Kabul, May 3 (IANS) UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett has demanded immediate and unconditional release of detained journalists in Afghanistan, local media reported on Sunday. In a statement marking World Press Freedom Day on Sunday, Bennett called on Taliban to ensure that journalists can do their work freely without fear of arrest, threats or harassment. He stressed that press freedom has worsened significantly since Taliban seized power in Af…
Latest Journalists News & Updates
Geneva, May 1 (IANS) Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, called on the Taliban authorities to “immediately and unconditionally” release all detained journalists while ensuring that media workers in the country can carry out their duties without fear of reprisal, harassment, or arrest.The appeal from the UN expert came ahead of World Press Freedom Day to be observed on May 3.Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Bennett warned that th…
Thiruvananthapuram, April 30 (IANS) In a significant step to fortify election security, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has rolled out a QR code-based photo identification system to regulate entry into vote counting centres ahead of the crucial counting day on May 4.The new system, integrated through ECINET, will be implemented during the counting of votes for the Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, along with by-elections in seven Assembly constit…
Washington, April 29 (IANS) The US Department of State has highlighted that Chinese government regulations and procedures continue to impede travel to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas for US diplomats and officials, journalists, and tourists, with restrictions remaining in place throughout last year. In its latest annual report to the Congress under the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018, the US State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs noted th…
Washington, April 27 (IANS) The White House Correspondents’ Association praised law enforcement after a shooting at its annual dinner venue, saying swift action ensured the safety of the President, senior officials and thousands of attendees.“Last night’s shooting at the Washington Hilton was a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance,” WHCA President Weijia Jiang said in a statement, describing the incident as a serious disruption at one of Washington’s most closely watched events….
Washington, March 4 (IANS) With military supremacy having been effectively institutionalised in Pakistan, the country’s volatile politics, fragile civilian governance, entrenched military dominance, systematic corruption, criminal networks and widespread human rights abuses risk becoming more persistent, a report has highlighted. Writing for American media outlet ‘PJ Media’, Turkish journalist Uzay Bulut stated that since Pakistan’s creation in 1947, the military has wielded extensive influe…
Dhaka, Feb 27 (IANS) Bangladesh’s Awami League expressed grave concern over a sharp rise in criminal cases, arrests, intimidation and physical attacks against journalists across the country since the political transition on August 5, 2024, citing reports by domestic and international watchdogs.The party highlighted warnings from media groups that the trend risks eroding press freedom at a critical political juncture in Bangladesh.“When Bangladesh underwent political transition on 5 August 20…
New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that social media platforms must share revenue in a fair manner with those who create content, including journalists, conventional media houses, influencers, professors and researchers.He said that people who are creating content — whether they are news professionals, creators sitting in far-flung areas, or academicians sharing their research — deserve a fair share of the revenue generated on…
United Nations, Feb 12 (IANS) As Bangladesh goes to the polls, the world organisation has expressed concern over the reports of violence against and harassment of women candidates and voters, especially those emanating digitally, and called for a “zero-tolerance approach”. A statement from the resident coordinator’s office in Dhaka on Wednesday (local time) said, “The United Nations underscores that safe, inclusive and meaningful participation in public life is a fundamental right.” “Women in pu…
Dhaka, Feb 10 (IANS) Expressing concern over recent incidents of intimidation and harassment of journalists and media institutions across Bangladesh, the country’s Editors’ Council warned that such actions pose a serious risk to press freedom and the democratic process ahead of the February 12 national elections, local media reported.Citing the February 7 entry of army personnel into the office of a registered digital media outlet, the council called it a “concerning example”.It added that if an…