Tag: Media law
Rights lawyer Amal Clooney to represent journalist Maria Ressa
Maria Ressa and the Philippines "war on truth". Video: Al Jazeera's Witness
Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk
International human rights lawyers Amal Clooney and Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC...
Timor-Leste free speech, criminal defamation and protecting Maun Bo’ot (‘Big Brother’)
By Tempo Timor in Dili
Proposals to make defamation a crime in Timor-Leste have sparked public debate about a controversial law that could see people...
Why the raids on Australian media present a clear threat to...
By Rebecca Ananian-Welsh of The University of Queensland
The Australian Federal Police has this week conducted two high-profile raids on journalists who have exposed...
MEAA blasts ‘disturbing assaults’ on press freedom after new ABC raid
Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk
Two raids by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on journalists and media organisations within the last 24 hours represent a disturbing...
Asian and Pacific nations struggling over media self-censorship, says RSF
By RNZ Pacific
Democracies across Asia and the Pacific are struggling to resist disinformation and protect press freedoms, according to a new report.
Reporters Without Borders...
Christchurch mosque attacks: Accused gunman appears in court via video link
By RNZ News
The man charged over the Christchurch mosque shootings last month appeared in the High Court in Christchurch today, accused of killing 50...
Samoan police arrest anti-government blogger ‘King Faipopo’ – freed on bail
Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk
Samoan anti-government blogger Malele Paulo has been arrested, reports RNZ Pacific.
Malele, who uses the pseudonym "King Faipopo", was held in police...
No progress on press freedom, impunity under Jokowi’s watch
By Dieqy Hasbi Widhana in Jakarta
Indonesia's National Press Day (HPN), which falls on February 9 - yesterday, is a reminder of the murder of...
Critics see Fiji’s Online Safety Act as ‘Trojan horse’ for online...
By Mong Palatino of Global Voices
Fiji’s Online Safety Act took effect this month amid concerns that it will be used to censor the internet.
The...
Nepal’s new legal codes spark medical, media protests and divide nation
Nepal has recently updated its legal system with new civil and criminal codes. However, writes Rahul Bhattarai of Asia Pacific Report, failure to consult...
Nine-Fairfax merger warning for investigative media – and democracy
By Andrea Carson in Melbourne
If you value the media’s watchdog role in democracy, then the opening words in the deal enabling Channel Nine to...
Bid to unite Asia-Pacific press councils takes off in Timor-Leste
By Bob Howarth in Dili, Timor-Leste
The Dili Dialogue Forum, sponsored by UNESCO and organised by the Timor-Leste Press Council, will be held again next...
Vanuatu plans cyber crime law to target Facebook ‘false claims’
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, the Minister responsible for Telecommunications, has informed Parliament that a cyber crime bill currently being developed will address the...
Pacific news journalists grapple with challenges of social media, harsh laws
BRIEFING: By Geraldine Panapasa in Suva
Like it or not, social media has become part and parcel of almost everyday discussions.
Whether it’s talk about the...
Fiji Times Four ‘relieved’ sedition newspaper freedom ordeal is over
By Geraldine Panapasa, editor-in-chief of Wansolwara
“Relief!”
That was the word from Fiji Times Ltd publisher Hank Arts after High Court judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe acquitted...
Fiji newspaper sedition trial – Fiji Times Four found not guilty
Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk
The High Court in Suva has found the Fiji Times Ltd, its three senior executives and a letter writer not guilty...
Justice Rajasinghe to deliver Fiji Times sedition trial verdict on Tuesday
By Litia Cava in Suva
High Court judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe is set to deliver his verdict on Tuesday after the three assessors returned with...
How Philippine state surveillance is used as a tool to silence...
BRIEFING: Special report by Jodesz Gavilan and Sofia Tomacruz in Manila
Human rights activists say that the conduct of both physical and communication surveillance is...
Protests sweep Indonesia over new law criminalising ‘criticism’ of MPs
By Ryan Dagur in Jakarta
A wave of protests has swept Indonesia in recent days after legislation criminalising criticism of lawmakers took effect last week.
President...
Australian lawyer accused of ‘bullying’ in Vanuatu court clash with journalists
Vanuatu Daily Post in Port Vila
Australian-born lawyer Dane Thornburgh, who has offices in Vanuatu and Australia, employed bullying tactics yesterday morning in a tense...
RSF calls on Philippine state to ‘stop hounding’ Rappler in ‘laughable’...
Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on the Philippine authorities to stop hounding Rappler, after officials confirmed that a previously dismissed...
Duterte vs Rappler: Declaration of war against Philippine media?
On The Listening Post this week: Rappler battles with authorities plus climate sceptics and the media platforms they get. Video: Al Jazeera
As Rappler, a...