CPJ Asia / Committee to Protect Journalists

12/23/2025

: Journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio is spending her sixth Christmas in a prison, even though she has not been convicted of any crime.

On January 22, the Tacloban regional trial court is due to rule on her case of illegal possession of fi****ms, followed by a verdict on February 9 in her case of financing terrorism.

She faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted on both charges.

Join us to call on the administration of President Bongbong Marcos to drop these bogus charges against the 26-year-old journalist.

!

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Altermidya Reporters sans frontières / Reporters Without Borders / RSF Free Press Unlimited

12/23/2025

: The Committee to Protect Journalists joined six civil society organizations in calling for swift, independent, and transparent investigations into violent attacks on news outlets in Bangladesh, warning of escalating threats to freedom of expression and the press ahead of the 2026 national election.

The statement follows attacks on December 18 against the offices of the country’s two largest newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as well as vandalism of the cultural institution Chhayanaut.

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined six civil society organizations in calling for swift, independent, and transparent investigations into violent attacks on news outlets in Bangladesh, warning of escalating threats to freedom of expression and the press ahead of the 2026 national election.....

12/19/2025

: CPJ is alarmed by reports of crowds vandalizing and setting on fire the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star early Friday, trapping journalists inside before they could be rescued. CPJ is monitoring the situation and urges Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of news outlets and journalists, and to hold those responsible accountable.

CPJ safety advice for covering political rallies and protests: This guide contains recommendations to mitigate risks for journalists reporting in locations affected by crowd violence 👇

Protests and other crowded gatherings are dynamic situations that can quickly turn dangerous or violent. It is important for journalists to understand the protest environment they are reporting in and to be prepared for any potential risks they may encounter. Covering protests and civil unrest may r...

12/17/2025

: Bangladeshi authorities must immediately drop terrorism charges against veteran journalist Anis Alamgir, release him unconditionally, and stop targeting the press with national security offenses, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.

On December 15, police opened an investigation against Alamgir and three other individuals under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act, accusing the suspects of spreading propaganda in talk shows and social media posts, and conspiring to rehabilitate the banned Awami League party, according to multiple news reports.

“Using a counterterrorism law to detain a journalist months before a landmark election raises serious concerns about the interim government’s commitment to press freedom, a pillar of democracy,” said CPJ Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator Kunāl Majumder. “Authorities in Bangladesh must immediately release senior journalist Anis Alamgir and stop targeting members of the press for reporting views that are critical of the government.”

Read more: http://cpj.org/2025/12/bangladesh-arrests-veteran-journalist-anis-alamgir-on-terrorism-charges/

December 17, New Delhi—Bangladeshi authorities must immediately drop terrorism charges against veteran journalist Anis Alamgir, release him unconditionally, and stop targeting the press with national security offenses, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On December 15, police ope...

12/16/2025

: The online harassment of film critics following the release of the Bollywood film Dhurandhar has once again highlighted the scale of digital harassment faced by women journalists in India.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, Kunal Majumder, CPJ Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator, said such coordinated abuse — including sexualised attacks and doxxing — is increasingly used to intimidate, discredit, and silence women journalists in India.

Read more: https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2025/Dec/14/why-women-journalists-cant-log-off

12/15/2025

: CPJ condemns a Hong Kong court’s conviction of Jimmy Lai, founder of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, in a landmark national security trial. Authorities must immediately free the 78-year-old British national.

A three-judge panel convicted Lai of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious material. He faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

“This sham conviction is a disgraceful act of persecution,” said CPJ Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi. “The ruling underscores Hong Kong’s utter contempt for press freedom, which is supposed to be protected under the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law. Jimmy Lai’s only crime is running a newspaper and defending democracy. The risk of him dying from ill health in prison increases as each day passes — he must be reunited with his family immediately.”

New York, December 14, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Hong Kong court’s conviction of Jimmy Lai, founder of the defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, in a landmark national security trial and calls on authorities to immediately free the 78-year-old British citizen. ....

12/12/2025

: Ahead of Monday’s expected verdict in the trial of pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai, CPJ calls on authorities to drop all charges against the 78-year-old and release him immediately and unconditionally.

Lai, whose health has worsened after spending five years in solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison, is on trial for sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, charges he denies. He faces life imprisonment if found guilty.

“Hong Kong will decide on Monday whether it is a city governed by the rule of law, or by the law of the jungle,” said CPJ Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi. “It may be Jimmy Lai who is in the dock, but it is press freedom — protected under Hong Kong’s Basic Law — that is on trial. CPJ calls on the government to drop all charges against Lai, end his show trial, and release him at once.”



More ⤵️

New York, December 12, 2025—Ahead of Monday’s expected verdict in the national security trial of Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Hong Kong authorities to drop all charges against the 78-year-old publisher and release hi...

12/11/2025

: CPJ urges the government to drop amendments to the domestic press law that give broad powers to authorities to order source disclosures from journalists and ​increase legal risks for reporting.

The revamped press law, which takes effect in July, expands the scope under which journalists can be compelled to reveal their sources, and adds the public security ministry and police to the list of authorities allowed to request disclosure.

CPJ condemns the reforms approved by Vietnam’s National Assembly as a clear threat to press freedom and calls for their immediate repeal.

Vietnam’s parliament passed amendments to the press law that tighten restrictions over information gathering and sharing, potentially putting more pressure on journalists and their sources.

12/10/2025

: CPJ has writtten to leaders of seven Asian countries -- , , , , , and -- to take immediate steps that would allow all imprisoned journalists to return to their families and continue their work without fear of reprisal.

In addition, CPJ issued an open statement to the Taliban, as the de facto authorities in , with the same recommendations.

Read more: https://cpj.org/2025/12/human-rights-day-2025-cpj-calls-on-asian-governments-to-free-imprisoned-journalists/

December 8, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists has written to heads of government across Asia ahead of International Human Rights Day on December 10, urging them to immediately free reporters imprisoned for their work. As of December 1, Asia holds at least 106 journalists behind bars, with ...

12/09/2025

: The Committee to Protect Journalists has issued a public statement ahead of International on December 10, urging the Taliban to immediately free reporters imprisoned for their work.

https://cpj.org/2025/12/human-rights-day-2025-cpj-calls-on-asian-governments-to-free-imprisoned-journalists/

12/09/2025

: The Committee to Protect Journalists has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of International on December 10, urging him to personally intervene and free reporters imprisoned for their work.

In her letter, CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi highlights the case of Indian journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh. India must stop treating journalists as a threat.

Read more: https://cpj.org/2025/12/human-rights-day-2025-cpj-calls-on-asian-governments-to-free-imprisoned-journalists/

12/09/2025

: The Committee to Protect Journalists has written to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ahead of International on December 10, urging him to personally intervene and free detained journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio.

Read more: https://cpj.org/2025/12/human-rights-day-2025-cpj-calls-on-asian-governments-to-free-imprisoned-journalists/