Safety and freedom of journalists in Asia

A roundup of news from Asia on World Press Freedom Day 2007

By Angilee Shah
Contributing Writer

Thursday, May 3, 2007

UNESCO's annual World Press Freedom Day was an occasion for dialogue about the media around the world today. The focus of UNESCO's program today is journalists' safety, a pressing issue for many parts of Asia.

Asia's deteriorating rights

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says Pakistan and Thailand are among the top ten "backsliders" -- places where press freedom has most deteriorated -- in the last five years. In Pakistan, CPJ says, eight journalists have been killed, but only one case has seen arrests and convictions. Thailand is cited for press freedom curbs, including the state takeover of the country's only private television broadcaster and blocks on news about the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, under its military-installed government.

The Thai government says that the CPJ report is unfair. A government spokesperson told reporters that the coup government gives the press more freedom than Thaksin allowed. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists said that in 2006 six journalists were killed and six were kidnapped. They expressed concerned over government scrutiny of private television channels as well.

Democracy advocacy group Freedom House called attention to increased censorship stemming from political instability in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Mixed feelings in the Philippines

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines mourned over 50 journalists they say were killed during the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration. First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo today dropped over 40 libel suits he had filed against journalists. He said he was grateful to those who supported him during a recent heart surgery. Journalists in the Philippines both welcomed and criticized the announcement.

Solidarity with kidnapped BBC reporter

Journalists in Asia also showed solidarity with the BBC's Alan Johnston, the only remaining foreign reporter from a major Western media outlet in Gaza, who was kidnapped on March 12. The BBC invited Jakartans to hold a vigil for Johnston. In April, foreign journalists in Pakistan held a protest calling for Johnston's safe release. Reporters Without Borders expressed concern for journalists kidnapped and held hostage, particularly in Iraq, the Gaza Strip and Afghanistan.

Other events around Asia

Media organizations held events in Jakarta focused on the dangerous environments in which Indonesian journalists work. Reflecting on World Press Freedom Day, The Jakarta Post published an editorial celebrating Indonesia's freedoms and calling attention to the responsibilities of the press.

Bangladesh's Commonwealth Journalists Association encouraged dialogue about the safety and sacrifices of journalists. DrikNews in Dhaka held a live webcast of a roundtable discussion about the dangers Bangladeshi reporters face and self-censorship.

In Nepal, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists tracked attacks against journalists and advocacy groups who cover rebel groups.

Journalists from Taiwan used the occassion of Press Freedom Day to call on the United Nations to give Taiwanese reporters clearance to cover the upcoming meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA).

Date Posted: 5/3/2007