Russian lawmakers moved Friday to impose harsh&nbsp;jail&nbsp;terms for publishing "fake&nbsp;news" about the&nbsp;army, which a senior lawmaker said will apply to foreigners too, as Moscow moves to muffle dissent over its&nbsp;invasion of Ukraine.

The new legislation sets out&nbsp;jail&nbsp;terms of varying lengths and fines against people who publish "knowingly false information" about the military.

"If the fakes led to serious consequences, (the legislation) threatens imprisonment of up to 15 years," the lower house of parliament said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-stage-public-executions-in-ukraine-crackdowns-and-detaining-opponents-also-a-part-of-plan-458907">Russia to stage public executions in Ukraine; crackdowns and detaining opponents also a part of plan</a>

Speaking at the session, the head of the head of the parliament's information committee Alexander Khinshtein said the law "concerns all citizens, not only Russian ones, because we are talking about actions against&nbsp;Russia."

Amendments were also passed to fine or&nbsp;jail&nbsp;&nbsp;people calling for sanctions against&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;with&nbsp;jail&nbsp;terms.

The past year has seen an unprecedented crackdown on independent and critical voices in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;that has intensified since the invasion.

The chairman of parliament Vyacheslav Volodin railed against foreign social&nbsp;media&nbsp;after Facebook was briefly inaccessible in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;on Friday.

"All these IT companies beginning with Instagram, and ending with the others, are based in the United States of America. It is clear they are used as weapons. They carry hatred and lies. We need to oppose this," he said.&nbsp;

Russia's&nbsp;media&nbsp;watchdog said Friday it had&nbsp;restricted access to the BBC and other independent&nbsp;media&nbsp;websites, further tightening controls over the internet.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-to-sell-nfts-to-fund-attack-against-russia-says-deputy-pm-mykhailo-fedorov-458903">Ukraine to sell NFTs to fund attack against Russia, says Deputy PM Mykhailo Fedorov</a>

Foreign&nbsp;media&nbsp;restricted

The independent&nbsp;news&nbsp;website Meduza, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, and the Russian-language website of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Svoboda, were "limited," said Roskomnadzor, following a request from prosecutors.

Roskomnadzor said in each case, the request was filed on February 24, the day Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his attack on Ukraine.

Valery Fadeyev, the head of the Kremlin's human rights council accused Western&nbsp;media&nbsp;of being behind "a huge flow of false information that comes from Ukraine" and said&nbsp;the council had set up a project to stop it.

In another attack on critical voices, Russian police on Friday were carrying out searches at the office of the country's most prominent rights group, Memorial, which was ordered to close late last year, sparking international outcry.

Russia's invasion has already claimed hundreds of lives, displaced more than a million people and spurred allegations of war crimes.

Western-led sanctions levelled against&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in retaliation have sent the ruble into free-fall forcing the central bank to impose a 30-percent tax on sales of hard currency after a run on lenders.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-crisishungary-pm-orban-calls-sanctions-double-edged-weapon-458898">Russia-Ukraine Crisis:Hungary PM Orban calls sanctions 'double-edged weapon'</a>

State-media&nbsp;narratives

Moscow has few economic tools with which to respond but the Duma, or lower house, on Friday adopted a bill that would freeze any assets inside&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;of foreigners "violating rights of Russians".

Russian&nbsp;media&nbsp;have been instructed to publish only information provided by official sources, which describe the invasion as a military operation.&nbsp;

State-controlled broadcasters have meanwhile reinforced government narratives about nationalism in Ukraine and Moscow's claim that Ukrainian soldiers are using civilians as human shields.

For the moment, it appears the invasion has marked the beginning of the end for what remains of&nbsp;Russia's independent&nbsp;media.

Ekho Mosvky -- a liberal-leaning radio station majority-owned by&nbsp;Russia's energy giant Gazprom -- said Thursday it would shut down after being taken off air over its Ukraine war coverage.

Authorities had on Monday blocked the Ekho website and took the station off air as punishment for spreading "deliberately false information" about the conflict.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Why Asia is not interested in Russia-Ukraine war

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-asia-is-not-interested-in-russia-ukraine-war-458716/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Another independent outlet, Znak, said Friday it was ceasing work "due to the large number of restrictions that have recently appeared for the work of the&nbsp;media&nbsp;in&nbsp;Russia".

The BBC said this week that the audience of its Russian language&nbsp;news&nbsp;website had "more than tripled...with a record reach of 10.7 million people in the last week".

In a Friday response to the blocking, a BBC spokesperson said the company will "continue our efforts to make BBC&nbsp;News&nbsp;available in&nbsp;Russia, and across the rest of the world" despite the restrictions.&nbsp;

Russian lawmakers moved Friday to impose harsh jail terms for publishing "fake news" about the army, which a senior lawmaker said will apply to foreigners too, as Moscow moves to muffle dissent over its invasion of Ukraine.

Russian lawmakers moved Friday to impose harsh jail terms for publishing "fake news" about the army, which a senior lawmaker said will apply to foreigners too, as Moscow moves to muffle dissent over its invasion of Ukraine. The new legislation sets out jail terms of varying lengths and fines against people who publish "knowingly false information" about the military. "If the fakes led to serious consequences, (the legislation) threatens imprisonment of up to 15 years," the lower house of parliament said in a statement. Also read | Russia to stage public executions in Ukraine; crackdowns and detaining opponents also a part of plan Speaking at the session, the head of the head of the parliament's information committee Alexander Khinshtein said the law "concerns all citizens, not only Russian ones, because we are talking about actions against Russia." Amendments were also passed to fine or jail people calling for sanctions against Russia with jail terms. The past year has seen an unprecedented crackdown on independent and critical voices in Russia that has intensified since the invasion. The chairman of parliament Vyacheslav Volodin railed against foreign social media after Facebook was briefly inaccessible in Russia on Friday. "All these IT companies beginning with Instagram, and ending with the others, are based in the United States of America. It is clear they are used as weapons. They carry hatred and lies. We need to oppose this," he said. Russia's media watchdog said Friday it had restricted access to the BBC and other independent media websites, further tightening controls over the internet. Also read | Ukraine to sell NFTs to fund attack against Russia, says Deputy PM Mykhailo Fedorov Foreign media restricted The independent news website Meduza, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, and the Russian-language website of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Svoboda, were "limited," said Roskomnadzor, following a request from prosecutors. Roskomnadzor said in each case, the request was filed on February 24, the day Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his attack on Ukraine. Valery Fadeyev, the head of the Kremlin's human rights council accused Western media of being behind "a huge flow of false information that comes from Ukraine" and said the council had set up a project to stop it. In another attack on critical voices, Russian police on Friday were carrying out searches at the office of the country's most prominent rights group, Memorial, which was ordered to close late last year, sparking international outcry. Russia's invasion has already claimed hundreds of lives, displaced more than a million people and spurred allegations of war crimes. Western-led sanctions levelled against Russia in retaliation have sent the ruble into free-fall forcing the central bank to impose a 30-percent tax on sales of hard currency after a run on lenders. Also read | Russia-Ukraine Crisis:Hungary PM Orban calls sanctions 'double-edged weapon' State-media narratives Moscow has few economic tools with which to respond but the Duma, or lower house, on Friday adopted a bill that would freeze any assets inside Russia of foreigners "violating rights of Russians". Russian media have been instructed to publish only information provided by official sources, which describe the invasion as a military operation. State-controlled broadcasters have meanwhile reinforced government narratives about nationalism in Ukraine and Moscow's claim that Ukrainian soldiers are using civilians as human shields. For the moment, it appears the invasion has marked the beginning of the end for what remains of Russia's independent media. Ekho Mosvky -- a liberal-leaning radio station majority-owned by Russia's energy giant Gazprom -- said Thursday it would shut down after being taken off air over its Ukraine war coverage. Authorities had on Monday blocked the Ekho website and took the station off air as punishment for spreading "deliberately false information" about the conflict. Watch | Gravitas: Why Asia is not interested in Russia-Ukraine war Another independent outlet, Znak, said Friday it was ceasing work "due to the large number of restrictions that have recently appeared for the work of the media in Russia". The BBC said this week that the audience of its Russian language news website had "more than tripled...with a record reach of 10.7 million people in the last week". In a Friday response to the blocking, a BBC spokesperson said the company will "continue our efforts to make BBC News available in Russia, and across the rest of the world" despite the restrictions.

Russia Ukraine Crisis: Russia backs jail time for 'fake' army news, restricts media

Russian-British media tycoon Evgeny Lebedev has pleaded with Russian President Vladimir Putin to "stop" the "war" through his prominent media publication. Lebedev is the son of Alexander Lebedev, a former KGB spy. Through his newspaper, Lebedev has called on Putin to use path of peace negotiations to stop Ukraine conflict and resolve differences.

"As Europe stands on the brink of another world war, and the world on the brink of a possible nuclear disaster, I plead with you to use today’s negotiations to bring this terrible conflict in Ukraine to an end," Lebedev wrote.

"As a Russian citizen I plead with you to stop Russians killing their Ukrainian brothers and sisters. As a British citizen I ask you to save Europe from war."

Lebedev was made a lifelong member of Britain's upper house of parliament in July 2020 with the title Baron Lebedev of Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and of Siberia in the Russian Federation

He also owns the Independent daily online British newspaper.

Lebedev's father once worked as a spy at the Soviet embassy in London but then built a fortune by trading securities in the chaos that followed the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian-British media tycoon Evgeny Lebedev has pleaded with Russian President Vladimir Putin to "stop" the "war" through his prominent media publication. Lebedev is the son of Alexander Lebedev, a former KGB spy.

Russian-British media tycoon Evgeny Lebedev has pleaded with Russian President Vladimir Putin to "stop" the "war" through his prominent media publication. Lebedev is the son of Alexander Lebedev, a former KGB spy. Through his newspaper, Lebedev has called on Putin to use path of peace negotiations to stop Ukraine conflict and resolve differences. "As Europe stands on the brink of another world war, and the world on the brink of a possible nuclear disaster, I plead with you to use today’s negotiations to bring this terrible conflict in Ukraine to an end," Lebedev wrote. "As a Russian citizen I plead with you to stop Russians killing their Ukrainian brothers and sisters. As a British citizen I ask you to save Europe from war." Lebedev was made a lifelong member of Britain's upper house of parliament in July 2020 with the title Baron Lebedev of Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and of Siberia in the Russian Federation He also owns the Independent daily online British newspaper. Lebedev's father once worked as a spy at the Soviet embassy in London but then built a fortune by trading securities in the chaos that followed the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine conflict: Russian-British media boss requests Putin to 'stop' the 'war'

Pakistan PM Imran Khan has made headlines again. This time for the wrong reasons. &nbsp;&nbsp;

After looking to bring amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act&nbsp;(PECA), 2016 and the Election Act, 2017 recently, his government has attracted criticism from various corners of the country. &nbsp;

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz hit out at the government on Sunday over the attempt by saying that they are meant to silence the media and the Opposition. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trade-with-india-need-of-the-hour-will-benefit-both-nations-says-pak-pms-adviser-on-commerce-454966">Trade with India need of the hour, will benefit both nations: Pak PM’s adviser</a>

In Urdu, Nawaz said on Twitter that the laws, which the PTI-led government is passing, will be used against the PM and company in future. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"However, these laws will ultimately be used against Imran and company. Don't say that you hadn't been warned," she said. &nbsp;

Not just this, Pakistan media bodies have also rejected the amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). It has said that it is a move to undermine the freedom of the press, speech and defiant voices in the country, reported local media. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-to-visit-russia-on-february-23-24-454905" hreflang="en">Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Russia on February 23-24</a>

The media Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) has rejected the draconian amendments to the PECA, reported News International. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"All media bodies would take any and all legal actions to challenge the attempt to curb media's independence and its right to raise voice against any steps to curb freedom of expression as guaranteed in the Constitution," the newspaper reported quoting JAC statement, which was issued on Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Pakistan PM Imran Khan has made headlines again. This time for the wrong reasons. After looking to bring amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 and the Election Act, 2017 recently, his government has attracted criticism from various corners of the country.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan has made headlines again. This time for the wrong reasons. After looking to bring amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 and the Election Act, 2017 recently, his government has attracted criticism from various corners of the country. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz hit out at the government on Sunday over the attempt by saying that they are meant to silence the media and the Opposition. Also Read: Trade with India need of the hour, will benefit both nations: Pak PM’s adviser In Urdu, Nawaz said on Twitter that the laws, which the PTI-led government is passing, will be used against the PM and company in future. "However, these laws will ultimately be used against Imran and company. Don't say that you hadn't been warned," she said. Not just this, Pakistan media bodies have also rejected the amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). It has said that it is a move to undermine the freedom of the press, speech and defiant voices in the country, reported local media. Also Read: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Russia on February 23-24 The media Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) has rejected the draconian amendments to the PECA, reported News International. "All media bodies would take any and all legal actions to challenge the attempt to curb media's independence and its right to raise voice against any steps to curb freedom of expression as guaranteed in the Constitution," the newspaper reported quoting JAC statement, which was issued on Sunday. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan PM Imran Khan faces flak over new laws 'to silence media, Opposition'

Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's car was targeted by gunfire overnight, local media reported, without specifying whether he had been inside.

The reports were not confirmed by officials.

The prime minister's social media feeds had published nothing on the subject, and spokesman Mohamed Hamouda did not respond to several attempts by AFP to contact him.

A police official told AFP on condition of anonymity that security services had received "no indication of gunfire in Tripoli".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ultimatums-threats-from-west-on-ukraine-wont-work-against-russia-says-foreign-minister-452104">Ultimatums, threats from West on Ukraine won’t work against Russia, says foreign minister</a>

The news came as the wartorn country's parliament, based in eastern Libya hundreds of miles (kilometres) from the capital, prepared to vote on a replacement for Dbeibah.

The premier, who had a mandate to lead the country to elections set for December last year but which were ultimately abandoned, has said he will only cede power to an elected government.

Hours before the reported shooting, Dbeibah had met dozens of supporters who had gathered at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli to protest against the parliament's attempts to remove him.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-jewish-hate-incidents-hit-new-record-high-in-uk-report-452103">Anti-jewish hate incidents hit new record high in UK: Report</a>

Libya has been torn apart by regional, tribal and ideological divisions since the 2011 revolt that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi.&nbsp;

A landmark ceasefire in late 2020 had cleared the way for&nbsp;United&nbsp;Nations-led efforts to bring an end to a decade of violence.

Dbeibah's unity government took office in early 2021 but when December 24 elections were cancelled amid deep divisions over their legal basis and several controversial candidates, his rivals charged that his mandate had ended.

The push to remove him has triggered fears of a return to east-west divisions and parallel governments.&nbsp;

Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's car was targeted by gunfire overnight, local media reported, without specifying whether he had been inside. The reports were not confirmed by officials.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's car was targeted by gunfire overnight, local media reported, without specifying whether he had been inside. The reports were not confirmed by officials. The prime minister's social media feeds had published nothing on the subject, and spokesman Mohamed Hamouda did not respond to several attempts by AFP to contact him. A police official told AFP on condition of anonymity that security services had received "no indication of gunfire in Tripoli". Also read | Ultimatums, threats from West on Ukraine won’t work against Russia, says foreign minister The news came as the wartorn country's parliament, based in eastern Libya hundreds of miles (kilometres) from the capital, prepared to vote on a replacement for Dbeibah. The premier, who had a mandate to lead the country to elections set for December last year but which were ultimately abandoned, has said he will only cede power to an elected government. Hours before the reported shooting, Dbeibah had met dozens of supporters who had gathered at Martyrs' Square in Tripoli to protest against the parliament's attempts to remove him. Also read | Anti-jewish hate incidents hit new record high in UK: Report Libya has been torn apart by regional, tribal and ideological divisions since the 2011 revolt that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi. A landmark ceasefire in late 2020 had cleared the way for United Nations-led efforts to bring an end to a decade of violence. Dbeibah's unity government took office in early 2021 but when December 24 elections were cancelled amid deep divisions over their legal basis and several controversial candidates, his rivals charged that his mandate had ended. The push to remove him has triggered fears of a return to east-west divisions and parallel governments.

Libya media report shooting targeting PM's car

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Turkish media of action if content damaging Turkey's core values was disseminated. This is being viewed as a prelude to media censorship.

In a notice published in the Official Gazette, he said measures were needed to protect Turkey's "national culture" and prevent its children's development "from being adversely affected as a result of exposure to harmful content on all written, verbal and visual media."

Erdogan did not specify what such content was, but said legal action would be taken against "overt or covert activities through the media aimed at undermining our national and moral values ​​and disrupting our family and social structure."

Erdogan, in power for 20 years, has often lashed out at media content that is deemed to be out of step with conservative Islamic values espoused by his AK Party.

Turkey has in recent years also moved to increase media oversight, with around 90% of major media now owned by the state or close to the government.

Its western allies and critics have said Erdogan has been using a 2016 failed coup attempt to muzzle dissent and erode social rights and tolerance.

The government has denied this, saying the measures are necessary due to the gravity of the threats Turkey faces and that freedom of religious expression has been restored in a once strongly secular republic.

The RTUK radio and television watchdog has sweeping oversight over all online content, which it also has the power to remove.

It has fined TV stations over footage it says violates Turkish values, such as music videos it has labelled "erotic", LGBTQ references or content it deems to have insulted the president.

Tens of thousands have been prosecuted under the latter law including Sedef Kabas, a well-known journalist jailed last week pending trial after posting a proverb about Erdogan's palace on her Twitter account and repeating it on opposition television channel.

(With inputs from agencies)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Turkish media of action if content damaging Turkey's core values was disseminated. This is being viewed as a prelude to media censorship.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Turkish media of action if content damaging Turkey's core values was disseminated. This is being viewed as a prelude to media censorship. In a notice published in the Official Gazette, he said measures were needed to protect Turkey's "national culture" and prevent its children's development "from being adversely affected as a result of exposure to harmful content on all written, verbal and visual media." Erdogan did not specify what such content was, but said legal action would be taken against "overt or covert activities through the media aimed at undermining our national and moral values and disrupting our family and social structure." Erdogan, in power for 20 years, has often lashed out at media content that is deemed to be out of step with conservative Islamic values espoused by his AK Party. Turkey has in recent years also moved to increase media oversight, with around 90% of major media now owned by the state or close to the government. Its western allies and critics have said Erdogan has been using a 2016 failed coup attempt to muzzle dissent and erode social rights and tolerance. The government has denied this, saying the measures are necessary due to the gravity of the threats Turkey faces and that freedom of religious expression has been restored in a once strongly secular republic. The RTUK radio and television watchdog has sweeping oversight over all online content, which it also has the power to remove. It has fined TV stations over footage it says violates Turkish values, such as music videos it has labelled "erotic", LGBTQ references or content it deems to have insulted the president. Tens of thousands have been prosecuted under the latter law including Sedef Kabas, a well-known journalist jailed last week pending trial after posting a proverb about Erdogan's palace on her Twitter account and repeating it on opposition television channel. (With inputs from agencies)

Erdogan warns media of action over 'harmful' content

After the head of Instagram was grilled for compromising children safety on social media, Instagram plans an updated version of the app that shows users chronological feed instead of an algorithm-based one.

New version of the Instagram app to show users chronological feed instead of an Algorithm-based one

After more than three weeks of no internet, authorities in Sudan have said that they will restore internet services gradually, reports state media. "Internet services are gradually returning through all telecommunication companies," the official news agency SUNA quoted officials as saying.

Internet services in the region have been blocked since October 25. The poverty-stricken African nation has been facing extreme chaos after the collapse of the country's government.

Earlier, a two-day civil disobedience protest was interrupted due to problematic internet services. There was less turnout in the number of participants for the protest.

Sudan is already going through a deep economic crisis with record inflation and shortages of basics. The abrupt collapse of the country's transition to democracy sparked an international outcry as US President Joe Biden called the military coup in Sudan a ''grave setback'' for the country.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-to-military-rule-sudans-security-forces-fire-tear-gas-during-anti-coup-campaign-by-teachers-427426">Also read |&nbsp;'No to military rule': Sudan's security forces fire tear gas during anti-coup campaign by teachers</a>

Meanwhile, various reports claim that 15 people were shot dead after the Sudanese Army opened fire at thousands of Sudanese who took to the streets to protest against the military’s October 25 takeover.

The protesters demanded a full handover to civilian authorities and for the leaders of the coup to be put on trial.

According to reports, security forces fired live rounds and tear gas to prevent gatherings in all three cities, and mobile phone communications were cut, witnesses said.

State television said there were injuries among protesters and police.

After more than three weeks of no internet, authorities in Sudan have said that they will restore internet services gradually, reports state media. "Internet services are gradually returning through all telecommunication companies," the official news agency SUNA quoted officials as saying.

After more than three weeks of no internet, authorities in Sudan have said that they will restore internet services gradually, reports state media. "Internet services are gradually returning through all telecommunication companies," the official news agency SUNA quoted officials as saying. Internet services in the region have been blocked since October 25. The poverty-stricken African nation has been facing extreme chaos after the collapse of the country's government. Earlier, a two-day civil disobedience protest was interrupted due to problematic internet services. There was less turnout in the number of participants for the protest. Sudan is already going through a deep economic crisis with record inflation and shortages of basics. The abrupt collapse of the country's transition to democracy sparked an international outcry as US President Joe Biden called the military coup in Sudan a ''grave setback'' for the country. Also read | 'No to military rule': Sudan's security forces fire tear gas during anti-coup campaign by teachers Meanwhile, various reports claim that 15 people were shot dead after the Sudanese Army opened fire at thousands of Sudanese who took to the streets to protest against the military’s October 25 takeover. The protesters demanded a full handover to civilian authorities and for the leaders of the coup to be put on trial. According to reports, security forces fired live rounds and tear gas to prevent gatherings in all three cities, and mobile phone communications were cut, witnesses said. State television said there were injuries among protesters and police.

Amid chaos, internet services will soon be restored in Sudan: State media

An American journalist imprisoned by Myanmar's junta since May has been hit with a second criminal charge, his lawyer told AFP on Tuesday.

Danny Fenster, managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, was detained at Yangon International Airport as he attempted to leave the country.

He is currently on trial for allegedly encouraging dissent against the military, which carries a maximum three-year jail sentence.

During the latest hearing at Insein prison in Yangon on Monday, he was hit with another charge of unlawful association, his lawyer Than Zaw Aung said.

Conviction under the colonial-era law also carries a maximum sentence of three years in jail.

It has previously been used to target journalists contacting Myanmar's myriad ethnic armed groups fighting the state for increased autonomy and control over natural resources.

Fenster's second trial is expected to start on October 15, Than Zaw Aung said.

His client was "in good health, but he lost weight a little bit", he added.

Fenster, 37, had been working for Frontier for around a year and was heading home to see his family when he was detained on May 24.

He is believed to have contracted Covid-19 during his detention, family members said during a conference call with American journalists in August.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power in a February 1 coup and ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

The press has been squeezed as the junta tries to tighten control over the flow of information, throttling internet access and revoking the licences of local media outlets.

More than 100 journalists have been arrested since the putsch, according to Reporting ASEAN, a monitoring group. &nbsp;

It says 48 are still in detention.

An American journalist imprisoned by Myanmar's junta since May has been hit with a second criminal charge, his lawyer told AFP on Tuesday. Danny Fenster, managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, was detained at Yangon International Airport as he attempted to leave the country.

An American journalist imprisoned by Myanmar's junta since May has been hit with a second criminal charge, his lawyer told AFP on Tuesday. Danny Fenster, managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, was detained at Yangon International Airport as he attempted to leave the country. He is currently on trial for allegedly encouraging dissent against the military, which carries a maximum three-year jail sentence. During the latest hearing at Insein prison in Yangon on Monday, he was hit with another charge of unlawful association, his lawyer Than Zaw Aung said. Conviction under the colonial-era law also carries a maximum sentence of three years in jail. It has previously been used to target journalists contacting Myanmar's myriad ethnic armed groups fighting the state for increased autonomy and control over natural resources. Fenster's second trial is expected to start on October 15, Than Zaw Aung said. His client was "in good health, but he lost weight a little bit", he added. Fenster, 37, had been working for Frontier for around a year and was heading home to see his family when he was detained on May 24. He is believed to have contracted Covid-19 during his detention, family members said during a conference call with American journalists in August. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power in a February 1 coup and ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. The press has been squeezed as the junta tries to tighten control over the flow of information, throttling internet access and revoking the licences of local media outlets. More than 100 journalists have been arrested since the putsch, according to Reporting ASEAN, a monitoring group. It says 48 are still in detention.

US journalist held in Myanmar hit with second charge: lawyer

The Taliban promised that media would be "free and independent," after taking control of Kabul. However, now the group has laid out the limits of that freedom.

Taliban's Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi, while meeting several Afghan media outlets in September, announced a publishing/broadcasting guide containing 11 directives. Few rules were similar to laws and editorial policies under Afghanistan's elected government.&nbsp;

There were rules that gave the Taliban wide control over the content. These include directives saying that media should coordinate with the GMIC when preparing content and report "carefully" on events not confirmed by an official.

As per watchdogs and locals journalists, these directives are a sign that the Taliban plan to censor content inside the country. 
Sadaqat Ghorzang, a TOLOnews reporter for the eastern provinces, was quoted by VOA as saying, "The new rules plainly mean censorship."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-uses-social-media-as-a-key-tool-in-their-new-form-of-governance-here-is-all-you-need-to-know-412192">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban uses social media as a key tool in their new form of governance, here is all you need to know</a>

"It does not only create problems for journalists to do their job, which is providing information to the people, but also violates freedom of expression."

A copy of the guide, which was circulated online and discussed by media watchdogs, contained 11 rules. As per rules 1-3, media and journalists are forbidden from publishing or broadcasting anything against Islam, insulting national figures, or violating privacy. Rules 4-6 instruct journalists to follow the principles of journalism and balanced news reports and to not distort content. Rules 7-8 say that matters that have not been confirmed by officials or could have a negative impact on the public's attitude should be treated with care.

As per rule 9, media outlets have to be impartial and truthful in their coverage.

Rule 10 and 11 advise journalists to coordinate with the GMIC when working on "detailed report(s) on an issue."

RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire described the guidelines as "spine chilling." They can be used coercively and "bode ill for the future of journalistic independence and pluralism in Afghanistan," he said in a statement.

The Taliban promised that media would be "free and independent," after taking control of Kabul. However, now the group has laid out the limits of that freedom. Taliban's Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi, while meeting several Afghan media outlets in September, announced a publishing/broadcasting guide containing 11 directives.

The Taliban promised that media would be "free and independent," after taking control of Kabul. However, now the group has laid out the limits of that freedom. Taliban's Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi, while meeting several Afghan media outlets in September, announced a publishing/broadcasting guide containing 11 directives. Few rules were similar to laws and editorial policies under Afghanistan's elected government. There were rules that gave the Taliban wide control over the content. These include directives saying that media should coordinate with the GMIC when preparing content and report "carefully" on events not confirmed by an official. As per watchdogs and locals journalists, these directives are a sign that the Taliban plan to censor content inside the country. Sadaqat Ghorzang, a TOLOnews reporter for the eastern provinces, was quoted by VOA as saying, "The new rules plainly mean censorship." Also read | Taliban uses social media as a key tool in their new form of governance, here is all you need to know "It does not only create problems for journalists to do their job, which is providing information to the people, but also violates freedom of expression." A copy of the guide, which was circulated online and discussed by media watchdogs, contained 11 rules. As per rules 1-3, media and journalists are forbidden from publishing or broadcasting anything against Islam, insulting national figures, or violating privacy. Rules 4-6 instruct journalists to follow the principles of journalism and balanced news reports and to not distort content. Rules 7-8 say that matters that have not been confirmed by officials or could have a negative impact on the public's attitude should be treated with care. As per rule 9, media outlets have to be impartial and truthful in their coverage. Rule 10 and 11 advise journalists to coordinate with the GMIC when working on "detailed report(s) on an issue." RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire described the guidelines as "spine chilling." They can be used coercively and "bode ill for the future of journalistic independence and pluralism in Afghanistan," he said in a statement.

Taliban issues new publishing and broadcasting directives

American digital media platform Ozy will shut down after accusations its leaders had deceived investors and the public about the size of its audience, local news outlets reported Friday.

Launched in 2013 by former cable news anchor Carlos Watson,&nbsp;the brand secured millions of dollars in investor funding and a number of high-profile partnerships, including the production of an Emmy Award-winning talk show hosted by the Oprah Winfrey Network.

But a New York Times investigation on Sunday claimed that company executives had intentionally inflated traffic figures and views on other sites including YouTube.

The report also said cofounder Samir Rao had impersonated a YouTube executive to praise his own platform while in a phone meeting with representatives of Goldman Sachs, who were weighing a $40 million investment in Ozy.&nbsp;

Watson apologised to the bank after the ruse was quickly discovered and the video sharing platform launched a security probe, the report said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-surpasses-700000-covid-deaths-as-california-schools-make-vaccines-compulsory-417519">Also read |&nbsp;US surpasses 700,000 Covid deaths as California schools make vaccines compulsory</a>

The investigation also found that Watson had falsely claimed a partnership with Amazon Prime for his eponymous talk show, launched last year, and that he had secured a broadcasting deal for the program with American cable channel A&amp;E.

Amazon Prime complained to Ozy about use of its branding in billboards promoting the show last week, prompting another apology from Watson, the report said.&nbsp;

The discrepancy between the platform's claimed audience size and its real-world profile prompted ridicule from some publications reporting on the controversy.

"Ozy Media shuts down just one week after most of us found out it exists," read a headline on the platform's closure by tech news outlet The Verge.

Ozy and Watson did not immediately respond to AFP requests for comment.

American digital media platform Ozy will shut down after accusations its leaders had deceived investors and the public about the size of its audience, local news outlets reported Friday.

American digital media platform Ozy will shut down after accusations its leaders had deceived investors and the public about the size of its audience, local news outlets reported Friday. Launched in 2013 by former cable news anchor Carlos Watson, the brand secured millions of dollars in investor funding and a number of high-profile partnerships, including the production of an Emmy Award-winning talk show hosted by the Oprah Winfrey Network. But a New York Times investigation on Sunday claimed that company executives had intentionally inflated traffic figures and views on other sites including YouTube. The report also said cofounder Samir Rao had impersonated a YouTube executive to praise his own platform while in a phone meeting with representatives of Goldman Sachs, who were weighing a $40 million investment in Ozy. Watson apologised to the bank after the ruse was quickly discovered and the video sharing platform launched a security probe, the report said. Also read | US surpasses 700,000 Covid deaths as California schools make vaccines compulsory The investigation also found that Watson had falsely claimed a partnership with Amazon Prime for his eponymous talk show, launched last year, and that he had secured a broadcasting deal for the program with American cable channel A&E. Amazon Prime complained to Ozy about use of its branding in billboards promoting the show last week, prompting another apology from Watson, the report said. The discrepancy between the platform's claimed audience size and its real-world profile prompted ridicule from some publications reporting on the controversy. "Ozy Media shuts down just one week after most of us found out it exists," read a headline on the platform's closure by tech news outlet The Verge. Ozy and Watson did not immediately respond to AFP requests for comment.

US media platform Ozy to close after accusations of deceptive conduct

Dylan Voller was already a polarising figure in Australia when the disturbing, violent and demonstrably false accusations against him began to appear on Facebook.

Voller had become famous overnight in 2016 after a television news exposé on the mistreatment of juveniles in the country’s criminal detention system broadcast a photograph of him, at age 17, hooded and strapped to a chair by guards. The image, likened by some to those of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, shocked many Australians, prompting a national investigation.

Beneath articles about the investigation written by major Australian news outlets and posted to their Facebook pages, several commenters attacked Voller. Some made false accusations, including that Voller had raped an elderly woman and attacked a Salvation Army volunteer with a fire extinguisher, blinding him.

Instead of confronting the commenters directly, Voller sued the news media outlets, arguing that they were defaming him by permitting the comments on their Facebook pages. Crucially, he didn’t ask them to pull down the comments before filing his lawsuit, essentially arguing that they should be liable for comments they might not even be aware of.

“The comments were getting shared around, and I worried that people would think they were true,” Voller said.

His victory this month before the country’s top court could be a blow to Facebook’s ability to draw eyeballs to its content. It also further muddies the waters in a global debate over who should be held liable for what is said on social media.

Voller must still prove he was defamed. But in response to the top court’s decision that the media outlets could be held liable for online comments from others, some Australian news outlets are reconsidering what kinds of content they put on Facebook, potentially limiting engagement with readers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-princess-mako-to-give-up-one-off-payment-in-controversial-marriage-media-416110">Also read |&nbsp;Japan's Princess Mako to give up one-off payment in controversial marriage: Media</a>

“We won’t post stories about politicians, Indigenous issues, court decisions, anything that we feel could get a problematic reaction from readers,” said Dave Earley, audience editor at Guardian Australia.

Facebook has added a feature that allows a page administrator to entirely turn off comments on a post. But Earley said the platform had been reluctant to offer more finely tuned options for moderation because comments drive engagement — a key to Facebook’s business model.

“It’s to their benefit for there to be comments on everything,” Earley said.

Facebook did not respond to requests for comment about Voller’s lawsuit.

For Facebook, which has long insisted that it is a neutral vessel for public discourse, the court’s ruling may offer a type of indirect amnesty. While the company may still face defamation suits in Australia, plaintiffs there will be more likely to take local people and media companies to court.

And if adopted more widely, the view endorsed by Australia’s court could stifle the sort of freewheeling discourse that often keeps users glued to social media.

The ruling extends liability for user comments to anyone with a public Facebook page, not just news outlets. For example, the administrator of a Facebook community could be sued for comments left under a post, even if the administrator was unaware of them.

The Australian ruling comes at a moment when many places around the world are grappling with how to assign accountability for what is said on social media. In the United States, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act holds that online platforms have automatic immunity from what people say in third-party comments.

The legislation, which has been called a “gift to the internet” because of its pro-speech stance, has recently come under scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum, though for opposite reasons. Democrats have argued that Section 230 should be repealed so that social media companies can be held accountable for misinformation and hate speech spreading widely on their platforms. Republicans who dislike the law say online platforms are using it to silence conservative views.

Elsewhere, in an extreme attempt to legislate against moderation, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil tried but failed to bar social media companies from removing inflammatory or misleading content, including his claims that if he loses the election next year the results will have been rigged. The British Parliament is considering a plan to give media regulators the power to force platforms to remove illegal and harmful content.

Still, the wide reach of the Australian decision makes the country an “extreme outlier,” said Daphne Keller, director of the platform regulation program at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center.

The most comparable measure, she said, was a 2015 ruling in the European Court of Human Rights that said the owner of an online forum can be liable for harmful comments left there, even before the owner realises it. But a European court a year later said the ruling applied only to hate speech, not defamation.

“The court held that a rule like this would violate internet users’ fundamental right for freedom of expression,” Keller said.

While the Australian ruling directly affects only Facebook page administrators in the country, it could have global implications. In 2002, a court ruled that an Australian citizen could sue an American media company for a defamatory article published overseas. At the time, the ruling was characterised as a “devastating blow to free speech online,” potentially obliging publishers to censor themselves. In the United States, legislation was later passed to make such a foreign defamation ruling unenforceable.

But with this new ruling, Australian residents could still go after international media companies with bureaus outside the United States for any comment ever left on their social media pages.

“The concern is that this will make Australia a magnet for international defamation disputes,” Matt Collins, an Australian lawyer and defamation expert, said.

Even before Australia’s top court backed Voller, the young man who sued the media outlets, his argument had prevailed in a lower court and had already been felt throughout the country. Last year, the owner of a community Facebook page for a wealthy suburb of Sydney shut it down after receiving the threat of a defamation suit stemming from a comment somebody had left about a rival group.

Collins worries that similar cases will be brought by those hoping to quash public discourse on certain topics.

“The best public interest journalism and commentary is often defamatory and controversial,” he said. “This decision plainly chills the freedom to discuss these matters on these online platforms.”

Voller has defended his lawsuit. Now 24, he has publicly apologised for the crimes that landed him in juvenile detention, including assault, robbery and car theft. He has cited both his time in juvenile detention and the rumors circulating about him as damaging to his mental health.

Voller, an Indigenous man who is now a youth justice campaigner, said the court’s ruling would help protect vulnerable people in his community from the type of abuse he suffered online.

“Some of the comments made me feel suicidal,” he said. “I’m doing something right if I’m making people think about how to limit this type of thing from happening to other people in the future.”

Dylan Voller was already a polarising figure in Australia when the disturbing, violent and demonstrably false accusations against him began to appear on Facebook.

Dylan Voller was already a polarising figure in Australia when the disturbing, violent and demonstrably false accusations against him began to appear on Facebook. Voller had become famous overnight in 2016 after a television news exposé on the mistreatment of juveniles in the country’s criminal detention system broadcast a photograph of him, at age 17, hooded and strapped to a chair by guards. The image, likened by some to those of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, shocked many Australians, prompting a national investigation. Beneath articles about the investigation written by major Australian news outlets and posted to their Facebook pages, several commenters attacked Voller. Some made false accusations, including that Voller had raped an elderly woman and attacked a Salvation Army volunteer with a fire extinguisher, blinding him. Instead of confronting the commenters directly, Voller sued the news media outlets, arguing that they were defaming him by permitting the comments on their Facebook pages. Crucially, he didn’t ask them to pull down the comments before filing his lawsuit, essentially arguing that they should be liable for comments they might not even be aware of. “The comments were getting shared around, and I worried that people would think they were true,” Voller said. His victory this month before the country’s top court could be a blow to Facebook’s ability to draw eyeballs to its content. It also further muddies the waters in a global debate over who should be held liable for what is said on social media. Voller must still prove he was defamed. But in response to the top court’s decision that the media outlets could be held liable for online comments from others, some Australian news outlets are reconsidering what kinds of content they put on Facebook, potentially limiting engagement with readers. Also read | Japan's Princess Mako to give up one-off payment in controversial marriage: Media “We won’t post stories about politicians, Indigenous issues, court decisions, anything that we feel could get a problematic reaction from readers,” said Dave Earley, audience editor at Guardian Australia. Facebook has added a feature that allows a page administrator to entirely turn off comments on a post. But Earley said the platform had been reluctant to offer more finely tuned options for moderation because comments drive engagement — a key to Facebook’s business model. “It’s to their benefit for there to be comments on everything,” Earley said. Facebook did not respond to requests for comment about Voller’s lawsuit. For Facebook, which has long insisted that it is a neutral vessel for public discourse, the court’s ruling may offer a type of indirect amnesty. While the company may still face defamation suits in Australia, plaintiffs there will be more likely to take local people and media companies to court. And if adopted more widely, the view endorsed by Australia’s court could stifle the sort of freewheeling discourse that often keeps users glued to social media. The ruling extends liability for user comments to anyone with a public Facebook page, not just news outlets. For example, the administrator of a Facebook community could be sued for comments left under a post, even if the administrator was unaware of them. The Australian ruling comes at a moment when many places around the world are grappling with how to assign accountability for what is said on social media. In the United States, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act holds that online platforms have automatic immunity from what people say in third-party comments. The legislation, which has been called a “gift to the internet” because of its pro-speech stance, has recently come under scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum, though for opposite reasons. Democrats have argued that Section 230 should be repealed so that social media companies can be held accountable for misinformation and hate speech spreading widely on their platforms. Republicans who dislike the law say online platforms are using it to silence conservative views. Elsewhere, in an extreme attempt to legislate against moderation, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil tried but failed to bar social media companies from removing inflammatory or misleading content, including his claims that if he loses the election next year the results will have been rigged. The British Parliament is considering a plan to give media regulators the power to force platforms to remove illegal and harmful content. Still, the wide reach of the Australian decision makes the country an “extreme outlier,” said Daphne Keller, director of the platform regulation program at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center. The most comparable measure, she said, was a 2015 ruling in the European Court of Human Rights that said the owner of an online forum can be liable for harmful comments left there, even before the owner realises it. But a European court a year later said the ruling applied only to hate speech, not defamation. “The court held that a rule like this would violate internet users’ fundamental right for freedom of expression,” Keller said. While the Australian ruling directly affects only Facebook page administrators in the country, it could have global implications. In 2002, a court ruled that an Australian citizen could sue an American media company for a defamatory article published overseas. At the time, the ruling was characterised as a “devastating blow to free speech online,” potentially obliging publishers to censor themselves. In the United States, legislation was later passed to make such a foreign defamation ruling unenforceable. But with this new ruling, Australian residents could still go after international media companies with bureaus outside the United States for any comment ever left on their social media pages. “The concern is that this will make Australia a magnet for international defamation disputes,” Matt Collins, an Australian lawyer and defamation expert, said. Even before Australia’s top court backed Voller, the young man who sued the media outlets, his argument had prevailed in a lower court and had already been felt throughout the country. Last year, the owner of a community Facebook page for a wealthy suburb of Sydney shut it down after receiving the threat of a defamation suit stemming from a comment somebody had left about a rival group. Collins worries that similar cases will be brought by those hoping to quash public discourse on certain topics. “The best public interest journalism and commentary is often defamatory and controversial,” he said. “This decision plainly chills the freedom to discuss these matters on these online platforms.” Voller has defended his lawsuit. Now 24, he has publicly apologised for the crimes that landed him in juvenile detention, including assault, robbery and car theft. He has cited both his time in juvenile detention and the rumors circulating about him as damaging to his mental health. Voller, an Indigenous man who is now a youth justice campaigner, said the court’s ruling would help protect vulnerable people in his community from the type of abuse he suffered online. “Some of the comments made me feel suicidal,” he said. “I’m doing something right if I’m making people think about how to limit this type of thing from happening to other people in the future.”

Australian media may rethink facebook presence

A Singaporean news website often critical of authorities had its licence suspended Tuesday for failing to declare funding sources, regulators said, with a rights group slamming the move as "unacceptable censorship".

Critics frequently accuse the tightly-regulated city-state of curbing media freedoms, and The Online Citizen (TOC) had long been in the government's crosshairs.

One of&nbsp;Singapore's few alternative news sources, it often ran stories more critical of the authorities than those in the pro-government mainstream media.&nbsp;

The city-state's media regulator said it had suspended the company's licence to operate its websites and social media channels as it had not fully met obligations to declare funding.&nbsp;

Sites such as TOC "are required to be transparent about their sources of funding", the Infocomm Media Development Authority said in a statement.

"This is to prevent such sites from being controlled by foreign actors, or coming under the influence of foreign entities or funding."

TOC was ordered to disable its websites and social media accounts by Thursday. If it fails to provide enough further information, then its licence to operate may be cancelled entirely, the regulator warned.&nbsp;

The site, which first registered in 2018, had not fully complied with its obligations to declare its funding since 2019, the regulator said.&nbsp;

It noted that TOC had allowed subscribers to get specific articles written in return for "subscription funding", and warned this "could be an avenue for foreign influence".

But chief editor Terry Xu told AFP that the site "has never received any foreign funding, nor would it in the future", and the company was considering its options.

Earlier this month, Xu and one TOC writer were ordered to pay substantial damages after losing a defamation suit against Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.&nbsp;

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said the licence suspension was "outrageous and unacceptable censorship, disguised as government regulatory action".

"The reality is the Singaporean government has been looking to shut down TOC by hook or by crook, because they simply don't like their independence or their critical reporting."

Singapore&nbsp;ranks 160th out of 180 countries and territories in Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index, where number one indicates the country with the greatest media freedoms.&nbsp;

A Singaporean news website often critical of authorities had its licence suspended Tuesday for failing to declare funding sources, regulators said, with a rights group slamming the move as "unacceptable censorship".

A Singaporean news website often critical of authorities had its licence suspended Tuesday for failing to declare funding sources, regulators said, with a rights group slamming the move as "unacceptable censorship". Critics frequently accuse the tightly-regulated city-state of curbing media freedoms, and The Online Citizen (TOC) had long been in the government's crosshairs. One of Singapore's few alternative news sources, it often ran stories more critical of the authorities than those in the pro-government mainstream media. The city-state's media regulator said it had suspended the company's licence to operate its websites and social media channels as it had not fully met obligations to declare funding. Sites such as TOC "are required to be transparent about their sources of funding", the Infocomm Media Development Authority said in a statement. "This is to prevent such sites from being controlled by foreign actors, or coming under the influence of foreign entities or funding." TOC was ordered to disable its websites and social media accounts by Thursday. If it fails to provide enough further information, then its licence to operate may be cancelled entirely, the regulator warned. The site, which first registered in 2018, had not fully complied with its obligations to declare its funding since 2019, the regulator said. It noted that TOC had allowed subscribers to get specific articles written in return for "subscription funding", and warned this "could be an avenue for foreign influence". But chief editor Terry Xu told AFP that the site "has never received any foreign funding, nor would it in the future", and the company was considering its options. Earlier this month, Xu and one TOC writer were ordered to pay substantial damages after losing a defamation suit against Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said the licence suspension was "outrageous and unacceptable censorship, disguised as government regulatory action". "The reality is the Singaporean government has been looking to shut down TOC by hook or by crook, because they simply don't like their independence or their critical reporting." Singapore ranks 160th out of 180 countries and territories in Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index, where number one indicates the country with the greatest media freedoms.

Singapore news site suspended, critics fear censorship

Fifteen people including a seven-year-old boy have been&nbsp;found&nbsp;inside a&nbsp;refrigerated&nbsp;truck&nbsp;in Vietnam after they tried to escape areas of the south badly hit by Covid-19, state&nbsp;media&nbsp;said Monday.

Vietnam has been battling a devastating fourth wave of the&nbsp;virus&nbsp;since April and tens of millions of people are under stay-at-home orders, with domestic travel largely forbidden.

On Sunday police in Binh Thuan province discovered the group of 15 inside a vehicle that had aroused suspicion as it tried to pass a&nbsp;virus&nbsp;checkpoint on its way north, Ho Chi Minh City's Phap Luat online newspaper said.

"Police were so surprised to see 15 people at the back of the&nbsp;truck... Some of them were sweating and showed symptoms of breath shortness," the report said, adding the passengers were carrying negative Covid test certificates.

A passenger said they had asked the driver to turn off the&nbsp;truck's refrigeration system as it had been too cold.

"We knew it is a huge risk and very dangerous to stay in a closed frozen&nbsp;truck, but we faced a higher risk if we were infected with the&nbsp;virus," the report quoted a man travelling with his seven-year-old son as saying.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-conducts-airstrikes-in-gaza-targets-militant-sites-412669">Also read |&nbsp;Israel conducts airstrikes in Gaza; targets militant sites</a>

According to the report, the group travelled dozens of kilometres in the sealed&nbsp;truck&nbsp;from southern Dong Nai province, an industrial area that has recorded more than 35,000 Covid-19 cases and 320 deaths.

The province has been in total lockdown since early July and makeshift hospitals have been set up to treat tens of thousands of infected patients.

The people in the&nbsp;truck&nbsp;were reportedly trying to reach their homes in central Vietnam.

Vietnam has suspended all public road and air transport links from the south, which has been hit the hardest by the country's most severe wave of the pandemic so far.

The country has reported more than 610,000&nbsp;virus&nbsp;cases, with more than 11,400 deaths.&nbsp;

In October 2019, 31 men and eight women from Vietnam, were&nbsp;found&nbsp;dead in a&nbsp;refrigerated&nbsp;truck&nbsp;near London, highlighting the enormous risks of illegal migration to Europe and sparking an international outcry.

Fifteen people including a seven-year-old boy have been found inside a refrigerated truck in Vietnam after they tried to escape areas of the south badly hit by Covid-19, state media said Monday.

Fifteen people including a seven-year-old boy have been found inside a refrigerated truck in Vietnam after they tried to escape areas of the south badly hit by Covid-19, state media said Monday. Vietnam has been battling a devastating fourth wave of the virus since April and tens of millions of people are under stay-at-home orders, with domestic travel largely forbidden. On Sunday police in Binh Thuan province discovered the group of 15 inside a vehicle that had aroused suspicion as it tried to pass a virus checkpoint on its way north, Ho Chi Minh City's Phap Luat online newspaper said. "Police were so surprised to see 15 people at the back of the truck... Some of them were sweating and showed symptoms of breath shortness," the report said, adding the passengers were carrying negative Covid test certificates. A passenger said they had asked the driver to turn off the truck's refrigeration system as it had been too cold. "We knew it is a huge risk and very dangerous to stay in a closed frozen truck, but we faced a higher risk if we were infected with the virus," the report quoted a man travelling with his seven-year-old son as saying. Also read | Israel conducts airstrikes in Gaza; targets militant sites According to the report, the group travelled dozens of kilometres in the sealed truck from southern Dong Nai province, an industrial area that has recorded more than 35,000 Covid-19 cases and 320 deaths. The province has been in total lockdown since early July and makeshift hospitals have been set up to treat tens of thousands of infected patients. The people in the truck were reportedly trying to reach their homes in central Vietnam. Vietnam has suspended all public road and air transport links from the south, which has been hit the hardest by the country's most severe wave of the pandemic so far. The country has reported more than 610,000 virus cases, with more than 11,400 deaths. In October 2019, 31 men and eight women from Vietnam, were found dead in a refrigerated truck near London, highlighting the enormous risks of illegal migration to Europe and sparking an international outcry.

Vietnamese fleeing virus found in refrigerated truck: Media

Twelve opposition candidates running for Russia’s parliamentary election in September met numerous journalists in Moscow on Saturday, asking them to “resist” the Kremlin’s crackdown against the independent media.

The small rally on Saturday was organized by several opposition candidates. It was officially billed as a meeting between candidates and voters in order to avoid accusations of staging an unauthorized rally, according to news agency Associated Press.

The candidates condemned the recent designation of several independent media outlets as “foreign agents.”

“(President Vladimir) Putin has set his own goals. The media is bothering him, so all media must be destroyed,” Reuters quoted Marina Litobinovich, one of the opposition candidates, while speaking to a crowd.

“My friend, we have to resist as much as we can. Many media will have to go underground.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-declares-media-outlet-the-insider-a-foreign-agent-400306">Russia declares media outlet The Insider a 'foreign agent'</a>

Russia’s controversial “foreign agent” law was adopted in 2012. The government uses the foreign agent designation to label foreign-funded organisations that it says are engaged in political activity.

The term carries negative Soviet-era connotations and subjects those designated to extra government scrutiny.

The authorities have designated nearly 50 journalists and media as “foreign agents.” The term they say refers to foreign-funded outlets that have political prejudice but are criticized by critics as a reversion to Soviet persecution.

The Kremlin denies persecuting the media for political reasons.

The status of a foreign agent increases the risk of prosecution by requiring the media to submit detailed reports of activities and finances.

Candidates have promised to run a campaign to overturn the law on foreign agents if journalists are elected.

(With inputs from agencies)

Twelve opposition candidates running for Russia’s parliamentary election in September met numerous journalists in Moscow on Saturday, asking them to “resist” the Kremlin’s crackdown against the independent media.

Twelve opposition candidates running for Russia’s parliamentary election in September met numerous journalists in Moscow on Saturday, asking them to “resist” the Kremlin’s crackdown against the independent media. The small rally on Saturday was organized by several opposition candidates. It was officially billed as a meeting between candidates and voters in order to avoid accusations of staging an unauthorized rally, according to news agency Associated Press. The candidates condemned the recent designation of several independent media outlets as “foreign agents.” “(President Vladimir) Putin has set his own goals. The media is bothering him, so all media must be destroyed,” Reuters quoted Marina Litobinovich, one of the opposition candidates, while speaking to a crowd. “My friend, we have to resist as much as we can. Many media will have to go underground.” Also read | Russia declares media outlet The Insider a 'foreign agent' Russia’s controversial “foreign agent” law was adopted in 2012. The government uses the foreign agent designation to label foreign-funded organisations that it says are engaged in political activity. The term carries negative Soviet-era connotations and subjects those designated to extra government scrutiny. The authorities have designated nearly 50 journalists and media as “foreign agents.” The term they say refers to foreign-funded outlets that have political prejudice but are criticized by critics as a reversion to Soviet persecution. The Kremlin denies persecuting the media for political reasons. The status of a foreign agent increases the risk of prosecution by requiring the media to submit detailed reports of activities and finances. Candidates have promised to run a campaign to overturn the law on foreign agents if journalists are elected. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian opposition candidates rally media against 'foreign agent' law

Taiwan launched a new English-language news and media streaming platform on Monday aiming to give it a greater voice on the world stage and help to tackle Beijing`s "squeeze" of the Chinese-claimed island on the world stage.

Taiwan+, backed by T$775 million ($28 million) in government funding, will broadcast content online focusing on news, as well as features about Taiwan, from food and tourism to culture and technology.

President Tsai Ing-wen, in a recorded message to the launch party at a Taipei museum, said Taiwan needed a platform to highlight to the world the island`s diversity, democratic achievements and aspiration to contribute to the international community.

"It is our own international media platform, a key part of our collective effort to show what Taiwan has to offer," she said. 
Taiwan+`s founding comes at a time when China is increasingly active in English-language media, putting across the ruling Communist Party`s views to an outside audience, especially via state television`s English language news channel China Global Television Network, or CGTN.

China is also squeezing Taiwan`s international space, including forcing foreign companies to refer to it as being part of China on their websites and routinely carrying out military drills near the island.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/respect-human-rights-and-dignities-taiwans-former-defence-minister-to-china-at-wion-global-summit-372787">Respect human rights and dignities': Taiwan's Former Defence Minister to China at WION Global Summit</a>

Parliament speaker You Si-kun said Taiwan needs to be able to tell its own stories and confront misconceptions put about by China.

"For a long time, the Chinese Communists have been squeezing Taiwan`s international space and creating a false image of Taiwan, leading to the diplomatic challenges Taiwan now faces," You said.

"In recent years, however, there has been a dramatic change in how the world sees the Chinese Communists. Major democracies around the world are now raising the alarm over China`s rise," he added.

Taiwan already has a handful of domestic English-language media, the most prominent of which is the Taipei Times, founded in 1999 and published by the mass circulation Liberty Times.

Taiwan launched a new English-language news and media streaming platform on Monday aiming to give it a greater voice on the world stage and help to tackle Beijing`s "squeeze" of the Chinese-claimed island on the world stage.

Taiwan launched a new English-language news and media streaming platform on Monday aiming to give it a greater voice on the world stage and help to tackle Beijing`s "squeeze" of the Chinese-claimed island on the world stage. Taiwan+, backed by T$775 million ($28 million) in government funding, will broadcast content online focusing on news, as well as features about Taiwan, from food and tourism to culture and technology. President Tsai Ing-wen, in a recorded message to the launch party at a Taipei museum, said Taiwan needed a platform to highlight to the world the island`s diversity, democratic achievements and aspiration to contribute to the international community. "It is our own international media platform, a key part of our collective effort to show what Taiwan has to offer," she said. Taiwan+`s founding comes at a time when China is increasingly active in English-language media, putting across the ruling Communist Party`s views to an outside audience, especially via state television`s English language news channel China Global Television Network, or CGTN. China is also squeezing Taiwan`s international space, including forcing foreign companies to refer to it as being part of China on their websites and routinely carrying out military drills near the island. Also read | Respect human rights and dignities': Taiwan's Former Defence Minister to China at WION Global Summit Parliament speaker You Si-kun said Taiwan needs to be able to tell its own stories and confront misconceptions put about by China. "For a long time, the Chinese Communists have been squeezing Taiwan`s international space and creating a false image of Taiwan, leading to the diplomatic challenges Taiwan now faces," You said. "In recent years, however, there has been a dramatic change in how the world sees the Chinese Communists. Major democracies around the world are now raising the alarm over China`s rise," he added. Taiwan already has a handful of domestic English-language media, the most prominent of which is the Taipei Times, founded in 1999 and published by the mass circulation Liberty Times.

Facing China ''squeeze'', Taiwan launches English-language news platform

Several leading Russian media outlets have urged President Vladamir Putin to end&nbsp;what they claim a “crackdown” on&nbsp;journalists&nbsp;and media&nbsp;firms&nbsp;who have been branded as “foreign&nbsp;agents”&nbsp;and&nbsp;“undesirable”&nbsp;organisations.&nbsp;

In the run-up to September`s legislative election, the officials had declared several outlets as&nbsp;“foreign agents”&nbsp;under&nbsp;a 2017 Russian law that requires them to put a disclaimer on any content they produce and disclose information on their funding.&nbsp;

More than a dozen media, including&nbsp;Meduza, TV Rain and Novaya Gazeta have signed an open letter to the government pleading them to repeal the law, which they&nbsp;argue is a death sentence for independent media as it scares off advertisers, potential sources and reporting partners.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“We are convinced that these events are part of a coordinated campaign to destroy independent Russian media, whose entire ‘guilt’ is constituted by their honestly fulfilling their professional duties to their readers,”&nbsp;The&nbsp;Guardian quoted the&nbsp;letter.&nbsp;

“We demand that this campaign be halted right now.”&nbsp;

Some outlets said they have been forced to close because a foreign agent declaration had destroyed their business models.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-declares-media-outlet-the-insider-a-foreign-agent-400306">Russia declares media outlet The Insider a 'foreign agent' &nbsp;</a>

Earlier this year,&nbsp;Russia heavily fined US broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty this year and froze its Moscow bank accounts for refusing to publish the disclaimer after being declared a foreign agent.&nbsp;

Rejecting the claims that the media is being persecuted, the Kremlin described the appeals made by the&nbsp;outlets&nbsp;as “emotional”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It said&nbsp;that such&nbsp;designations showed that the law was functioning and that the legislation was needed to protect Russia from foreign meddling as&nbsp;journalists and NGOs can be manipulated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Several leading Russian media outlets have urged President Vladamir Putin to end what they claim a “crackdown” on journalists and media firms who have been branded as “foreign agents” and “undesirable” organisations.

Several leading Russian media outlets have urged President Vladamir Putin to end what they claim a “crackdown” on journalists and media firms who have been branded as “foreign agents” and “undesirable” organisations. In the run-up to September`s legislative election, the officials had declared several outlets as “foreign agents” under a 2017 Russian law that requires them to put a disclaimer on any content they produce and disclose information on their funding. More than a dozen media, including Meduza, TV Rain and Novaya Gazeta have signed an open letter to the government pleading them to repeal the law, which they argue is a death sentence for independent media as it scares off advertisers, potential sources and reporting partners. “We are convinced that these events are part of a coordinated campaign to destroy independent Russian media, whose entire ‘guilt’ is constituted by their honestly fulfilling their professional duties to their readers,” The Guardian quoted the letter. “We demand that this campaign be halted right now.” Some outlets said they have been forced to close because a foreign agent declaration had destroyed their business models. Also read | Russia declares media outlet The Insider a 'foreign agent' Earlier this year, Russia heavily fined US broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty this year and froze its Moscow bank accounts for refusing to publish the disclaimer after being declared a foreign agent. Rejecting the claims that the media is being persecuted, the Kremlin described the appeals made by the outlets as “emotional”. It said that such designations showed that the law was functioning and that the legislation was needed to protect Russia from foreign meddling as journalists and NGOs can be manipulated. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian news outlets urge Putin to end media 'crackdown’ under ‘foreign agent’ law 

Polish MPs on Wednesday voted in favour of a new law that critics say will curb media freedom and hit ties with the United States, but the ruling coalition also lost several key votes, putting its long-term future in doubt.

The media law would prevent companies from outside the European Economic Area from holding a controlling stake in Polish media companies.

That would force US group Discovery to sell its majority stake in TVN, one of&nbsp;Poland's biggest private TV networks whose news channel TVN24 is often highly critical of the government.

The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party says the law is needed to stop hostile foreign powers from taking control of powerful broadcasters and is in line with rules in other European countries.

But critics say it opens a path for a state-controlled company to take control of TVN, following a takeover of the regional newspaper group Polska Press by state energy giant PKN Orlen.

TVN urged the Senate and the president to reject the law, labelling the vote "an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression and media independence".

The vote came during a stormy session of parliament that at one point was interrupted when MPs approved an opposition motion to suspend proceedings to delay the media law vote.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-may-become-a-mostly-childhood-disease-in-few-years-study-404960">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19 may become a mostly childhood disease in few years: Study&nbsp;</a>

In the end, the session resumed and the media law passed by 228 votes in favour and 216 against in the 460-seat lower house of parliament.

Thousands of people took to the streets in rallies across&nbsp;Poland&nbsp;on Tuesday over the draft law.

The United States is "deeply troubled" by the draft legislation, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, warning that it "threatens media freedom and could undermine&nbsp;Poland's strong investment climate".

'Fraudsters! Fraudsters!'

Earlier in the parliamentary session, the government lost four key votes, a day after a junior partner walked out of the governing coalition led by PiS.

In one of the votes, MPs voted by 229 to 227 to suspend the session to postpone a vote on the media law.

But speaker Elzbieta Witek, a PiS member, ordered another vote, which the government won by 230 to 225 to resume proceedings despite howls of outrage from the opposition.

"Fraudsters! Fraudsters!" the MPs chanted, accusing the government of buying support to win the vote.

"The parliamentary majority, glued together with the mud of corruption and blackmail, is crumbling before our eyes," tweeted former EU chief Donald Tusk, who heads up the opposition Civic Platform.

"It may go on for a while but it is no longer able to govern."

The lost votes do not mean that the government will collapse, as a formal vote of no confidence would be need for that to happen, and PiS could potentially continue as a minority government.

But commentators have said a minority government would be difficult to sustain long-term as it would have to rely on the far-right Confederation party, which is highly critical of the government.

The next elections are scheduled for 2023.

The United Right coalition, which is dominated by the PiS, has governed&nbsp;Poland&nbsp;since 2015.

It has been accused by the European Union of rolling back democratic freedoms but is still popular among many Poles, mainly for its social welfare reforms.

Polish MPs on Wednesday voted in favour of a new law that critics say will curb media freedom and hit ties with the United States, but the ruling coalition also lost several key votes, putting its long-term future in doubt.

Polish MPs on Wednesday voted in favour of a new law that critics say will curb media freedom and hit ties with the United States, but the ruling coalition also lost several key votes, putting its long-term future in doubt. The media law would prevent companies from outside the European Economic Area from holding a controlling stake in Polish media companies. That would force US group Discovery to sell its majority stake in TVN, one of Poland's biggest private TV networks whose news channel TVN24 is often highly critical of the government. The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party says the law is needed to stop hostile foreign powers from taking control of powerful broadcasters and is in line with rules in other European countries. But critics say it opens a path for a state-controlled company to take control of TVN, following a takeover of the regional newspaper group Polska Press by state energy giant PKN Orlen. TVN urged the Senate and the president to reject the law, labelling the vote "an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression and media independence". The vote came during a stormy session of parliament that at one point was interrupted when MPs approved an opposition motion to suspend proceedings to delay the media law vote. Also read | COVID-19 may become a mostly childhood disease in few years: Study In the end, the session resumed and the media law passed by 228 votes in favour and 216 against in the 460-seat lower house of parliament. Thousands of people took to the streets in rallies across Poland on Tuesday over the draft law. The United States is "deeply troubled" by the draft legislation, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, warning that it "threatens media freedom and could undermine Poland's strong investment climate". 'Fraudsters! Fraudsters!' Earlier in the parliamentary session, the government lost four key votes, a day after a junior partner walked out of the governing coalition led by PiS. In one of the votes, MPs voted by 229 to 227 to suspend the session to postpone a vote on the media law. But speaker Elzbieta Witek, a PiS member, ordered another vote, which the government won by 230 to 225 to resume proceedings despite howls of outrage from the opposition. "Fraudsters! Fraudsters!" the MPs chanted, accusing the government of buying support to win the vote. "The parliamentary majority, glued together with the mud of corruption and blackmail, is crumbling before our eyes," tweeted former EU chief Donald Tusk, who heads up the opposition Civic Platform. "It may go on for a while but it is no longer able to govern." The lost votes do not mean that the government will collapse, as a formal vote of no confidence would be need for that to happen, and PiS could potentially continue as a minority government. But commentators have said a minority government would be difficult to sustain long-term as it would have to rely on the far-right Confederation party, which is highly critical of the government. The next elections are scheduled for 2023. The United Right coalition, which is dominated by the PiS, has governed Poland since 2015. It has been accused by the European Union of rolling back democratic freedoms but is still popular among many Poles, mainly for its social welfare reforms.

Polish MPs approve controversial media law but government wobbles

Russia&nbsp;declared investigative&nbsp;media&nbsp;outlet&nbsp;The&nbsp;Insider&nbsp;and five individual journalists "foreign agents" on Friday, part of what Kremlin opponents say is a crackdown on independent&nbsp;media&nbsp;before an election.

The government, which denies a crackdown is under way, uses the "foreign agent" designation to label foreign-funded organisations that it says are engaged in political activity.

The term carries negative Soviet-era connotations and subjects those designated to extra government scrutiny.

The&nbsp;Insider, which was added to a justice ministry list of "foreign agents", has worked with investigative website Bellingcat on projects including an investigation into what Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny says was an attempt to kill him.

"As a result of The&nbsp;Insider's listing by the DOJ (Justice Ministry), we are pleased to inform you that our editorial staff will continue to operate as usual and maintain our editorial policy," The&nbsp;Insider&nbsp;said in a statement on its website.

"We will continue to provide our readers with full and uncensored public information."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/washington-authorises-100-million-for-afghan-migration-aid-400236">Also read |&nbsp;Washington authorises $100 million for Afghan migration aid</a>

The designation as a "foreign agent" requires&nbsp;outlets to publish a 24-word disclaimer saying their publications are distributed by a&nbsp;media&nbsp;organisation "fulfilling the function of a foreign agent".

Individual journalists designated as "foreign agents" have said they need to attach a disclaimer explaining their status to social&nbsp;media&nbsp;posts and file itemised financial reports on their earnings and spending to the justice ministry.

The&nbsp;Insider&nbsp;is the 29th&nbsp;media&nbsp;outlet&nbsp;on the list. One, VTimes, shut down last month, saying it lost advertisers and other business partners after the designation.

The five individuals added to the list on Friday were from various&nbsp;outlets and included Mikhail Rubin, deputy editor of Proekt, an investigative news&nbsp;outlet&nbsp;that was declared "undesirable" on national security grounds last week.

President Vladimir Putin's opponents see the moves against the&nbsp;media&nbsp;as part of a crackdown on the opposition before a parliamentary election in September. Denying a crackdown is under way, the Kremlin has described&nbsp;Russia's&nbsp;media&nbsp;market as vibrant, with many different&nbsp;outlets to choose from.

Russia declared investigative media outlet The Insider and five individual journalists "foreign agents" on Friday, part of what Kremlin opponents say is a crackdown on independent media before an election.

Russia declared investigative media outlet The Insider and five individual journalists "foreign agents" on Friday, part of what Kremlin opponents say is a crackdown on independent media before an election. The government, which denies a crackdown is under way, uses the "foreign agent" designation to label foreign-funded organisations that it says are engaged in political activity. The term carries negative Soviet-era connotations and subjects those designated to extra government scrutiny. The Insider, which was added to a justice ministry list of "foreign agents", has worked with investigative website Bellingcat on projects including an investigation into what Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny says was an attempt to kill him. "As a result of The Insider's listing by the DOJ (Justice Ministry), we are pleased to inform you that our editorial staff will continue to operate as usual and maintain our editorial policy," The Insider said in a statement on its website. "We will continue to provide our readers with full and uncensored public information." Also read | Washington authorises $100 million for Afghan migration aid The designation as a "foreign agent" requires outlets to publish a 24-word disclaimer saying their publications are distributed by a media organisation "fulfilling the function of a foreign agent". Individual journalists designated as "foreign agents" have said they need to attach a disclaimer explaining their status to social media posts and file itemised financial reports on their earnings and spending to the justice ministry. The Insider is the 29th media outlet on the list. One, VTimes, shut down last month, saying it lost advertisers and other business partners after the designation. The five individuals added to the list on Friday were from various outlets and included Mikhail Rubin, deputy editor of Proekt, an investigative news outlet that was declared "undesirable" on national security grounds last week. President Vladimir Putin's opponents see the moves against the media as part of a crackdown on the opposition before a parliamentary election in September. Denying a crackdown is under way, the Kremlin has described Russia's media market as vibrant, with many different outlets to choose from.

Russia declares media outlet The Insider a 'foreign agent'

Syria's air defences intercepted Israeli missiles over Homs province early Thursday, the second airstrike this week, Syrian state media reported.

A military source told Syrian state news agency SANA that the attack had caused no casualties, inflicting only material damage.

"At 01:13 am... the Israeli enemy carried out an aerial attack targeting several positions in the Qusayr region of Homs province," SANA reported, citing the source.

"Our air defences intercepted the missiles... shooting most of them down," the military source said.&nbsp;

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the missiles had targeted military positions of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, destroying weapons depots.

The Syrian army recaptured Qusayr, a rebel stronghold near the Lebanese border, in 2013 after a blistering 17-day assault led by Hezbollah fighters. The city was strategically vital for the regime because it links the capital Damascus to the coast.

Seizing the stronghold was a major victory for Hezbollah, which has fought alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-the-cost-of-10-years-of-devastating-war-in-syria-387504">Also read |&nbsp;Explainer | The cost of 10 years of devastating war in Syria</a>

Thursday's airstrikes were the second this week, after an Israeli attack on Monday killed five pro-Iran fighters allied with the regime, and destroyed the group's base and a nearby weapons depot in Aleppo, according to the Britain-based war monitor.&nbsp;

Since the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Israel has routinely carried out raids in Syria, mostly targeting government positions as well as allied Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces.

Israel rarely confirms strikes in Syria, but the Jewish state's army has said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country last year, without providing details.

Israel has said it is trying to prevent its arch-foe Iran from gaining a permanent military foothold on its doorstep.

Last month, Israeli airstrikes in central Syria killed at least 11 government troops and militiamen.

Syria's air defences intercepted Israeli missiles over Homs province early Thursday, the second airstrike this week, Syrian state media reported. A military source told Syrian state news agency SANA that the attack had caused no casualties, inflicting only material damage.

Syria's air defences intercepted Israeli missiles over Homs province early Thursday, the second airstrike this week, Syrian state media reported. A military source told Syrian state news agency SANA that the attack had caused no casualties, inflicting only material damage. "At 01:13 am... the Israeli enemy carried out an aerial attack targeting several positions in the Qusayr region of Homs province," SANA reported, citing the source. "Our air defences intercepted the missiles... shooting most of them down," the military source said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the missiles had targeted military positions of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, destroying weapons depots. The Syrian army recaptured Qusayr, a rebel stronghold near the Lebanese border, in 2013 after a blistering 17-day assault led by Hezbollah fighters. The city was strategically vital for the regime because it links the capital Damascus to the coast. Seizing the stronghold was a major victory for Hezbollah, which has fought alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Also read | Explainer | The cost of 10 years of devastating war in Syria Thursday's airstrikes were the second this week, after an Israeli attack on Monday killed five pro-Iran fighters allied with the regime, and destroyed the group's base and a nearby weapons depot in Aleppo, according to the Britain-based war monitor. Since the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Israel has routinely carried out raids in Syria, mostly targeting government positions as well as allied Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces. Israel rarely confirms strikes in Syria, but the Jewish state's army has said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country last year, without providing details. Israel has said it is trying to prevent its arch-foe Iran from gaining a permanent military foothold on its doorstep. Last month, Israeli airstrikes in central Syria killed at least 11 government troops and militiamen.

Israeli missiles shot down in Syria: state media

Top US scientist Anthony Fauci on Saturday blasted commentators who sound an anti-vaccination theme, saying America might still be battling smallpox and polio if today's kind of misinformation existed back then.

The comments from the country's leading infectious disease expert reflected mounting frustration over the sharp slowdown in the COVID-19 vaccination rate in the United States, even as the disease has been surging in states with low rates.

It also came days after President Joe Biden expressed his own visible frustration, saying social media that carry widely heard misinformation about vaccines are "killing people."

Fauci was responding to a CNN interviewer who asked if he thought "we could have defeated the measles or eradicated polio if you had Fox News, night after night, warning people about these vaccine issues that are just bunk."

Fauci said: "We probably would still have smallpox and we probably would still have polio ... if we had the kind of false information that's being spread."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dreamers-programme-deemed-unlawful-by-us-federal-judge-biden-says-deeply-disappointed-398708">Also read |&nbsp;'Dreamers' programme deemed unlawful by US Federal Judge, Biden says 'deeply disappointed'</a>

Initial vaccine scepticism in many areas has increasingly evolved into outright hostility, a message magnified by baseless conspiracy theories regularly aired on Fox and other conservative networks.

"Maybe it doesn't work and they're simply not telling you that," Tucker Carlson, one of Fox's most popular commentators, said recently.

The vaccines have instead proved extraordinarily effective. Officials in Maryland, for example, said that not one of the people who died of the disease last month in the state had been vaccinated.

To suggestions of sending vaccine educators door-to-door to encourage people to get the jab, Fox commentator Charlie Hurt said, "They've become like the Taliban."

Conservative politicians have increasingly echoed former President Donald Trump's mockery of Covid precautions.&nbsp;

Door-to-door educators, suggested Representative Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, might instead come and take people's guns -- or their Bibles.

After an initial burst of vaccinations around the country, the pace has slowed sharply.

Biden's announced goal of having 70 per cent of adults vaccinated by July 4 fell short by about three points, and the vaccination rate has slowed further since then, even as the disease's Delta variant has spread rapidly.

A few Republicans have sought to place blame for the disease's ravages and economic dislocations on the widely respected Fauci himself.&nbsp;

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has introduced the so-called Fire Fauci Act, calling for his salary to be reduced to zero and requiring the Senate to confirm a replacement. The bill is not expected to go anywhere.

Fauci was asked on CNN about T-shirts being sold by a political action group linked to Florida governor Ron DeSantis that say "Don't Fauci My Florida."

He appeared genuinely perplexed.

"Taking an individual who stands for public health, for truth... and to use my name in a derogatory way to prevent people from doing things that's for the benefit of their own health, go figure that one out.

"That doesn't make any sense at all," he said, shaking his head.

Top US scientist Anthony Fauci on Saturday blasted commentators who sound an anti-vaccination theme, saying America might still be battling smallpox and polio if today's kind of misinformation existed back then.

Top US scientist Anthony Fauci on Saturday blasted commentators who sound an anti-vaccination theme, saying America might still be battling smallpox and polio if today's kind of misinformation existed back then. The comments from the country's leading infectious disease expert reflected mounting frustration over the sharp slowdown in the COVID-19 vaccination rate in the United States, even as the disease has been surging in states with low rates. It also came days after President Joe Biden expressed his own visible frustration, saying social media that carry widely heard misinformation about vaccines are "killing people." Fauci was responding to a CNN interviewer who asked if he thought "we could have defeated the measles or eradicated polio if you had Fox News, night after night, warning people about these vaccine issues that are just bunk." Fauci said: "We probably would still have smallpox and we probably would still have polio ... if we had the kind of false information that's being spread." Also read | 'Dreamers' programme deemed unlawful by US Federal Judge, Biden says 'deeply disappointed' Initial vaccine scepticism in many areas has increasingly evolved into outright hostility, a message magnified by baseless conspiracy theories regularly aired on Fox and other conservative networks. "Maybe it doesn't work and they're simply not telling you that," Tucker Carlson, one of Fox's most popular commentators, said recently. The vaccines have instead proved extraordinarily effective. Officials in Maryland, for example, said that not one of the people who died of the disease last month in the state had been vaccinated. To suggestions of sending vaccine educators door-to-door to encourage people to get the jab, Fox commentator Charlie Hurt said, "They've become like the Taliban." Conservative politicians have increasingly echoed former President Donald Trump's mockery of Covid precautions. Door-to-door educators, suggested Representative Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, might instead come and take people's guns -- or their Bibles. After an initial burst of vaccinations around the country, the pace has slowed sharply. Biden's announced goal of having 70 per cent of adults vaccinated by July 4 fell short by about three points, and the vaccination rate has slowed further since then, even as the disease's Delta variant has spread rapidly. A few Republicans have sought to place blame for the disease's ravages and economic dislocations on the widely respected Fauci himself. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has introduced the so-called Fire Fauci Act, calling for his salary to be reduced to zero and requiring the Senate to confirm a replacement. The bill is not expected to go anywhere. Fauci was asked on CNN about T-shirts being sold by a political action group linked to Florida governor Ron DeSantis that say "Don't Fauci My Florida." He appeared genuinely perplexed. "Taking an individual who stands for public health, for truth... and to use my name in a derogatory way to prevent people from doing things that's for the benefit of their own health, go figure that one out. "That doesn't make any sense at all," he said, shaking his head.

US might 'still have polio' if media back then opposed vaccine, says Fauci

An Ugandan weightlifter who went missing from an Olympic training camp on Friday left a note saying he wanted to stay in Japan, media reports said, adding to confusion ahead of the Games which begin next week. 
 
Julius Ssekitoleko was discovered missing from the Ugandan team's training site in Izumisano, a city in Osaka, western Japan. 
 
Media reports said he left behind a note saying he wanted to stay and work in Japan, as life in Uganda was difficult. 
 
Ssekitoleko had not qualified to take part in the Tokyo Games, and was due to return to Uganda on next Tuesday. 
 
A nearby train station recorded him purchasing a bullet train ticket to Nagoya in central Japan, the reports said. 
 
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, postponed for a year due to the global pandemic, is being held under tight quarantine rules, restricting participants' movements to prevent the spread of infections.

An Ugandan weightlifter who went missing from an Olympic training camp on Friday left a note saying he wanted to stay in Japan, media reports said, adding to confusion ahead of the Games which begin next week.

An Ugandan weightlifter who went missing from an Olympic training camp on Friday left a note saying he wanted to stay in Japan, media reports said, adding to confusion ahead of the Games which begin next week. Julius Ssekitoleko was discovered missing from the Ugandan team's training site in Izumisano, a city in Osaka, western Japan. Media reports said he left behind a note saying he wanted to stay and work in Japan, as life in Uganda was difficult. Ssekitoleko had not qualified to take part in the Tokyo Games, and was due to return to Uganda on next Tuesday. A nearby train station recorded him purchasing a bullet train ticket to Nagoya in central Japan, the reports said. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, postponed for a year due to the global pandemic, is being held under tight quarantine rules, restricting participants' movements to prevent the spread of infections.

Missing Ugandan weightlifter wanted to stay in Japan: Reports

Former President Donald&nbsp;Trump's company and its long-serving chief financial officer are to be charged on Thursday with tax-related crimes, US media reported.

They would mark the first criminal charges in a more than two-year investigation by the Manhattan district attorney into alleged fraud at the&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;Organization.

The New York Times and The Washington Post said that a New York grand jury had indicted the company and Allen Weisselberg on Wednesday, although the specific charges have not been disclosed.

The Wall Street Journal said Weisselberg and the&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;Organization are expected to be charged with the evasion of taxes on fringe benefits when the indictment is unveiled on Thursday.

The paper was the first to report the imminent charges and cited people familiar with the matter.

Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance and New York state Attorney General Letitia James have been investigating whether Weisselberg and other executives avoided paying taxes on perks from the&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;Organization.

The perks included private school tuition, luxury cars, and apartments, US media say.

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Weisselberg, a loyal&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;lieutenant often described as the keeper of the company's secrets, is expected to turn himself into Vance's office on Thursday morning, the Post said, citing two people familiar with the plan.

He is then expected to be arraigned later in the day in front of a judge. Lawyers for the&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;Organization will also appear in court, the newspapers said.

Trump&nbsp;himself is not expected to be charged, according to the reports, although a criminal indictment would deal a major blow to the Republican ex-president who has suggested he could run for the White House again in 2024.

Possible tax evasion

Trump, 75, has condemned the probe as politically motivated, describing it as "a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in American history."

The&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;Organization is an unlisted family holding company that owns golf clubs, hotels and luxury properties.

Trump&nbsp;handed over the reins of the business to his two eldest sons and to Weisselberg when he went to the White House in early 2017.

New York prosecutors have been trying to get Weisselberg, 73, to cooperate with their broad investigations into the&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;Organization's finances.

The indictment would increase the pressure on him to cooperate.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office is probing whether the company regularly overvalued or undervalued its assets, particularly several properties in New York state, to either get bank loans or reduce their taxes.

Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen has alleged that they did, allegations that could constitute possible tax evasion or insurance fraud.

The investigations also center on eight years of&nbsp;Trump's tax returns, obtained by the prosecutors in February after a long legal battle that went to the Supreme Court.

Vance's probe initially focused on hush payments made to two women who allege they had affairs with&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;-- before the investigation was expanded.

Cohen, jailed for tax evasion and violating campaign finance laws, was one of the real estate mogul's closest henchmen before turning against his former boss and deciding to cooperate with prosecutors.

Former President Donald Trump's company and its long-serving chief financial officer are to be charged on Thursday with tax-related crimes, US media reported. They would mark the first criminal charges in a more than two-year investigation by the Manhattan district attorney into alleged fraud at the Trump Organization.

Former President Donald Trump's company and its long-serving chief financial officer are to be charged on Thursday with tax-related crimes, US media reported. They would mark the first criminal charges in a more than two-year investigation by the Manhattan district attorney into alleged fraud at the Trump Organization. The New York Times and The Washington Post said that a New York grand jury had indicted the company and Allen Weisselberg on Wednesday, although the specific charges have not been disclosed. The Wall Street Journal said Weisselberg and the Trump Organization are expected to be charged with the evasion of taxes on fringe benefits when the indictment is unveiled on Thursday. The paper was the first to report the imminent charges and cited people familiar with the matter. Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance and New York state Attorney General Letitia James have been investigating whether Weisselberg and other executives avoided paying taxes on perks from the Trump Organization. The perks included private school tuition, luxury cars, and apartments, US media say. Also Read | President Jinping hails 'irreversible' rise of China on Communist Party centenary Weisselberg, a loyal Trump lieutenant often described as the keeper of the company's secrets, is expected to turn himself into Vance's office on Thursday morning, the Post said, citing two people familiar with the plan. He is then expected to be arraigned later in the day in front of a judge. Lawyers for the Trump Organization will also appear in court, the newspapers said. Trump himself is not expected to be charged, according to the reports, although a criminal indictment would deal a major blow to the Republican ex-president who has suggested he could run for the White House again in 2024. Possible tax evasion Trump, 75, has condemned the probe as politically motivated, describing it as "a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in American history." The Trump Organization is an unlisted family holding company that owns golf clubs, hotels and luxury properties. Trump handed over the reins of the business to his two eldest sons and to Weisselberg when he went to the White House in early 2017. New York prosecutors have been trying to get Weisselberg, 73, to cooperate with their broad investigations into the Trump Organization's finances. The indictment would increase the pressure on him to cooperate. The Manhattan District Attorney's office is probing whether the company regularly overvalued or undervalued its assets, particularly several properties in New York state, to either get bank loans or reduce their taxes. Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen has alleged that they did, allegations that could constitute possible tax evasion or insurance fraud. The investigations also center on eight years of Trump's tax returns, obtained by the prosecutors in February after a long legal battle that went to the Supreme Court. Vance's probe initially focused on hush payments made to two women who allege they had affairs with Trump -- before the investigation was expanded. Cohen, jailed for tax evasion and violating campaign finance laws, was one of the real estate mogul's closest henchmen before turning against his former boss and deciding to cooperate with prosecutors.

Trump Organization, CFO to be charged Thursday: US media

The British government on wedensday, revealed its intention&nbsp;to sell&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;4, a publicly-owned but commercially-funded television broadcaster that draws 90 per cent of its income from advertising.

The UK government said privatisation would enable&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;4&nbsp;to diversify its revenue sources, reach international markets and invest in new content and technology to respond to competition from subscription-based streaming services.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/british-minister-urges-same-rules-for-streaming-services-broadcasters-times-393293">British minister urges same rules for streaming services, broadcasters: Times</a>

It pointed to ITV and&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;5 as examples of successful public service broadcasters operating under private ownership.

Channel&nbsp;4&nbsp;launched in 1982 and its remit involves supporting Britain's independent production sector and producing a unique and diverse range of programmes.

Critics claim the decision&nbsp;is politically motivated as politicians from Britain's ruling Conservative party have accused the broadcaster of bias.

In 2019,&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;4's head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne branded Prime Minister Boris Johnson a "liar" and a "coward".

He now rarely gives interviews to the broadcaster, although he relented at the recent G7 summit in Cornwall, where he was grilled -- uncomfortably -- on his Brexit commitments.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-media-watchdog-imposes-50-thousand-pound-fine-on-khalsa-tv-363308">UK media watchdog imposes 50 thousand pound fine on Khalsa TV</a>

EU leaders "say you don't keep your word... They think you'll rip up the agreements that you've signed," the&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;4&nbsp;News interviewers suggested to Johnson.

Chief executive Alex Mahon on Tuesday defended&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;4's public ownership model to a committee of MPs, saying it "put public service before profit" through its remit of "speaking up for the unheard and appealing to diverse audiences".

She added the broadcaster, known for its often edgy, alternative content, was "thriving" despite the upheaval caused by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus pandemic</a>.

Its young audience numbers and trust ratings grew after the first lockdown in March 2020, she added.

Johnson's government also has the BBC in its sights, with questions over its compulsory annual licence fee funding model in the face of competition from streaming services.

Media Shake-up

The government also announced plans to subject online streaming platforms to tighter regulation as part of a wider shake-up of the country's media landscape.

Under the proposals, services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video would face the same level of regulation as traditional broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Sky.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the review would "level the playing field between broadcasters and video-on-demand services".

Television channels in Britain must follow a broadcasting code set by regulator the Office of Communications (Ofcom) covering areas such as harmful content and requiring impartiality in news programmes.

But online streaming platforms, with the exception of the BBC's on-demand iPlayer service, face lighter regulation, primarily limited to protecting children and preventing content that incites hatred.

Netflix and Apple TV+ are not regulated at all in Britain.

The reforms also aim to increase public service broadcasters' online prominence to ensure their programmes can be found and accessed easily on smart TVs and other devices.

"Technology has transformed broadcasting but the rules protecting viewers and helping our traditional channels compete are from an analogue age," Dowden added.

"The time has come to look at how we can unleash the potential of our public service broadcasters while making sure viewers and listeners consuming content on new formats are served by a fair and well-functioning system."

The British government on wedensday, revealed its intention to sell Channel 4, a publicly-owned but commercially-funded television broadcaster that draws 90 per cent of its income from advertising.

The British government on wedensday, revealed its intention to sell Channel 4, a publicly-owned but commercially-funded television broadcaster that draws 90 per cent of its income from advertising. The UK government said privatisation would enable Channel 4 to diversify its revenue sources, reach international markets and invest in new content and technology to respond to competition from subscription-based streaming services. Also read | British minister urges same rules for streaming services, broadcasters: Times It pointed to ITV and Channel 5 as examples of successful public service broadcasters operating under private ownership. Channel 4 launched in 1982 and its remit involves supporting Britain's independent production sector and producing a unique and diverse range of programmes. Critics claim the decision is politically motivated as politicians from Britain's ruling Conservative party have accused the broadcaster of bias. In 2019, Channel 4's head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne branded Prime Minister Boris Johnson a "liar" and a "coward". He now rarely gives interviews to the broadcaster, although he relented at the recent G7 summit in Cornwall, where he was grilled -- uncomfortably -- on his Brexit commitments. Also read | UK media watchdog imposes 50 thousand pound fine on Khalsa TV EU leaders "say you don't keep your word... They think you'll rip up the agreements that you've signed," the Channel 4 News interviewers suggested to Johnson. Chief executive Alex Mahon on Tuesday defended Channel 4's public ownership model to a committee of MPs, saying it "put public service before profit" through its remit of "speaking up for the unheard and appealing to diverse audiences". She added the broadcaster, known for its often edgy, alternative content, was "thriving" despite the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Its young audience numbers and trust ratings grew after the first lockdown in March 2020, she added. Johnson's government also has the BBC in its sights, with questions over its compulsory annual licence fee funding model in the face of competition from streaming services. Media Shake-up The government also announced plans to subject online streaming platforms to tighter regulation as part of a wider shake-up of the country's media landscape. Under the proposals, services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video would face the same level of regulation as traditional broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Sky. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the review would "level the playing field between broadcasters and video-on-demand services". Television channels in Britain must follow a broadcasting code set by regulator the Office of Communications (Ofcom) covering areas such as harmful content and requiring impartiality in news programmes. But online streaming platforms, with the exception of the BBC's on-demand iPlayer service, face lighter regulation, primarily limited to protecting children and preventing content that incites hatred. Netflix and Apple TV+ are not regulated at all in Britain. The reforms also aim to increase public service broadcasters' online prominence to ensure their programmes can be found and accessed easily on smart TVs and other devices. "Technology has transformed broadcasting but the rules protecting viewers and helping our traditional channels compete are from an analogue age," Dowden added. "The time has come to look at how we can unleash the potential of our public service broadcasters while making sure viewers and listeners consuming content on new formats are served by a fair and well-functioning system."

United Kingdom plans sale of Channel 4 as part of a media shake-up

The&nbsp;pandemic&nbsp;has helped rebuild a little of the confidence lost in the&nbsp;media, and pushed news companies even more towards digital, according to the annual Reuters Institute&nbsp;report&nbsp;published Wednesday.

The 10th edition of the&nbsp;report&nbsp;on digital news found that confidence in news reporting had risen six points to 44 per cent since the start of the crisis.

The figures were based on a series of opinion polls conducted by YouGov in 46 countries, with more than 92,000 participants in total.

The highest rates of&nbsp;trust&nbsp;remained in Finland (65 per cent) while the United States fell to the lowest among the countries covered, at just 29 per cent.&nbsp;

France was a little better at 30 per cent despite an increase of seven points.&nbsp;

"The focus on factual reporting during the Covid-19 crisis may have made the news seem more straightforward, while the story has also had the effect of squeezing out more partisan political news," said lead author Nic Newman.

"This may be a temporary effect, but in almost all countries we see audiences placing a greater premium on accurate and reliable news sources."

Shift to digital

The Reuters Institute, based at the Britain's University of Oxford, found&nbsp;increased&nbsp;consumption of mainstream news particularly in countries with "strong and independent public service&nbsp;media".&nbsp;

But it also said printed&nbsp;media&nbsp;remained in steep decline, worsened by the impact on sales and advertising revenue of the&nbsp;pandemic.

This has accelerated the shift towards digital subscriptions, especially in countries where physical sales had stayed relatively high like Germany, Austria and Switzerland.&nbsp;

However, in the roughly 20 countries where newspapers were actively developing their digital sales, only 17 per cent of respondents said they paid for news online, up to two points on last year's&nbsp;report&nbsp;and five compared to 2016.&nbsp;

The number of people paying for news was highest in wealthier countries with traditions of subscribing to physical newspapers, such as Norway (45 per cent) and Sweden (30).&nbsp;

The numbers were lower for the US (21 per cent), France (11), Germany (9) and Britain (8).

"Subscriptions are beginning to work for some publishers but it won't work for all publishers and most importantly, it won't work for all consumers," said co-author Rasmus Kleis Nielsen.&nbsp;

"Given abundant access to free news, publishers will need to develop compelling options to bundle publications or more ways of paying a smaller amount for limited access."

Misinformation

Meanwhile,&nbsp;trust&nbsp;in news shared on social&nbsp;media&nbsp;remained very low at 24 per cent.&nbsp;

There has been a gradual increase in concern over misinformation, though it varies greatly between countries, from 82 per cent in Brazil to 37 per cent in Germany.&nbsp;

A large majority still want&nbsp;media&nbsp;to be impartial (74 per cent) and believe opposing views should be given a balanced hearing (72 per cent).

The&nbsp;report&nbsp;also found younger generations had weak links to traditional&nbsp;media&nbsp;and were more likely to get their news from social&nbsp;media, aggregators and notifications.&nbsp;

Facebook has lost ground to its subsidiaries WhatsApp and Instagram as a source of news.&nbsp;

It said TikTok has become an increasingly popular source of news, particularly among younger audiences, in the wake of the&nbsp;pandemic&nbsp;and race protests of 2020, as well as becoming a key way to mobilise political protests in places like Peru, Indonesia and Thailand.&nbsp;

The pandemic has helped rebuild a little of the confidence lost in the media, and pushed news companies even more towards digital, according to the annual Reuters Institute report published Wednesday.

The pandemic has helped rebuild a little of the confidence lost in the media, and pushed news companies even more towards digital, according to the annual Reuters Institute report published Wednesday. The 10th edition of the report on digital news found that confidence in news reporting had risen six points to 44 per cent since the start of the crisis. The figures were based on a series of opinion polls conducted by YouGov in 46 countries, with more than 92,000 participants in total. The highest rates of trust remained in Finland (65 per cent) while the United States fell to the lowest among the countries covered, at just 29 per cent. France was a little better at 30 per cent despite an increase of seven points. "The focus on factual reporting during the Covid-19 crisis may have made the news seem more straightforward, while the story has also had the effect of squeezing out more partisan political news," said lead author Nic Newman. "This may be a temporary effect, but in almost all countries we see audiences placing a greater premium on accurate and reliable news sources." Shift to digital The Reuters Institute, based at the Britain's University of Oxford, found increased consumption of mainstream news particularly in countries with "strong and independent public service media". But it also said printed media remained in steep decline, worsened by the impact on sales and advertising revenue of the pandemic. This has accelerated the shift towards digital subscriptions, especially in countries where physical sales had stayed relatively high like Germany, Austria and Switzerland. However, in the roughly 20 countries where newspapers were actively developing their digital sales, only 17 per cent of respondents said they paid for news online, up to two points on last year's report and five compared to 2016. The number of people paying for news was highest in wealthier countries with traditions of subscribing to physical newspapers, such as Norway (45 per cent) and Sweden (30). The numbers were lower for the US (21 per cent), France (11), Germany (9) and Britain (8). "Subscriptions are beginning to work for some publishers but it won't work for all publishers and most importantly, it won't work for all consumers," said co-author Rasmus Kleis Nielsen. "Given abundant access to free news, publishers will need to develop compelling options to bundle publications or more ways of paying a smaller amount for limited access." Misinformation Meanwhile, trust in news shared on social media remained very low at 24 per cent. There has been a gradual increase in concern over misinformation, though it varies greatly between countries, from 82 per cent in Brazil to 37 per cent in Germany. A large majority still want media to be impartial (74 per cent) and believe opposing views should be given a balanced hearing (72 per cent). The report also found younger generations had weak links to traditional media and were more likely to get their news from social media, aggregators and notifications. Facebook has lost ground to its subsidiaries WhatsApp and Instagram as a source of news. It said TikTok has become an increasingly popular source of news, particularly among younger audiences, in the wake of the pandemic and race protests of 2020, as well as becoming a key way to mobilise political protests in places like Peru, Indonesia and Thailand.

Pandemic has increased trust in media: Report

Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut 'in a matter of days' after authorities froze the company's assets under a sweeping national security law, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters on Monday. 
 
Following are some comments from Hong Kong residents and others in reaction to the news. Residents declined to give their full names due to the sensitivity of the matter:

Kathleen Carroll, chair of the board of the committee to protect journalists, which handed Lai the 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award on Monday, said&nbsp;"Jimmy Lai is not just a champion of a free press, he is a press freedom warrior. He fights for the right of his Apple News organisation to publish freely, even as China and its backers in Hong Kong use every tool to quash them.We look forward to the day when we can present that award to him in person." 
 
Li, 53, management industry, said, "It's very painful to see Hong Kong become like this. Whatever you do, you could be in jail. Everyone has to hold on. Hopefully, Hong Kong could go back to the way we knew it. 
 
"Of course, it's pitiful. Hong Kong has lost its free voice. I hope they will have another way to continue. Hong Kong needs the voice of truth." 
 
Lau, 72, former office worker, said,&nbsp;"Its news are so fake. This newspaper should have closed down a while ago. During the riot, it portrayed rioters as heroes." Apart from negative news (against the government), it doesn't have much else. It uses huge pictures and headlines to fill the pages. It will be better for security in Hong Kong." 
 
Wong, 52, former legal professional, said,&nbsp;"You can disagree with what it says, but you can't oppress it. Hong Kong's freedom of speech and freedom of the press are facing huge restrictions. As a Hong Konger, I feel very sad."

Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut 'in a matter of days' after authorities froze the company's assets under a sweeping national security law, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters on Monday.

Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut 'in a matter of days' after authorities froze the company's assets under a sweeping national security law, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters on Monday. Following are some comments from Hong Kong residents and others in reaction to the news. Residents declined to give their full names due to the sensitivity of the matter: Kathleen Carroll, chair of the board of the committee to protect journalists, which handed Lai the 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award on Monday, said "Jimmy Lai is not just a champion of a free press, he is a press freedom warrior. He fights for the right of his Apple News organisation to publish freely, even as China and its backers in Hong Kong use every tool to quash them.We look forward to the day when we can present that award to him in person." Li, 53, management industry, said, "It's very painful to see Hong Kong become like this. Whatever you do, you could be in jail. Everyone has to hold on. Hopefully, Hong Kong could go back to the way we knew it. "Of course, it's pitiful. Hong Kong has lost its free voice. I hope they will have another way to continue. Hong Kong needs the voice of truth." Lau, 72, former office worker, said, "Its news are so fake. This newspaper should have closed down a while ago. During the riot, it portrayed rioters as heroes." Apart from negative news (against the government), it doesn't have much else. It uses huge pictures and headlines to fill the pages. It will be better for security in Hong Kong." Wong, 52, former legal professional, said, "You can disagree with what it says, but you can't oppress it. Hong Kong's freedom of speech and freedom of the press are facing huge restrictions. As a Hong Konger, I feel very sad."

Apple Daily reportedly plans to shut down, Hong Kongers say they will miss it

Myanmar's junta-controlled media on Monday accused an ethnic armed group of killing 25 construction workers in the east of the country after abducting a group of 47 people last month. 
 
The Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) could not be&nbsp;reached&nbsp;for comment on the accusation. The junta spokesman did not answer calls to seek further comment. 
 
Conflicts in Myanmar's borderlands have reignited in several places since the army seized power on February&nbsp;1 and overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 
 
The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper and army controlled Myawaddy Television showed pictures of what appeared to be 25 dead bodies laid in a forest clearing. 
 
They said the men had been working on the Uhu Creek Bridge in the Myawaddy District, near the border with Thailand, and were abducted from the construction site on May 31 in a group that also included 10 children and six women. 
 
The Global New Light of Myanmar said a total of seven bodies were found on June 11, one burnt and the others with hands tied behind their backs. It said the other 18 bodies were found on June 12. 
 
"Officials from the bridge construction site checked the dead bodies with their identities to inform parents and relatives," it said. 
 
Fighting has intensified in eastern Myanmar since the coup and clashes have driven thousands of people from their homes. 
 
The KNDO, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen people since 1947, is among the ethnic armed groups that have strongly opposed the military takeover. 
 
The junta's forces have killed more than 860 people since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The junta has said the number is much lower. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar's junta-controlled media on Monday accused an ethnic armed group of killing 25 construction workers in the east of the country after abducting a group of 47 people last month.

Myanmar's junta-controlled media on Monday accused an ethnic armed group of killing 25 construction workers in the east of the country after abducting a group of 47 people last month. The Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) could not be reached for comment on the accusation. The junta spokesman did not answer calls to seek further comment. Conflicts in Myanmar's borderlands have reignited in several places since the army seized power on February 1 and overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper and army controlled Myawaddy Television showed pictures of what appeared to be 25 dead bodies laid in a forest clearing. They said the men had been working on the Uhu Creek Bridge in the Myawaddy District, near the border with Thailand, and were abducted from the construction site on May 31 in a group that also included 10 children and six women. The Global New Light of Myanmar said a total of seven bodies were found on June 11, one burnt and the others with hands tied behind their backs. It said the other 18 bodies were found on June 12. "Officials from the bridge construction site checked the dead bodies with their identities to inform parents and relatives," it said. Fighting has intensified in eastern Myanmar since the coup and clashes have driven thousands of people from their homes. The KNDO, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen people since 1947, is among the ethnic armed groups that have strongly opposed the military takeover. The junta's forces have killed more than 860 people since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. The junta has said the number is much lower. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar junta media accuse ethnic army of killing 25 workers

A car drove into a crowd of pedestrians in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian, killing five, state media reported on Sunday.&nbsp;

A black sedan drove into a crowd of people crossing a street at 11:47 am (0347 GMT) on Saturday and fled the scene, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing Dalian's public security bureau.&nbsp;

Four people died at the scene and another was confirmed dead after being sent to hospital, while five, who sustained injuries, were receiving medical treatment in hospital, according to Xinhua.&nbsp;

The driver, surnamed Liu, has been caught and was determined not to have been driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Xinhua said.&nbsp;

Further investigation was underway, it said.&nbsp;

A car drove into a crowd of pedestrians in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian, killing five, state media reported on Sunday. A black sedan drove into a crowd of people crossing a street at 11:47 am (0347 GMT) on Saturday and fled the scene, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing Dalian's public security bureau.

A car drove into a crowd of pedestrians in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian, killing five, state media reported on Sunday. A black sedan drove into a crowd of people crossing a street at 11:47 am (0347 GMT) on Saturday and fled the scene, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing Dalian's public security bureau. Four people died at the scene and another was confirmed dead after being sent to hospital, while five, who sustained injuries, were receiving medical treatment in hospital, according to Xinhua. The driver, surnamed Liu, has been caught and was determined not to have been driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Xinhua said. Further investigation was underway, it said.

Car drives into crowd in China, killing five: State media 

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday announced that all accredited and yellow card journalists in the state will be included in the list of frontline warriors in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
All power corporation employees in the state have also been brought under the ambit of frontline workers. 
 
These employees, along with the journalists, will now be eligible for all the benefits that the frontline workers are entitled to, including priority vaccination, the Chief Minister said at a high-level Covid review meeting. 
 
Journalists have been taking grave risks in covering the pandemic from the ground and helping to spread awareness about the virus for the past more than a year, the Chief Minister said. 
 
They need to be protected, he said, adding that though many states had raised the demand for their inclusion in the frontline workers category, the government of India has not responded so far. 
 
The Punjab government, therefore, has decided to provide frontline protection to the journalists and also power corporation employees, who too are endangering their lives while maintaining critical power services in hospitals and other vital institutions. 
&nbsp;

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday announced that all accredited and yellow card journalists in the state will be included in the list of frontline warriors in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday announced that all accredited and yellow card journalists in the state will be included in the list of frontline warriors in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. All power corporation employees in the state have also been brought under the ambit of frontline workers. These employees, along with the journalists, will now be eligible for all the benefits that the frontline workers are entitled to, including priority vaccination, the Chief Minister said at a high-level Covid review meeting. Journalists have been taking grave risks in covering the pandemic from the ground and helping to spread awareness about the virus for the past more than a year, the Chief Minister said. They need to be protected, he said, adding that though many states had raised the demand for their inclusion in the frontline workers category, the government of India has not responded so far. The Punjab government, therefore, has decided to provide frontline protection to the journalists and also power corporation employees, who too are endangering their lives while maintaining critical power services in hospitals and other vital institutions.

Journalists declared frontline warriors in Punjab

Greek prosecutors have opened an investigation into reported death threats against a journalist two weeks after another reporter was shot dead, legal sources said Sunday.

Kostas Vaxevanis, the owner of a weekly newspaper and website, reported the threats two weeks after Giorgos Karaivaz was shot dead outside his home in the southern Athens district of Alimos.

&nbsp;Also read |&nbsp;<a href="'Was stripped naked, tortured at Imran Khan's party office': Pakistani Journalist">'Was stripped naked, tortured at Imran Khan's party office': Pakistani Journalist</a>

Vaxevanis, in a message posted to his Facebook page Sunday and on the front page of his weekly Documento, said two people had warned him in recent weeks that there was a price on his head.

Michalis Chryssochoidis, the minister for public order, said Saturday that security had been stepped up for Vaxevanis.

The journalist has specialised in covering corruption cases and built his reputation on his reports filed at the height of the Greek financial crisis in 2012.

After he published part of a list of 2,000 people purportedly under investigation for corruption, he was briefly arrested and threatened with prosecution for the illegal publication of public data. An Athens court cleared him a year later.

Greek prosecutors have opened an investigation into reported death threats against a journalist two weeks after another reporter was shot dead, legal sources said Sunday.

Greek prosecutors have opened an investigation into reported death threats against a journalist two weeks after another reporter was shot dead, legal sources said Sunday. Kostas Vaxevanis, the owner of a weekly newspaper and website, reported the threats two weeks after Giorgos Karaivaz was shot dead outside his home in the southern Athens district of Alimos. Also read | 'Was stripped naked, tortured at Imran Khan's party office': Pakistani Journalist Vaxevanis, in a message posted to his Facebook page Sunday and on the front page of his weekly Documento, said two people had warned him in recent weeks that there was a price on his head. Michalis Chryssochoidis, the minister for public order, said Saturday that security had been stepped up for Vaxevanis. The journalist has specialised in covering corruption cases and built his reputation on his reports filed at the height of the Greek financial crisis in 2012. After he published part of a list of 2,000 people purportedly under investigation for corruption, he was briefly arrested and threatened with prosecution for the illegal publication of public data. An Athens court cleared him a year later.

Greek prosecutors probe 'death threats' against journalist

Google has accused&nbsp;Microsoft of "distraction" for siding with governments seeking to force tech platforms to pay media organizations for news content.

Google and Facebook have resisted mandatory payments, while Microsoft has taken a more collaborative stance.

In a blog post on Friday, Google argued that Microsoft was trying to divert attention from a potentially devastating attack on Exchange emails servers by hackers taking advantage of software vulnerabilities.

The comments came amid a heated battle of words over efforts in Australia and elsewhere to require digital services to negotiate payments for news content.

Microsoft president Brad Smith, in a letter to a congressional subcommittee hearing, blamed Google's business model for "devouring" ad revenue on which news groups rely.

Google senior vice president of global affairs Kent Walker fired back in the blog post, saying, "[Microsoft is] now making self-serving claims and are even willing to break the way the open web works in an effort to undercut a rival."&nbsp;

Walker added, "This important debate should be about the substance of the issue, and not derailed by naked corporate opportunism."

In his letter, Smith lauded the role news organisations play in defending democracy and contended that the "internet gutted the already ailing local news business by devouring advertising revenue and luring away paid subscribers."

Microsoft has lobbied for other countries to follow Australia's lead in calling for news outlets to be paid for stories published online, a move opposed by Facebook and Google.

Backers of Google and Facebook have claimed that mandatory payments for news links would fundamentally change the way the internet works and ultimately be detrimental to free online services.

Google has accused Microsoft of "distraction" for siding with governments seeking to force tech platforms to pay media organizations for news content. Google and Facebook have resisted mandatory payments, while Microsoft has taken a more collaborative stance.

Google has accused Microsoft of "distraction" for siding with governments seeking to force tech platforms to pay media organizations for news content. Google and Facebook have resisted mandatory payments, while Microsoft has taken a more collaborative stance. In a blog post on Friday, Google argued that Microsoft was trying to divert attention from a potentially devastating attack on Exchange emails servers by hackers taking advantage of software vulnerabilities. The comments came amid a heated battle of words over efforts in Australia and elsewhere to require digital services to negotiate payments for news content. Microsoft president Brad Smith, in a letter to a congressional subcommittee hearing, blamed Google's business model for "devouring" ad revenue on which news groups rely. Google senior vice president of global affairs Kent Walker fired back in the blog post, saying, "[Microsoft is] now making self-serving claims and are even willing to break the way the open web works in an effort to undercut a rival." Walker added, "This important debate should be about the substance of the issue, and not derailed by naked corporate opportunism." In his letter, Smith lauded the role news organisations play in defending democracy and contended that the "internet gutted the already ailing local news business by devouring advertising revenue and luring away paid subscribers." Microsoft has lobbied for other countries to follow Australia's lead in calling for news outlets to be paid for stories published online, a move opposed by Facebook and Google. Backers of Google and Facebook have claimed that mandatory payments for news links would fundamentally change the way the internet works and ultimately be detrimental to free online services.

Google slams Microsoft over stance in media payments

Five media companies in Myanmar have been stripped of their licences, state television MRTV announced on Monday.&nbsp;

The five independent companies were named as Mizzima, Myanmar Now, 7-Day, DVB and Khit Thit Media. All have been active in covering protests against last month's military coup.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, three demonstrators were killed in Myanmar on Monday, witnesses said, while shops, factories and banks were closed in the main city Yangon in protests against last month's military coup.&nbsp;

Security forces were also deployed at hospitals and universities, state media said.&nbsp;

Two of the victims died of gunshot wounds to the head in the northern town of Myitkyina, the witnesses said. It was not immediately clear who fired on the protesters although both police and the military were at the scene.&nbsp;

Photos posted on Facebook showed the bodies of two men lying on the street. Witnesses said they were taking part in a protest against the coup when police fired stun grenades and tear gas. Several people were then hit by gunfire from nearby buildings.&nbsp;

One witness, who said he helped move the bodies, said two people were shot in the head and died on the spot. Three people were wounded.&nbsp;

"How inhumane to kill unarmed civilians," said the witness, a 20-year-old man. "We must have our right to protest peacefully."&nbsp;

At least one person was killed and two injured during a protest in the town of Phyar Pon in the Irrawaddy Delta, a political activist and local media said.&nbsp;

Police and military have killed more than 50 people to quell the daily demonstrations and strikes against the February 1 coup, according to the United Nations.&nbsp;

A military spokesman did not respond to calls asking for comment on the latest incidents. Police in Myitkyina and Phyar Pon also did not respond to calls.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Five media companies in Myanmar have been stripped of their licences, state television MRTV announced on Monday. The five independent companies were named as Mizzima, Myanmar Now, 7-Day, DVB and Khit Thit Media.

Five media companies in Myanmar have been stripped of their licences, state television MRTV announced on Monday. The five independent companies were named as Mizzima, Myanmar Now, 7-Day, DVB and Khit Thit Media. All have been active in covering protests against last month's military coup. Meanwhile, three demonstrators were killed in Myanmar on Monday, witnesses said, while shops, factories and banks were closed in the main city Yangon in protests against last month's military coup. Security forces were also deployed at hospitals and universities, state media said. Two of the victims died of gunshot wounds to the head in the northern town of Myitkyina, the witnesses said. It was not immediately clear who fired on the protesters although both police and the military were at the scene. Photos posted on Facebook showed the bodies of two men lying on the street. Witnesses said they were taking part in a protest against the coup when police fired stun grenades and tear gas. Several people were then hit by gunfire from nearby buildings. One witness, who said he helped move the bodies, said two people were shot in the head and died on the spot. Three people were wounded. "How inhumane to kill unarmed civilians," said the witness, a 20-year-old man. "We must have our right to protest peacefully." At least one person was killed and two injured during a protest in the town of Phyar Pon in the Irrawaddy Delta, a political activist and local media said. Police and military have killed more than 50 people to quell the daily demonstrations and strikes against the February 1 coup, according to the United Nations. A military spokesman did not respond to calls asking for comment on the latest incidents. Police in Myitkyina and Phyar Pon also did not respond to calls. (With inputs from agencies)

Five media companies stripped of licences in Myanmar 

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