

"When I was investigating abductions of civilians from Waziristan in 2015, my sources were threatened and told that they "should not speak to journalists," Nazish, a former senior fellow at New America, says.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, nearly 10,000 people have gone missing in the country since 2001, with nearly 3,000 still unaccounted for.

Pakistan is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for activists and reporters. The country's powerful and secretive security establishment, which includes the much feared Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the military, has long used abductions to silence anyone who dares to question or expose their actions, claims Kiran Nazish, an independent journalist covering South Asia and the Middle East, adding that she is of the view that the army is now waging what she calls "a quiet war on journalists". According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, nearly 10,000 people have gone missing in the country since 2001, with nearly 3,000 still unaccounted for. In 2016 alone, there were 728 disappearances. The HRCP and human rights activists say these numbers are significantly under-reported. This matters, of course, for ordinary Pakistanis, who can't speak freely about their government. It also affects Pakistani lawmakers, whose ability to craft legislation is hampered by the lack of information, Nazish says in an article that she has written for the website www.vox.com. According to Nazish, these enforced disappearances have real consequences for the rest of the world as well and recalls US President Donald Trump's first tweet of 2018, when he directly exposed Pakistan's failure to assist Washington in its global war on terror. "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit," he tweeted. "They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help," he added. According to Nazish, Trump's tweet speaks of a larger issue i.e. that Pakistan is battling its own war on terror. "Many parts of the country, including Waziristan, on its porous border with Afghanistan, have turned into safe havens for militants and terror groups. The Pakistani military has been accused of working closely with and even aiding terrorists there. To many, Pakistan is a black hole of information due to the lack of reporting and independent voices on the ground. Not knowing what actually is taking place not only complicates global efforts to counter terrorism but also puts the region and the world at large at risk," she says. She further asks how will Washington verify Pakistan's cracking down on terrorist groups like the Taliban and the Haqqani Network before agreeing to revoke the suspension of USD 900 million in security aid to Islamabad. Nazish opines that Pakistan's intelligence agencies operate like an independent arm of the state "It's important to note that Pakistan's government, although democratically elected, does not have the power to control or influence the far-reaching and powerful military establishment. Pakistan's intelligence agencies hold so much power that even the police can't touch them. And despite criticism and warnings from international groups and pledges by the government of Pakistan, disappearances seem to be getting worse," she adds. Pakistan's Commission on Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances received nearly 300 cases of alleged enforced disappearances from August to October 2017, by far the largest number in a three month period in recent years. And in early 2017, three Pakistani bloggers who were critical of the government disappeared for weeks, without a trace. When they were released, all three described torture and sexual abuse at the hands of Pakistani security personnel. "Anyone who reports on Balochistan, or terrorism in Pakistan, knows that the military agencies will come after them," Khushal Khan, a research officer at the HRCP, told Nazish. Waziristan, the restive region on the Western border with Afghanistan, is one of the most under-reported places in the country. There's almost no information that hasn't been vetted or censored by the military going in or out. The Pakistani military has claimed several times that they have defeated terrorism in this area and forced out the terrorists - but the military refuses to let journalists or NGOs visit the area to verify their claims. The fact is that anyone who attempts to report on what's happening in Pakistan now runs the risk of disappearing. "When I was investigating abductions of civilians from Waziristan in 2015, my sources were threatened and told that they "should not speak to journalists," Nazish, a former senior fellow at New America, says.

Pakistan's military, ISI waging 'quiet war' against journalists, activists: Expert 

Two Reuters reporters appeared in a Myanmar court for the 11th time on Wednesday, which marked 100 days since they were arrested in December and accused of possessing secret government papers.

A Yangon court is holding preliminary hearings to decide whether reporters Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, will face charges under the colonial-era Officials Secrets Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

&ldquo;They have been detained in Myanmar since December 12 simply for doing their jobs as journalists,&rdquo; Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief Stephen J Adler said in a statement.

&ldquo;Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are exemplary individuals and outstanding reporters who are dedicated to their families and their craft. They should be in the newsroom, not in prison. We call on the authorities in Myanmar to release them as soon as possible and allow them to return to their families and their jobs.&rdquo;

Government spokespeople have declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing court proceedings.

The journalists have told relatives they were arrested almost immediately after being handed some rolled up papers after being invited to a restaurant by two officers they had not met before.

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been investigating the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men in a village in western Myanmar&rsquo;s Rakhine state during a military crackdown in August.

The crackdown, which the United Nations has said was ethnic cleansing, has sent nearly 700,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh.

After the arrests of the reporters, the military admitted its soldiers took part in the killing.

Senior United Nations officials, western nations and press freedom advocates have called for the release of the journalists.

On Wednesday, diplomats from countries including the United States, Canada, Sweden and the European Union were attending the court hearing in Myanmar&rsquo;s largest city, Yangon.

The Danish embassy, which has closely monitored the case, said the pair had spent &ldquo;100 days behind bars for ensuring the public&rsquo;s right to information&rdquo;.

&ldquo;The embassy of Denmark in Myanmar strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to drop all charges against Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and to release them immediately,&rdquo; the embassy said before the hearing.

The two reporters, accused of possessing secret government papers, were arrested in December

Two Reuters reporters appeared in a Myanmar court for the 11th time on Wednesday, which marked 100 days since they were arrested in December and accused of possessing secret government papers. A Yangon court is holding preliminary hearings to decide whether reporters Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, will face charges under the colonial-era Officials Secrets Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. “They have been detained in Myanmar since December 12 simply for doing their jobs as journalists,” Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief Stephen J Adler said in a statement. “Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are exemplary individuals and outstanding reporters who are dedicated to their families and their craft. They should be in the newsroom, not in prison. We call on the authorities in Myanmar to release them as soon as possible and allow them to return to their families and their jobs.” Government spokespeople have declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing court proceedings. The journalists have told relatives they were arrested almost immediately after being handed some rolled up papers after being invited to a restaurant by two officers they had not met before. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been investigating the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men in a village in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state during a military crackdown in August. The crackdown, which the United Nations has said was ethnic cleansing, has sent nearly 700,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh. After the arrests of the reporters, the military admitted its soldiers took part in the killing. Senior United Nations officials, western nations and press freedom advocates have called for the release of the journalists. On Wednesday, diplomats from countries including the United States, Canada, Sweden and the European Union were attending the court hearing in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon. The Danish embassy, which has closely monitored the case, said the pair had spent “100 days behind bars for ensuring the public’s right to information”. “The embassy of Denmark in Myanmar strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to drop all charges against Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and to release them immediately,” the embassy said before the hearing.

Reuters reporters in court 100 days after their arrest in Myanmar

&#39;The Assam Pension Scheme for Journalists&#39; was launched today by the state government and altogether 20 retired Assam scribes were today handed over pension authority letters under it, official sources said.

The 20 retired journalists will receive Rs 8000 per month as pension under the scheme instituted by the information and public relations department of the state government, the sources said.

Chief Minister&#39;s media advisor Hrishikesh Goswami, who handed over the pension authority letters, said the Sarbananda Sonowal government is taking up various welfare initiatives for journalists and the endeavours would continue in future too.

He referred to the poor health condition of former editor of &#39;Saptahik Janambhumi&#39; Manoram Baruah and said that the state government would take steps to provide pension or one time financial assistance to him.

Director of Information and Public Relations Rajiv Prakash Baruah highlighted various schemes being implemented by the department for welfare of journalists and sought cooperation from the fraternity in reaching the message of the welfare schemes amongst all working journalists of the state.

The retired journalists awarded the pension are Krishna Chandra Kalita, Rama Shankar Rai, Ratneswar Talukdar, Dwipen Dutta, Devendra Kumar Pandey, Goverdhan Prasad Atal, Nirupama Borah, Promod Kumar Singh, Pabitra

Gogoi, Prakash Kumar Jha, Dharani Kalita, Udayan Biswas, Bhakti Roy, Garga Ram Barman, Probodh Chandra Bordoloi, Amal Kumar Gupta, Keshab Kalita, Ajit Kumar Patowary, Geetartha Pathak and Binoy Bhushan Sen, the sources said.&nbsp;

The 20 retired journalists will receive Rs 8000 per month as pension under the scheme instituted by the information and public relations department of the state government

'The Assam Pension Scheme for Journalists' was launched today by the state government and altogether 20 retired Assam scribes were today handed over pension authority letters under it, official sources said. The 20 retired journalists will receive Rs 8000 per month as pension under the scheme instituted by the information and public relations department of the state government, the sources said. Chief Minister's media advisor Hrishikesh Goswami, who handed over the pension authority letters, said the Sarbananda Sonowal government is taking up various welfare initiatives for journalists and the endeavours would continue in future too. He referred to the poor health condition of former editor of 'Saptahik Janambhumi' Manoram Baruah and said that the state government would take steps to provide pension or one time financial assistance to him. Director of Information and Public Relations Rajiv Prakash Baruah highlighted various schemes being implemented by the department for welfare of journalists and sought cooperation from the fraternity in reaching the message of the welfare schemes amongst all working journalists of the state. The retired journalists awarded the pension are Krishna Chandra Kalita, Rama Shankar Rai, Ratneswar Talukdar, Dwipen Dutta, Devendra Kumar Pandey, Goverdhan Prasad Atal, Nirupama Borah, Promod Kumar Singh, Pabitra Gogoi, Prakash Kumar Jha, Dharani Kalita, Udayan Biswas, Bhakti Roy, Garga Ram Barman, Probodh Chandra Bordoloi, Amal Kumar Gupta, Keshab Kalita, Ajit Kumar Patowary, Geetartha Pathak and Binoy Bhushan Sen, the sources said.

Assam: 20 retired journalists to get pensions

The European Union urged Myanmar on Monday to release &quot;as quickly as possible&quot; two reporters arrested last week.

&quot;The recent arrest in Yangon of two journalists working for Reuters News Agency is a cause of real concern,&quot; a spokeswoman for the EU&#39;s foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini, said.

Journalists Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, were arrested last Tuesday evening after they were invited to dine with police officers on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar&#39;s largest city.

Little is known of the allegations against the two journalists, other than that police said they were &quot;arrested for possessing important and secret government documents related to Rakhine State and security forces.&quot;

&quot;We expect the Myanmar authorities to ensure the full protection of their rights and to release the journalists as quickly as possible,&quot; Mogherini&#39;s spokeswoman said.

&quot;Freedom of the press and media is the foundation and a cornerstone of any democracy.&quot;

The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, had expressed similar concerns on Friday at an EU summit in Brussels.

Earlier on Monday, Myanmar&#39;s civilian President Htin Kyaw authorised police to proceed with a case against the two detained reporters accused of violating the country`s colonial-era Official Secrets Act.

Mogherini&#39;s spokeswoman said the EU was aware that the arrests may be connected to the journalists&#39;&nbsp;reporting on the crackdown in Rakhine on the Rohingya

Muslim minority. The two had reported on the issue in the past.

&quot;The EU reiterates its call on the Myanmar government to ensure transparency and to make serious efforts in order to hold accountable all those involved in serious human rights abuses in the context of the ongoing crisis in Rakhine State,&quot; the spokeswoman added.

The EU has sanctions in place against Myanmar barring the sale of arms and equipment that can be used for repression. In response to the Rohingya crisis, in October it also suspended invitations to Myanmar military officers.

The EU has sanctions in place against Myanmar barring the sale of arms and equipment that can be used for repression

The European Union urged Myanmar on Monday to release "as quickly as possible" two reporters arrested last week. "The recent arrest in Yangon of two journalists working for Reuters News Agency is a cause of real concern," a spokeswoman for the EU's foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini, said. Journalists Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, were arrested last Tuesday evening after they were invited to dine with police officers on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar's largest city. Little is known of the allegations against the two journalists, other than that police said they were "arrested for possessing important and secret government documents related to Rakhine State and security forces." "We expect the Myanmar authorities to ensure the full protection of their rights and to release the journalists as quickly as possible," Mogherini's spokeswoman said. "Freedom of the press and media is the foundation and a cornerstone of any democracy." The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, had expressed similar concerns on Friday at an EU summit in Brussels. Earlier on Monday, Myanmar's civilian President Htin Kyaw authorised police to proceed with a case against the two detained reporters accused of violating the country`s colonial-era Official Secrets Act. Mogherini's spokeswoman said the EU was aware that the arrests may be connected to the journalists' reporting on the crackdown in Rakhine on the Rohingya Muslim minority. The two had reported on the issue in the past. "The EU reiterates its call on the Myanmar government to ensure transparency and to make serious efforts in order to hold accountable all those involved in serious human rights abuses in the context of the ongoing crisis in Rakhine State," the spokeswoman added. The EU has sanctions in place against Myanmar barring the sale of arms and equipment that can be used for repression. In response to the Rohingya crisis, in October it also suspended invitations to Myanmar military officers.

EU urges Myanmar to free journalists as soon as possible

Editors of Russia&#39;s opposition newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, said on Thursday they were planning to give their employees weapons training and arm them with &quot;traumatic&quot; or less lethal weapons to protect themselves against possible attacks.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The decision comes amid a spike in violence against dissenters in Russia, including this week&#39;s attack on a radio journalist who was stabbed in the neck at the offices of the liberal Echo of Moscow radio.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;If the state is not ready to protect us, we will protect ourselves,&quot; Sergei Sokolov, a deputy editor at Russia&#39;s top Opposition newspaper, told AFP.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;When journalists find themselves helpless in the face of lawlessness in the streets and indiscipline of law enforcement agencies there is no other way.&quot;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov said on Wednesday that a number of employees would undergo arms training and the newspaper would purchase traumatic weapons.&nbsp;

The use of fire arms is tightly regulated in Russia. The so-called traumatic weapons that use rubber bullets can be used for self-defence, but can also inflict lethal damage.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;I will arm the newsroom,&quot; Muratov said on Echo of Moscow Radio.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;We will also supply journalists with other security means that I don&#39;t want to talk about.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;We will conclude an official agreement with the Russian interior ministry,&quot; he added. &quot;I have no other choice.&quot;&nbsp;

Contacted by AFP, Muratov said he could not provide details of the plan over security concerns.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Our security experts have asked me to refrain from comments before we take concrete steps,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Pavel Kanygin, a Novaya Gazeta special correspondent, said he was ready to use non-lethal weapons to defend himself.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;I don&#39;t see anything bad in our situation,&quot; he told AFP in written comments, adding that potential criminals may be deterred by the knowledge that Novaya Gazeta reporters carry weapons.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;This too is defence.&quot;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
President Vladimir Putin&#39;s spokesman said today he saw no reason to provide extra security for journalists.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Unfortunately, every one of us can become a target of a madman,&quot; Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that Novaya Gazeta was free to adopt any measures as long as they were in line with existing laws.&nbsp;

Over the past two decades Novaya Gazeta has lost several journalists to contract-style killings, including investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya who was gunned down in the entrance to her Moscow apartment in 2006.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Earlier this week Tatyana Felgenhauer, a 32-year-old Echo of Moscow presener, was stabbed in the neck by a mentally unstable man.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Many commentators have blamed the authorities for fomenting hatred against dissenters and creating an atmosphere in which such attacks became possible.

'If the state is not ready to protect us, we will protect ourselves,' Sergei Sokolov, a deputy editor at Novaya Gazeta, said

Editors of Russia's opposition newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, said on Thursday they were planning to give their employees weapons training and arm them with "traumatic" or less lethal weapons to protect themselves against possible attacks. The decision comes amid a spike in violence against dissenters in Russia, including this week's attack on a radio journalist who was stabbed in the neck at the offices of the liberal Echo of Moscow radio. "If the state is not ready to protect us, we will protect ourselves," Sergei Sokolov, a deputy editor at Russia's top Opposition newspaper, told AFP. "When journalists find themselves helpless in the face of lawlessness in the streets and indiscipline of law enforcement agencies there is no other way." Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov said on Wednesday that a number of employees would undergo arms training and the newspaper would purchase traumatic weapons. The use of fire arms is tightly regulated in Russia. The so-called traumatic weapons that use rubber bullets can be used for self-defence, but can also inflict lethal damage. "I will arm the newsroom," Muratov said on Echo of Moscow Radio. "We will also supply journalists with other security means that I don't want to talk about." "We will conclude an official agreement with the Russian interior ministry," he added. "I have no other choice." Contacted by AFP, Muratov said he could not provide details of the plan over security concerns. "Our security experts have asked me to refrain from comments before we take concrete steps," he said. Pavel Kanygin, a Novaya Gazeta special correspondent, said he was ready to use non-lethal weapons to defend himself. "I don't see anything bad in our situation," he told AFP in written comments, adding that potential criminals may be deterred by the knowledge that Novaya Gazeta reporters carry weapons. "This too is defence." President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said today he saw no reason to provide extra security for journalists. "Unfortunately, every one of us can become a target of a madman," Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that Novaya Gazeta was free to adopt any measures as long as they were in line with existing laws. Over the past two decades Novaya Gazeta has lost several journalists to contract-style killings, including investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya who was gunned down in the entrance to her Moscow apartment in 2006. Earlier this week Tatyana Felgenhauer, a 32-year-old Echo of Moscow presener, was stabbed in the neck by a mentally unstable man. Many commentators have blamed the authorities for fomenting hatred against dissenters and creating an atmosphere in which such attacks became possible.

Will arm journalists, say Russian newspaper editors after Putin refuses protection

Britain&#39;s oldest media house the BBC today revealed its pay structure of top journalists and presenters as part of disclosure ordered by the government. &nbsp;

The British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) revealed huge pay disparity between male and female journalists as the national broadcaster named its highest earners for the first time.&nbsp;

BBC&#39;s Chris Evans, the radio and TV presenter who hosted Top Gear for one series, was the top earner, taking home up to 2.25 million pounds ($3.3 million) last year. Some two-thirds of the highest paid were men.

In contrast, the highest paid woman was entertainment presenter Claudia Winkleman, who earned less than half a million pounds for &quot;Strictly Come Dancing&quot; and other shows.

Salaries paid to its top journalists showed a similar disparity, with the male presenter of the main nightly news bulletin earning around 200,000 pounds a year more than his female counterpart.

The BBC is&nbsp;funded by a licence fee levied on all TV-watching households across Britain.

The BBC has revealed huge pay disparity between male and female journalists

Britain's oldest media house the BBC today revealed its pay structure of top journalists and presenters as part of disclosure ordered by the government. The British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) revealed huge pay disparity between male and female journalists as the national broadcaster named its highest earners for the first time. BBC's Chris Evans, the radio and TV presenter who hosted Top Gear for one series, was the top earner, taking home up to 2.25 million pounds ($3.3 million) last year. Some two-thirds of the highest paid were men. In contrast, the highest paid woman was entertainment presenter Claudia Winkleman, who earned less than half a million pounds for "Strictly Come Dancing" and other shows. Salaries paid to its top journalists showed a similar disparity, with the male presenter of the main nightly news bulletin earning around 200,000 pounds a year more than his female counterpart. The BBC is funded by a licence fee levied on all TV-watching households across Britain.

BBC reveals salaries of top presenters, journalists

In a shocking development from the Dominican Republic, two radio journalists were shot after gunmen opened fire during a news bulletin which was being broadcast on Facebook Live.

According to the Guardian, Lu&iacute;s Manuel Medina, the presenter of the news programme Milenio Caliente, was killed while on air on Tuesday morning, while producer and director Leo Mart&iacute;nez was shot dead in an adjacent office at the radio station FM 103.5.

Gunfire could be heard during the Facebook Live video, along with a woman yelling &quot;Shots! Shots! Shots!&quot; before the transmission abruptly cuts off.

Police said the shooting occurred in San Pedro de Macor&iacute;s. Three men have been arrested, but none have been charged, as the Police says they do not have a motive yet.&nbsp;

(ANI)&nbsp;

Two radio journalists were shot after gunmen opened fire during a news bulletin which was being broadcast on Facebook Live

In a shocking development from the Dominican Republic, two radio journalists were shot after gunmen opened fire during a news bulletin which was being broadcast on Facebook Live. According to the Guardian, Luís Manuel Medina, the presenter of the news programme Milenio Caliente, was killed while on air on Tuesday morning, while producer and director Leo Martínez was shot dead in an adjacent office at the radio station FM 103.5. Gunfire could be heard during the Facebook Live video, along with a woman yelling "Shots! Shots! Shots!" before the transmission abruptly cuts off. Police said the shooting occurred in San Pedro de Macorís. Three men have been arrested, but none have been charged, as the Police says they do not have a motive yet. (ANI)

Journalists shot dead during Facebook Live in Dominican Republic

A southern Chinese court has sentenced four people, including at least two Hong Kong journalists, to prison on charges of running an illegal business after they reportedly sent copies of their sensitive political magazines to mainland China. 
 
A court in Shenzhen said today the four received prison sentences of up to five years each. The sentencing, following the high-profile temporary disappearance of five Hong Kong booksellers, raises questions about the semi-autonomous territory&#39;s status as a free press haven for material banned on the mainland. 
 
Two of those convicted in Shenzhen included Hong Kong magazine publisher Wang Jianmin and editor Guo Zhongxiao, who were arrested in 2014 in the border city, according to Hong Kong media. 
 
The two men published New Way Monthly and Faces, two journals that often delved into high-level Communist Party power struggles. 
 
It&#39;s unclear whether the two other convicted people were Hong Kong residents or what role they played at the publications. 
 
Reports cited Wang&#39;s lawyers as saying their clients were not running a mail-order business and had sent only eight copies of the magazines to friends in China. Wang was also convicted on collusion and bribery charges. 
 
Hong Kong has served for decades, as a clearing house for information about sensitive mainland topics, and publishers once considered themselves beyond Beijing&#39;s reach. 
 
But the free-wheeling scene has been chilled by a series of run-ins with mainland authorities in the past year, including the disappearance of the booksellers from the Causeway Bay firm Mighty Current. 
 
Publishers at an annual Hong Kong book fair, the largest of its kind in Asia, said this month that printers and distributors were increasingly unwilling to handle sensitive titles for fear of political repercussions. 
 
The booksellers went missing one after the other, only to turn up months later under the control of mainland Chinese authorities. Four of the men have been released and a fifth is still detained. 
 
The Independent Commenters Association and the Hong Kong Journalists Association voiced concern in a joint statement and said Beijing has selectively targeted Wang and Guo, as well as Mighty Current and a third publisher called Morning Bell Press, to &quot;clean the origin&quot; of mainland political gossip in Hong Kong. 
 
The groups urged mainland authorities to &quot;respect the rule of law and the principal of &#39;one country two systems,&#39;&quot; the agreement that outlines the former British colony&#39;s relationship with Beijing. 
 
(PTI)

Chinese court has sentenced four people to prison on charges of running an illegal business

A southern Chinese court has sentenced four people, including at least two Hong Kong journalists, to prison on charges of running an illegal business after they reportedly sent copies of their sensitive political magazines to mainland China. A court in Shenzhen said today the four received prison sentences of up to five years each. The sentencing, following the high-profile temporary disappearance of five Hong Kong booksellers, raises questions about the semi-autonomous territory's status as a free press haven for material banned on the mainland. Two of those convicted in Shenzhen included Hong Kong magazine publisher Wang Jianmin and editor Guo Zhongxiao, who were arrested in 2014 in the border city, according to Hong Kong media. The two men published New Way Monthly and Faces, two journals that often delved into high-level Communist Party power struggles. It's unclear whether the two other convicted people were Hong Kong residents or what role they played at the publications. Reports cited Wang's lawyers as saying their clients were not running a mail-order business and had sent only eight copies of the magazines to friends in China. Wang was also convicted on collusion and bribery charges. Hong Kong has served for decades, as a clearing house for information about sensitive mainland topics, and publishers once considered themselves beyond Beijing's reach. But the free-wheeling scene has been chilled by a series of run-ins with mainland authorities in the past year, including the disappearance of the booksellers from the Causeway Bay firm Mighty Current. Publishers at an annual Hong Kong book fair, the largest of its kind in Asia, said this month that printers and distributors were increasingly unwilling to handle sensitive titles for fear of political repercussions. The booksellers went missing one after the other, only to turn up months later under the control of mainland Chinese authorities. Four of the men have been released and a fifth is still detained. The Independent Commenters Association and the Hong Kong Journalists Association voiced concern in a joint statement and said Beijing has selectively targeted Wang and Guo, as well as Mighty Current and a third publisher called Morning Bell Press, to "clean the origin" of mainland political gossip in Hong Kong. The groups urged mainland authorities to "respect the rule of law and the principal of 'one country two systems,'" the agreement that outlines the former British colony's relationship with Beijing. (PTI)

Two Hong Kong magazine executives jailed in China

US actor John Malkovich took French daily Le Monde and two of its journalists to court on Friday for defamation over a report alleging that he held a secret Swiss bank account. 
 
Dangerous Liaisons star Malkovich is suing the paper over two articles published in February about the tax evasion scheme run by British banking giant HSBC out of its Swiss affiliate. 
 
Malkovich, 62, was among several celebrities listed by Le Monde among the &quot;elite tax evaders&quot; to have had a secret Swiss account between 2005 and 2007 - a claim Malkovich has rejected. 
 
&quot;Not only did John Malkovich not defraud tax authorities&quot;, he &quot;never had an account with HSBC&quot;, Julia Minkowski, one of his lawyers, told a Paris court. 
 
The only Swiss account he ever had was a securities portfolio with a bank that was later bought by HSBC, Minkowski added. 
 
The actor had declared that account to US tax authorities before closing it on November 30, 1999, a month before the creation of HSBC&#39;s Swiss private banking arm, she said. 
 
Herve Temime, another of the actor&#39;s lawyers, said Le Monde&#39;s linking of the actor to the Swissleaks revelations was &quot;shameful&quot;, calling his client a &quot;man of great integrity&quot;. 
 
Prosecutor Annabelle Philippe rapped the two journalists who authored the report, and who were absent from the proceedings, for not having the &quot;decency to come and recognise the lack of professionalism of their investigation&quot;. 
 
Le Monde&#39;s lawyer Christophe Bigot, for his part, accused Malkovich of &quot;creating a fuss&quot; despite having had an account &quot;in a discreet little bank in a country (that was) uncooperative&quot; with other countries on tax matters. 
 
The court will rule on the case in October. 
 
(AFP)

The Hollywood actor took two journalists to court for alleging he held a secret Swiss bank account

US actor John Malkovich took French daily Le Monde and two of its journalists to court on Friday for defamation over a report alleging that he held a secret Swiss bank account. Dangerous Liaisons star Malkovich is suing the paper over two articles published in February about the tax evasion scheme run by British banking giant HSBC out of its Swiss affiliate. Malkovich, 62, was among several celebrities listed by Le Monde among the "elite tax evaders" to have had a secret Swiss account between 2005 and 2007 - a claim Malkovich has rejected. "Not only did John Malkovich not defraud tax authorities", he "never had an account with HSBC", Julia Minkowski, one of his lawyers, told a Paris court. The only Swiss account he ever had was a securities portfolio with a bank that was later bought by HSBC, Minkowski added. The actor had declared that account to US tax authorities before closing it on November 30, 1999, a month before the creation of HSBC's Swiss private banking arm, she said. Herve Temime, another of the actor's lawyers, said Le Monde's linking of the actor to the Swissleaks revelations was "shameful", calling his client a "man of great integrity". Prosecutor Annabelle Philippe rapped the two journalists who authored the report, and who were absent from the proceedings, for not having the "decency to come and recognise the lack of professionalism of their investigation". Le Monde's lawyer Christophe Bigot, for his part, accused Malkovich of "creating a fuss" despite having had an account "in a discreet little bank in a country (that was) uncooperative" with other countries on tax matters. The court will rule on the case in October. (AFP)

John Malkovich a 'man of integrity', French court told lawyer in defamation case

Dozens of Turkish demonstrators gathered in Istanbul to protest the arrests of two journalists and an academic on charges of disseminating &quot;terrorist propaganda&quot;. A fourth journalist was released after a brief detention. 
 
Yesterday, protesters chanted &quot;a free press cannot be silenced&quot; and &quot;arrests, oppression cannot intimidate us&quot;. Others held up a banner that read: &quot;Thinking cannot be jailed&quot;. 
 
The demonstration comes a day after a Turkish court ordered the pre-trial arrest of Reporters Without Borders&#39; Turkey representative Erol Onderoglu, journalist Ahmet Nesin and academic Sebnem Korur Fincanci. 
 
The three had participated in a solidarity campaign in support of Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish publication subject to multiple investigations and lawsuits. 
 
Press freedom advocates warn that freedom of expression has dramatically declined in Turkey. More than a dozen journalists are in prison, although the government insists they have been jailed for criminal activity, not journalistic work. 
 
The state-run Anadolu Agency said Onderoglu, Nesin and Fincanci had acted as chief editors for a day for the pro-Kurdish publication and issues they edited in May and June included alleged terrorist propaganda. The news agency also said the court ordered the suspects&#39; arrest on &quot;strong criminal suspicion&quot;. 
 
Reporters Without Borders condemned their arrests as &quot;an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey&quot;. Human Rights Watch slammed the &quot;spurious allegations&quot; that led to the detention of three out of 44 participants in the solidarity campaign and urged their immediate release. 
 
HRW Europe and Central Asia Director, Hugh Williamson, said the arrests showed that &quot;Turkish authorities have no hesitation about targeting well-known rights defenders and journalists who have played a key role in documenting the sharp deterioration in human rights in the country&quot;. 
 
In a separate development, a New York-based journalist who covers the United Nations for the Turkish Hurriyet daily was released Tuesday morning. Razi Canikligil was detained for almost a full day after flying into Istanbul airport with his family. 
 
&quot;They arrested me in front of my three boys,&quot; Canikligil told the AP. &quot;They were very afraid.&quot; 
 
The journalist said an arrest warrant had been issued against him over a 2014 Twitter post on a troll account, which was mistakenly attributed to him and deemed to be offensive to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 
 
No charges were pressed against Canikligil, and his passport was returned to him after a night in detention at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. 
 
&quot;Everyone was suggesting that this was government pressure to shut me down,&quot; added the journalist. &quot;We didn&#39;t know what the issue 
was.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

Reporters Without Borders calls the arrests 'an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey', which has imprisoned over a dozen journalists

Dozens of Turkish demonstrators gathered in Istanbul to protest the arrests of two journalists and an academic on charges of disseminating "terrorist propaganda". A fourth journalist was released after a brief detention. Yesterday, protesters chanted "a free press cannot be silenced" and "arrests, oppression cannot intimidate us". Others held up a banner that read: "Thinking cannot be jailed". The demonstration comes a day after a Turkish court ordered the pre-trial arrest of Reporters Without Borders' Turkey representative Erol Onderoglu, journalist Ahmet Nesin and academic Sebnem Korur Fincanci. The three had participated in a solidarity campaign in support of Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish publication subject to multiple investigations and lawsuits. Press freedom advocates warn that freedom of expression has dramatically declined in Turkey. More than a dozen journalists are in prison, although the government insists they have been jailed for criminal activity, not journalistic work. The state-run Anadolu Agency said Onderoglu, Nesin and Fincanci had acted as chief editors for a day for the pro-Kurdish publication and issues they edited in May and June included alleged terrorist propaganda. The news agency also said the court ordered the suspects' arrest on "strong criminal suspicion". Reporters Without Borders condemned their arrests as "an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey". Human Rights Watch slammed the "spurious allegations" that led to the detention of three out of 44 participants in the solidarity campaign and urged their immediate release. HRW Europe and Central Asia Director, Hugh Williamson, said the arrests showed that "Turkish authorities have no hesitation about targeting well-known rights defenders and journalists who have played a key role in documenting the sharp deterioration in human rights in the country". In a separate development, a New York-based journalist who covers the United Nations for the Turkish Hurriyet daily was released Tuesday morning. Razi Canikligil was detained for almost a full day after flying into Istanbul airport with his family. "They arrested me in front of my three boys," Canikligil told the AP. "They were very afraid." The journalist said an arrest warrant had been issued against him over a 2014 Twitter post on a troll account, which was mistakenly attributed to him and deemed to be offensive to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. No charges were pressed against Canikligil, and his passport was returned to him after a night in detention at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. "Everyone was suggesting that this was government pressure to shut me down," added the journalist. "We didn't know what the issue was." (AFP)

Turkish demonstrators protest arrest of 2 journalists and 1 academic for 'terrorist propaganda'

Almost 22 months ago, Maldivian journalist, Ahmed Rilwan, 28, disappeared in Mal?. He was last seen&nbsp;on a closed-circuit television camera while trying to buy a ferryboat ticket on his way home. His family still believes he will return one day, but his colleagues have a far more grim take on this. They believe Ahmed has been murdered.&nbsp; 
 
A police chief inspector recently confirmed that he was in fact abducted on the same night from his apartment. &nbsp; 
 
&quot;The situation is very bad. The media is under attack from all fronts,&quot; said Zaheena Rasheed, editor of the online newspaper, The Maldives Independent, where Rilwan worked as a reporter. 
 
For most travellers, Mal?, the capital city of the Maldives, is just a quick stopover on their way to dreamlike beaches and crystal blue waters. However, the dreamy landscape has a much more sinister side to it and Zaheena has good reason to be worried. &nbsp; 
 
&quot;I am very afraid. I myself have received death threats. I could disappear or I could be killed. My office has already been attacked. Other media offices have been burned to the ground,&quot; he fears are not unfounded. 
 
The streets of Mal? are home to criminal gangs involved in drug dealing, robberies and violence on commission. A survey by the Asia Foundation, based on interactions with 130 gang affiliates, reports that there are &quot;between 20 and 30 different gangs operating in Mal?, with 50 to 400 members in each group.&quot; This means that more than a thousand individuals are involved in such criminal activities in a city of 150,000. &nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
These gangs often carry out violence on behalf of political groups. The report reads: &quot;Politicians and businessmen often offer drugs and alcohol when they (the gang members) complete an illegal task (commissioned by them). Hence, there is a reciprocal relationship between gang members and politicians and businessmen.&quot; They often act in an atmosphere of impunity.&nbsp; 
 
Gang members are most likely to get away with it given the protection offered by the rich and influential. Even if some are caught they are able to get out of police stations without their crimes being brought to book. Escaping a gang is nearly impossible for a designated victim. Mal? is a small town on an island. Hiding is not really a viable option.&nbsp; 
 
It is not only about the fear of gangs. The Maldivian media is facing an increasingly difficult situation. In April, a group of journalists was arrested for a day. They were part of a protest against a draft law aiming to reintroduce defamation as a crime that was abolished seven years ago. Just a month before, the Civil Court had halted the printing of Haveeru, the oldest and most widely-circulated Maldivian newspaper. An order issued against a three-decade old ownership dispute. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
The turbulent situation took off in 2008, a turning point in the history of the archipelago. The human rights activist and environmentalist Mohamed Nasheed became the first democratically elected president of the country. His victory ended three decades of autocratic rule by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who was the longest-serving politician in South Asia. Gayoom granted economic growth to the archipelago, but democracy paid a high price. One-party elections, politicians appointed only by the president, heavy restrictions on freedom of press, religion and dissent were the norm. 
 
Nasheed&#39;s liberal agenda came as a break with the past. After decriminalising defamation, his government passed a bill to establish a Media Council &quot;to preserve the freedom of media&quot;. He allowed foreign journalists to travel freely to the country and granted greater access to the local press. Minivan News, then the only local English online newspaper, could start working in the Maldives rather than in exile in Sri Lanka. &nbsp; 
 
Young democracies, however, are often fragile, and so was Nasheed`s presidency. After less than three years, a police mutiny and weeks of protest staged by his opponents, he decided to resign &ndash; or was forced to do so &quot;at &nbsp;gunpoint&quot;. &nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
In a contested run-off, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, half-brother of the man who ruled for 30 years, became the new Maldivian President. &nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
In 2015, events abruptly turned and Nasheed&#39;s situation plummeted. Following a trial that Amnesty International called &quot;deeply flawed and politically motivated&quot;, the former president was sentenced to 13 years for terrorism. He was accused of arbitrarily removing the criminal court chief judge during his presidency. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Some Maldivians did not accept the verdict in silence and took to the streets in Mal?. The police arrested many protesters, including three reporters, who were covering the protest. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
&quot;There is a big crackdown on media freedom. It is very difficult for a person who is critical of the government to find any kind of work in the country,&quot; said Azra Naseem, a Maldivian research fellow at the Institute for International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction in Dublin City University. &quot;If you are not with the government there is no space for you in the Maldives.&quot; 
 
Former president Nasheed is currently in London. 
 
He was authorised to leave his prison cell for a delicate surgery on the condition that he would return to jail once the treatment was done. However, that may not happen now. The British government has granted former president Nasheed political refugee status. A news welcomed by the media community and sections of Maldivian citizens who are not keen to toe the totalitarian line. 
 
&quot;Maldivians want to see better days. I am not alone and this is my home. I grew up in a dictatorship and I don&#39;t want to see my country regress into fear. I want to see a freer and more equal Maldives,&quot; Zaheena Rasheed said.

Journalists arrested, a former president on the run, criminal gangs, political unrest, radical Islamists and more...

Almost 22 months ago, Maldivian journalist, Ahmed Rilwan, 28, disappeared in Mal?. He was last seen on a closed-circuit television camera while trying to buy a ferryboat ticket on his way home. His family still believes he will return one day, but his colleagues have a far more grim take on this. They believe Ahmed has been murdered. A police chief inspector recently confirmed that he was in fact abducted on the same night from his apartment. "The situation is very bad. The media is under attack from all fronts," said Zaheena Rasheed, editor of the online newspaper, The Maldives Independent, where Rilwan worked as a reporter. For most travellers, Mal?, the capital city of the Maldives, is just a quick stopover on their way to dreamlike beaches and crystal blue waters. However, the dreamy landscape has a much more sinister side to it and Zaheena has good reason to be worried. "I am very afraid. I myself have received death threats. I could disappear or I could be killed. My office has already been attacked. Other media offices have been burned to the ground," he fears are not unfounded. The streets of Mal? are home to criminal gangs involved in drug dealing, robberies and violence on commission. A survey by the Asia Foundation, based on interactions with 130 gang affiliates, reports that there are "between 20 and 30 different gangs operating in Mal?, with 50 to 400 members in each group." This means that more than a thousand individuals are involved in such criminal activities in a city of 150,000. These gangs often carry out violence on behalf of political groups. The report reads: "Politicians and businessmen often offer drugs and alcohol when they (the gang members) complete an illegal task (commissioned by them). Hence, there is a reciprocal relationship between gang members and politicians and businessmen." They often act in an atmosphere of impunity. Gang members are most likely to get away with it given the protection offered by the rich and influential. Even if some are caught they are able to get out of police stations without their crimes being brought to book. Escaping a gang is nearly impossible for a designated victim. Mal? is a small town on an island. Hiding is not really a viable option. It is not only about the fear of gangs. The Maldivian media is facing an increasingly difficult situation. In April, a group of journalists was arrested for a day. They were part of a protest against a draft law aiming to reintroduce defamation as a crime that was abolished seven years ago. Just a month before, the Civil Court had halted the printing of Haveeru, the oldest and most widely-circulated Maldivian newspaper. An order issued against a three-decade old ownership dispute. The turbulent situation took off in 2008, a turning point in the history of the archipelago. The human rights activist and environmentalist Mohamed Nasheed became the first democratically elected president of the country. His victory ended three decades of autocratic rule by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who was the longest-serving politician in South Asia. Gayoom granted economic growth to the archipelago, but democracy paid a high price. One-party elections, politicians appointed only by the president, heavy restrictions on freedom of press, religion and dissent were the norm. Nasheed's liberal agenda came as a break with the past. After decriminalising defamation, his government passed a bill to establish a Media Council "to preserve the freedom of media". He allowed foreign journalists to travel freely to the country and granted greater access to the local press. Minivan News, then the only local English online newspaper, could start working in the Maldives rather than in exile in Sri Lanka. Young democracies, however, are often fragile, and so was Nasheed`s presidency. After less than three years, a police mutiny and weeks of protest staged by his opponents, he decided to resign – or was forced to do so "at gunpoint". In a contested run-off, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, half-brother of the man who ruled for 30 years, became the new Maldivian President. In 2015, events abruptly turned and Nasheed's situation plummeted. Following a trial that Amnesty International called "deeply flawed and politically motivated", the former president was sentenced to 13 years for terrorism. He was accused of arbitrarily removing the criminal court chief judge during his presidency. Some Maldivians did not accept the verdict in silence and took to the streets in Mal?. The police arrested many protesters, including three reporters, who were covering the protest. "There is a big crackdown on media freedom. It is very difficult for a person who is critical of the government to find any kind of work in the country," said Azra Naseem, a Maldivian research fellow at the Institute for International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction in Dublin City University. "If you are not with the government there is no space for you in the Maldives." Former president Nasheed is currently in London. He was authorised to leave his prison cell for a delicate surgery on the condition that he would return to jail once the treatment was done. However, that may not happen now. The British government has granted former president Nasheed political refugee status. A news welcomed by the media community and sections of Maldivian citizens who are not keen to toe the totalitarian line. "Maldivians want to see better days. I am not alone and this is my home. I grew up in a dictatorship and I don't want to see my country regress into fear. I want to see a freer and more equal Maldives," Zaheena Rasheed said.

Mal?: Political hit jobs, drugs, robberies - the grime under the sun and sand

Egypt&#39;s ousted Islamist President Mohamad Morsi was today sentenced to life imprisonment by a Cairo court in an espionage trial in which six co-defendants were handed death penalties for leaking state secrets on military intelligence to Qatar and a Doha-based TV network. 
 
The Cairo Criminal Court upheld the death sentences of the six Muslim Brotherhood members and awarded life imprisonment to two others. 
 
Life in prison in Egypt is 25 years. But Morsi, who received life in prison for leading an unlawful group, was given an additional 15 years for stealing documents related to national security, increasing his jail term to 40 years. 
 
The six co-defendants were Ahmed Abdo Ali Afifi, a documentary film producer (who is in jail), Asmaa el-Khateeb, a reporter with Rasd News Network which is widely suspected of links to Morsi&#39;s Muslim Brotherhood (sentenced in absentia). 
 
Two more included Al-Jazeera employees - news producer Alaa Omar Mohammed and news editor Ibrahim Mohammed Hilal (both sentenced in absentia). 
 
Qatar, a wealthy Gulf state, was the main backer of Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood during his term in power between 2012 and July 2013, when the military overthrew and detained him.&nbsp;Today&#39;s verdicts are not final and can be appealed. 
 
Last month, the court ordered that case documents of the six defendants, excluding Morsi, be referred to the Grand Mufti, who according to Egyptian law must review all death sentences. His decision, however, is not binding. 
 
The co-defendents have been convicted for leaking classified documents to Qatar and selling them to Doha-based Al-Jazeera channel. The documents allegedly include information on general and military intelligence, the armed forces, its armaments and state policy secrets. 
 
Other charges include leading and joining the outlawed Brotherhood, that aims at changing Egypt&#39;s regime by force, and attacking army and police posts and public properties. 
 
Muslim Brotherhood&#39;s Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie and 35 other members of the proscribed Islamist group were last month sentenced to life for committing violent acts after the ouster of country&#39;s first democratically-elected President in 2013. 
 
Badie and Morsi were also sentenced to life in prison in the espionage case. Their sentences are currently in appeal. 
 
Morsi, Badie and 100 other leaders were sentenced to death in June last year for escaping from prison in 2011. 
 
However, an Egyptian court later quashed the death sentence against Badie. Hundreds of other Muslim Brotherhood members were also sentenced for life in various cases. 
 
The Egyptian government has been cracking down on the Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters since Morsi&#39;s ouster. The Muslim Brotherhood was designated as a terrorist group in November 2013 by the government. 
(PTI)

Six other co-defendants, including three journalists, were handed death penalties for leaking military secrets to Qatar

Egypt's ousted Islamist President Mohamad Morsi was today sentenced to life imprisonment by a Cairo court in an espionage trial in which six co-defendants were handed death penalties for leaking state secrets on military intelligence to Qatar and a Doha-based TV network. The Cairo Criminal Court upheld the death sentences of the six Muslim Brotherhood members and awarded life imprisonment to two others. Life in prison in Egypt is 25 years. But Morsi, who received life in prison for leading an unlawful group, was given an additional 15 years for stealing documents related to national security, increasing his jail term to 40 years. The six co-defendants were Ahmed Abdo Ali Afifi, a documentary film producer (who is in jail), Asmaa el-Khateeb, a reporter with Rasd News Network which is widely suspected of links to Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood (sentenced in absentia). Two more included Al-Jazeera employees - news producer Alaa Omar Mohammed and news editor Ibrahim Mohammed Hilal (both sentenced in absentia). Qatar, a wealthy Gulf state, was the main backer of Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood during his term in power between 2012 and July 2013, when the military overthrew and detained him. Today's verdicts are not final and can be appealed. Last month, the court ordered that case documents of the six defendants, excluding Morsi, be referred to the Grand Mufti, who according to Egyptian law must review all death sentences. His decision, however, is not binding. The co-defendents have been convicted for leaking classified documents to Qatar and selling them to Doha-based Al-Jazeera channel. The documents allegedly include information on general and military intelligence, the armed forces, its armaments and state policy secrets. Other charges include leading and joining the outlawed Brotherhood, that aims at changing Egypt's regime by force, and attacking army and police posts and public properties. Muslim Brotherhood's Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie and 35 other members of the proscribed Islamist group were last month sentenced to life for committing violent acts after the ouster of country's first democratically-elected President in 2013. Badie and Morsi were also sentenced to life in prison in the espionage case. Their sentences are currently in appeal. Morsi, Badie and 100 other leaders were sentenced to death in June last year for escaping from prison in 2011. However, an Egyptian court later quashed the death sentence against Badie. Hundreds of other Muslim Brotherhood members were also sentenced for life in various cases. The Egyptian government has been cracking down on the Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters since Morsi's ouster. The Muslim Brotherhood was designated as a terrorist group in November 2013 by the government. (PTI)

Egypt's ousted Islamist President Morsi sentenced to life in jail, plus 15 years

Last&nbsp;year &ndash; 2015 &ndash; was the worst year ever to be a journalist in South Asia.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Reporters are routinely threatened, attacked, jailed, and murdered every year in the region according to a new Reporters Without Borders report.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Working with the constant fear of being killed or hurt is no easy task. The feeling that something bad could happen at any time&nbsp;affects every aspect of your life. And you suddenly start feeling unsafe everywhere&nbsp;and all the time.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the World Press Freedom Index 2016,&nbsp;there has been a &ldquo;deep and disturbing&rdquo; decline in media freedom around the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The news from South Asia is particularly bad. &ldquo;The media freedom situation worsened significantly or stagnated&rdquo; in the region the report says.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Maldives came in at 112 out of 180 countries on the index. It turns out the country is not just an earthly paradise of palms and coral. Radical Islam has been gaining in strength in the archipelago; freedom of the press has been one of its victims.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Communication Authority of the Maldives&nbsp;which controls all communication in the country,&nbsp;including the media,&nbsp;launched the first attack on the press in 2011 by shutting down journalist Ismail&nbsp;Khilath&nbsp;Rasheed&#39;s blog accusing him of producing anti-Islamic material.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rasheed fought back&nbsp;by&nbsp;organising&nbsp;a small rally in the capital&nbsp;Mal?&nbsp;in support of the freedom of expression. He was attacked by a group of men armed with stones.&nbsp;They ended up fracturing his skull. A year later, while he was walking near his home, a man tried to slit his throat. Fortunately, the attacker missed a vital artery and Rasheed survived,&nbsp;but his attacker remains unidentified and at large.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The situation has not improved since. This April, the Maldivian police attacked a rally&#39;s participants demanding greater press freedom. Sixteen journalists were arrested.&nbsp;Four other reporters covering demonstrations against the imprisonment of former&nbsp;president&nbsp;Mohamed&nbsp;Nasheed&nbsp;were imprisoned.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There was good news,&nbsp;at least on paper,&nbsp;from Sri Lanka. The country moved 24 positions up the rankings as compared to 2014. Newly-elected President&nbsp;Maithripala&nbsp;Sirisena&#39;s government seems to be better for journalists. It lifted restrictions on foreign journalists visiting the country &ndash; they are now free to move about and no longer have to get their visas cleared by the&nbsp;defence&nbsp;ministry. And all exiled journalists have been invited to return to the country.&nbsp;

During the 10 years that Mahinda Rajapaksa was president, reporters allegedly received constant threats,&nbsp;and as many as 34 lost their lives. The murder of&nbsp;Lasantha&nbsp;Manilal&nbsp;Wickrematunge, founder of the newspaper The&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;Leader, remains unsolved. In 2009, while he was driving to office, armed motorcyclists flanked his car and shot him. The Sirisena government has now decided to reopen the case and, interestingly, his brother has been appointed Sri Lanka&#39;s consul general in Sidney.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pakistan remains the most dangerous place to work. Journalists in the country are faced with threats from all fronts &ndash; extremist groups,&nbsp;hardline&nbsp;Islamist&nbsp;organisations&nbsp;and government institutions. The resulting atmosphere of fear often leads to high levels of self-censorship.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bangladesh,&nbsp;too,&nbsp;has become increasingly deadly for journalists. Several bloggers critical of Islamist extremists have recently been hacked to death; fundamentalist groups claimed responsibility for a number of the killings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

India is also surprisingly bad for reporters. Despite a lively media scene, the world&#39;s largest democracy does not seem to be a good place for a free press. India ranked 133rd on the World Press Freedom Index.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It is also among the top 15 countries in which a reporter is most likely to face abuse&nbsp;and even Afghanistan fares better. The report states: &ldquo;The governments of India&hellip; took little action in response to violence against media personnel and were sometimes directly involved in violations of their freedom.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The report&#39;s findings are not just bad news for journalists, they&nbsp;are bad news for everybody.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Journalists&nbsp;can end up self-censoring if they&nbsp;find&nbsp;themselves threatened. That is perhaps the most dangerous threat to journalism.&nbsp; A journalist must question, verify versions, and find discrepancies. And if he does his job honestly and professionally&nbsp;it should be made public. Sometimes&nbsp;this means exposing influential people. A reporter who fears for his or her life might decide to look away, to pretend something just did&nbsp;not happen. That is exactly what ruins a good investigation. Fortunately, some journalists have been brave enough to continue reporting despite having&nbsp;been&nbsp;badly&nbsp;threatened,&nbsp;but this cannot&nbsp;and should not&nbsp;be the norm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Media is useful to society so long as it is independent and safe -- rights that any democratic government should protect.&nbsp;Media&nbsp;needs to be free to do its job without fear&nbsp;and&nbsp;to be effective.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Journalists in India more likely to face abuse than those in Afghanistan: Reporters Without Borders

Last year – 2015 – was the worst year ever to be a journalist in South Asia. Reporters are routinely threatened, attacked, jailed, and murdered every year in the region according to a new Reporters Without Borders report. Working with the constant fear of being killed or hurt is no easy task. The feeling that something bad could happen at any time affects every aspect of your life. And you suddenly start feeling unsafe everywhere and all the time. According to the World Press Freedom Index 2016, there has been a “deep and disturbing” decline in media freedom around the world. The news from South Asia is particularly bad. “The media freedom situation worsened significantly or stagnated” in the region the report says. The Maldives came in at 112 out of 180 countries on the index. It turns out the country is not just an earthly paradise of palms and coral. Radical Islam has been gaining in strength in the archipelago; freedom of the press has been one of its victims. The Communication Authority of the Maldives which controls all communication in the country, including the media, launched the first attack on the press in 2011 by shutting down journalist Ismail Khilath Rasheed's blog accusing him of producing anti-Islamic material. Rasheed fought back by organising a small rally in the capital Mal? in support of the freedom of expression. He was attacked by a group of men armed with stones. They ended up fracturing his skull. A year later, while he was walking near his home, a man tried to slit his throat. Fortunately, the attacker missed a vital artery and Rasheed survived, but his attacker remains unidentified and at large. The situation has not improved since. This April, the Maldivian police attacked a rally's participants demanding greater press freedom. Sixteen journalists were arrested. Four other reporters covering demonstrations against the imprisonment of former president Mohamed Nasheed were imprisoned. There was good news, at least on paper, from Sri Lanka. The country moved 24 positions up the rankings as compared to 2014. Newly-elected President Maithripala Sirisena's government seems to be better for journalists. It lifted restrictions on foreign journalists visiting the country – they are now free to move about and no longer have to get their visas cleared by the defence ministry. And all exiled journalists have been invited to return to the country. During the 10 years that Mahinda Rajapaksa was president, reporters allegedly received constant threats, and as many as 34 lost their lives. The murder of Lasantha Manilal Wickrematunge, founder of the newspaper The Sunday Leader, remains unsolved. In 2009, while he was driving to office, armed motorcyclists flanked his car and shot him. The Sirisena government has now decided to reopen the case and, interestingly, his brother has been appointed Sri Lanka's consul general in Sidney. Pakistan remains the most dangerous place to work. Journalists in the country are faced with threats from all fronts – extremist groups, hardline Islamist organisations and government institutions. The resulting atmosphere of fear often leads to high levels of self-censorship. Bangladesh, too, has become increasingly deadly for journalists. Several bloggers critical of Islamist extremists have recently been hacked to death; fundamentalist groups claimed responsibility for a number of the killings. India is also surprisingly bad for reporters. Despite a lively media scene, the world's largest democracy does not seem to be a good place for a free press. India ranked 133rd on the World Press Freedom Index. It is also among the top 15 countries in which a reporter is most likely to face abuse and even Afghanistan fares better. The report states: “The governments of India… took little action in response to violence against media personnel and were sometimes directly involved in violations of their freedom.” The report's findings are not just bad news for journalists, they are bad news for everybody. Journalists can end up self-censoring if they find themselves threatened. That is perhaps the most dangerous threat to journalism. A journalist must question, verify versions, and find discrepancies. And if he does his job honestly and professionally it should be made public. Sometimes this means exposing influential people. A reporter who fears for his or her life might decide to look away, to pretend something just did not happen. That is exactly what ruins a good investigation. Fortunately, some journalists have been brave enough to continue reporting despite having been badly threatened, but this cannot and should not be the norm. Media is useful to society so long as it is independent and safe -- rights that any democratic government should protect. Media needs to be free to do its job without fear and to be effective.

2015 worst year for press freedom in South Asia

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