Latest Press Freedom News & Updates

Paris, May 30 (IANS) A leading international press freedom organisation strongly condemned the imprisonment of a senior journalist and former chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HJKA), Ronson Chan, on charges of “obstructing a police officer”, warning that the ruling sets a “dangerous precedent” and undermines press freedom in Hong Kong.According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Chan, former deputy assignment editor of the now-defunct Hong Kong-based Stand News, lost his appeal…

Islamabad, May 24 (IANS) Journalists in Pakistan have urged the Parliament to review all media laws and termed the recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016 “draconian black law, specifically engineered to facilitate the arm-twisting of journalists and the suppression of Pakistan’s media landscape”, reports said. A declaration issued at the conclusion of the National Journalists Convention on “Media Laws, Regulations, and Ethics”, organised by the Pakistan Fede…

Oslo, May 19 (IANS) India strongly pushed back against questions raised by a Norwegian journalist on press freedom and human rights, stating that Delhi guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens and also provides legal mechanisms to address violations whenever they occur. The episode unfolded during the Prime Minister’s visit to Oslo on Monday (local time) when Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng urged PM Modi to take questions from the media. Visuals from the venue showed the Prime Minister wa…

The Hague, May 17 (IANS) India strongly pushed back against questions relating to “press freedom” and “minority rights” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, as senior diplomat Sibi George delivered a firm and detailed defence of India’s democratic structure, constitutional framework and civilisational diversity. These remarks came as an answer to a Dutch journalist who questioned why both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Dutch leadership were not jointl…

Dhaka, May 10 (IANS) Political cartoons in Bangladesh, once regarded as a sharp and fearless medium of public dissent and satire, are steadily disappearing from mainstream media amid growing corporate influence, self-censorship, and the monetisation of news content, according to a report.The concerns were highlighted in an interview published by Bangladesh-based English daily, The Daily Star, authored by Khairul Hassan Jahin, in which leading Bangladeshi cartoonist Mehedi Haque reflected on the …

New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) Bangladesh slipped three places to 152nd out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, with renewed repression of the media following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime likely to have economic consequences, a report has said.The report from Bangladesh-based news publisher The Business Standard highlighted that Bangladesh is in the “very serious” category, down three spots from 149th in 2025.”After the fall of the Hasina regime, the media expected freed…

Paris, May 5 (IANS) A leading international press freedom organisation expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating health condition of Chinese journalist Dong Yuyu, citing his family, who said that he was recently hospitalised and diagnosed with an unidentified tumour. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on the international community to increase pressure on Beijing to secure his release on medical parole and allow him to travel abroad for treatment and reunite with his family.The organis…

Quetta, May 4 (IANS) Journalists in Pakistan’s Quetta have expressed their commitment to defending media independence, pledging to continue their struggle for freedom of expression and rejecting “black laws” restricting rights of press, local media reported on Monday. A large number of journalists carrying banners and placards highlighting their demands gathered outside the Quetta Press Club. Journalists shouted slogans against restrictive legislation, especially the Prevention of Electronic Cri…

Islamabad, May 4 (IANS) Media bodies and civil society organisations have voiced concern over increasing curbs on press freedom and growing risks to journalists in Pakistan, local media reported on Monday. In a joint statement released to mark the World Press Freedom Day, the Joint Action Committee — comprising the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), the Association of Electronic Media Editors an…

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…