Category Archives: east asia

Combatting disinformation in Asia Pacific: Intended – and unintended – consequences

This is part of a series IFEX is producing on regional experiences with the global problem of information disorder, and what people are doing to counter it. From blackouts to legislation, from fact-checking to education, Mong Palatino scrutinises some of the most popular responses to the problem of disinformation in his region. Disinformation may be […]

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IFEX regional brief: August, September, October 2019

August 2019: News blackout and rising repression in Kashmir and West Papua. Read more September 2019: September strikes: Climate actions, student protests, and landmark court rulings. Read more October 2019: Protests condemn communications blackout, police violence, and government secrecy laws. Read more.

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Cambodia’s human rights record under spotlight in third Universal Periodic Review

Cambodia is among the 41 states whose human rights records are under scrutiny at the ongoing 32nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s UPR Working Group. Cambodia’s report was delivered on 30 January. Cambodia is among the 41 states whose human rights records are under scrutiny at the ongoing 32nd session of the […]

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IFEX brief: May, June, July 2019

May 2019: ‘Tiananmen Square’ censorship, #LoveWins in Taiwan, Malaysia falters on reforms, and Indonesia’s post-election violence. Read more June 2019: From Hong Kong to Australia: Protesters and journalists fight back against police violence and intimidation. Read more July 2019: Hong Kong’s fight for democracy, Pakistan journalists decry rising censorship, and more. Read more

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IFEX regional briefs: February, March, April 2019

Journalists face growing persecution, an impunity win in Indonesia, and much more…February in Asia: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports. Read more Women’s Day marchers attacked, Thai media restricted, and report on media killings in Afghanistan. March in Asia: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX […]

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IFEX Regional brief: November, December 2018, January 2019

Asia-Pacific in November: Hong Kong freedom under siege, APEC, Rappler indictment, and same-sex marriage referendum loss in Taiwan. Hong Kong’s free speech is under attack, media restrictions at APEC summit, Rappler indicted, Shahidul Alam is free on bail, Pakistan court overturns blasphemy conviction, and disappointing referendum loss for same-sex marriage advocates in Taiwan. Read more […]

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How blood money is worsening impunity and media killings in Pakistan

So-called “blood money” laws and practices may offer a faster route to a minimum threshold of justice, but legal scholars warn they can also lead to grave abuses while enabling the cycle of killings to continue. In short, acceptance of offers of blood money could be rendered unnecessary if journalists are secure, laws and regulations […]

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IFEX Roundups: July, August, September 2018

Cheers and jeers: Tainted elections, Liu Xia’s release, and court rulings in the Asia-Pacific Pakistanis and Cambodians vote amid claims of irregularities; Chinese poet Liu Xia is free; Malaysia withdraws sedition cases against cartoonist Zunar; disappointing court rulings in Burma and Indonesia; and Singapore holds its 10th Pink Dot LGBTQI+ event. Read more Freedom and […]

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Lessons in Resistance: Defying repression and impunity in Cambodia

Civil society groups, the independent media, and grassroots activists have shown resilience in the past several months, struggling hard to push for reforms in governance, the protection of human rights, and the reversal of laws that are impeding the country’s transition to democracy. Whether Cambodians will vote or avoid going to the polling stations in […]

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Singapore’s Intolerance of Dissent in the Spotlight as Police Take on a ‘Recalcitrant’ Activist

Written for The Diplomat Singapore’s intolerance of dissent was put into the spotlight this month when authorities briefly detained a prominent activist for organizing “illegal assemblies.” According to the police, activist Jolovan Wham committed seven offenses for participating in a candle lighting vigil outside a prison complex, organizing a silent protest inside a train, and […]

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