74 IFJ PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2018–2019

LIST OF MEDIA RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY JOURNALIST SAFETY INDICATES (JSIS), MAY 2018 TO APRIL 2019 The media violations are categorised by the Journalist Safety Indicators. Other notable incidents are media violations recorded by the IFJ in its violation mapping. *Other notable incidents are media violations recorded by the IFJ. These are violations that fall outside the JSIs and are included in IFJ mapping on the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) Hub - samsn.ifj.org

Afghanistan, was killed in an attack on the Sayeed Ali ina Zafari, political programs operator police chief of Kandahar, General Abdul Raziq. on Wolesi Jerga TV; and a Wolesi Jerga TV driver AFGHANISTAN The Taliban-claimed attack took place in the were entering the MOFA road for an interview in governor’s compound during a high-level official Zanbaq square when they were confronted by a JOURNALIST KILLINGS: 12 (Journalists: 5, meeting. Angar, along with others, was killed in policeman. Media staff: 7. Male: 12, Female: 0) the cross-fire. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF June 5, 2018: Takhar JOURNALISTS: 8 December 4, 2018: Nangarhar Milli TV Takhar province reporter Merajuddin OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS: Engineer Zalmay, director and owner or Enikass Sharifi was beaten up by the head of the None recorded radio and TV stations was kidnapped at 5pm community after a verbal disagreement. NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS: during a shopping trip. He was taken by armed 61 (Journalists: 52; Media staff: 9) men who arrived in an armoured vehicle. His June 11, 2018, Ghor THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 3 driver was shot and taken to hospital where he Saam Weekly Director, Nadeem Ghori, had his ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 3 later died. Zalmay was later released on April office attacked by a local force, destroying its OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS*: 26 10, 2019. No group claimed responsibility for cultural heritage. the kidnapping and killing of the driver. JOURNALIST KILLINGS June 19, 2018: Kabul January 5, 2019: Farah Karim Amini, a Tolo News Reporter, and Mujeeb June 4, 2018: Helmand Jawed Noori, 27, a local radio host was Mashal, a New York Times reporter, were insulted Unknown gunmen attacked the Helmand executed by suspected Taliban insurgents in an by the guards of the president during a visit to National Television and killed its security guard. attack in Nadarabad district of Farah province in the President of Helman’s peace caravan. south-western Afghanistan. Noori was travelling July 22, 2018: Kabul in a car with relatives that was stopped at a June 24, 2018: Herat Mohammed Akhtar, 31, a driver for Agence checkpoint. After being identified as a journalist, Abdul Karim Azeem, reporter with Nedaye France Presse, was on his way to work when he was taken aside and killed. Agaah Reporting Agency, and Najeeb Marzban, he was killed in a suicide bombing near Hamid a Shamshad TV reporter, were verbally assaulted Karzai International Airport. The attack targeted February 6, 2019: Takhar while covering a rally in Herat. supporters of Afghan Vice President, Abdul Shafiq Aria, and Rahimullah Rahmani, both Rashid Dostum, there to welcome him on his in their 20s, were killed by unknown armed July 2, 2018: Ghazni return from exile. In total, 25 people died in the men in the office of Radio Hamsada in the Faisal Naweed, a 1 TV reporter, and Jamshid attack which was claimed by the Islamic State. northern Takhar province city of Taluqan. Ahmady, a Bakhtar News Agency reporter, were Two unidentified gunmen entered the office beaten by National Security Staff when they August 10, 2018: Ghazni building on false pretexts and shot and killed arrived to report at the Public Health Directorate. Mohammad Dawood Anwari, a technician the two journalists. Four arrests were made in at State-run broadcaster Radio Television connection with the murders. July 3, 2018: Baghlan Afghanistan, was killed in a Taliban attack on the Noorgul Andarwal, reporter with Passban TV, was provincial capital of Ghazni, about 150 km from March 15, 2019: Khost threatened by a Baghlan official for publishing a Kabul. Fierce fighting for four days left about Sultan Mahmood Khairkhah, a journalist report. 100 policemen and 20 civilians dead. About working for Zan TV in Khost province, died 200 insurgents were also killed in the battle. after sustaining lethal injuries in an attack by July 10, 2018: Herat unidentified armed men. Islamic State-Khorasan Farhad Joya, reporter with 1 TV, was confronted September 5, 2018: Kabul (IS-K) claimed responsibility for the killing. by unidentified gunmen who allegedly planned to Reporter Samim Faramarz and cameraman attack and shoot the reporter. Ramiz Ahmadi, of TOLO News, were killed while reporting at the scene of an earlier suicide NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON attack. The second blast was believed to have July 10, 2018: Pakhtiya been targeted at first responders of the initial JOURNALISTS Hekmat Niazi, reporter with Shamshad TV, was verbally assaulted after publication of a report on bombing which targeted a wrestling event in May 6, 2018: Kabul a disagreement between two ethnic groups. Kabul. In total, 25 people were killed in the Independent investigative reporter Naimatuullah twin attacks and a further 80 were injured. Taneen was attacked by an unknown group for his new reports about corruption. July 11, 2018: Ghazni October 13, 2018: Takhar Rahmatullah Nikzad, reporter with Al Jazeera, was verbally assaulted by special security Photojournalist M Asif Hakimi was killed in May 12, 2018: Nangarhar personal in Ghazni. a blast that claimed the lives of 22 people Safiullah Osmani, Islamic Programs Operator for when a motorcycle bomb was detonated at Elham TV, was injured in shotgun fire early in the the campaign rally of a local politician. With morning as he was going to the mosque in the July 11, 2018: Kabul Afghanistan due to hold parliamentary and Teachers town area. Reshad Zareer, a political program announcer on district council elections on October 20, Noor TV, was attacked by unidentified gunmen and sustained injuries in the attack. election-related attacks surged from the May 18, 2018: Nangarhar registration of candidates and commencement Safaa Radio Director, Qarar Azizi, was injured of voting in July. At least eight candidates and in a mine blast in a cricket field in Jalalabad. July 26, 2018: Kabul many other civilians were murdered in attacks. Mobarez Atal, a technician and reporter for Safaa While in the area of an explosion, National Radio was also injured. security forces blocked access to Pazhwok October 18, 2018: Kandahar News Agency reporters Zainullah Mahboobi and Jaweed Hamdard and beat the pair up. Mohammad Saleem Angar, photographer June 3, 2018: Kabul with the Kandahar branch of Radio Television Mirza Hafezi, photographer for Wolesi Jerga TV; 75

August 1, 2018: Kabul publishing a report on police corruption. December 22, 2018:Nooristan Abdul Moshred Kohistani, reporter for Maaref Unidentified gunmen attacked the Alina radio TV, was beaten by hospital security guards November 12, 2018: Badghis station and set an antenna on fire. while writing a report. Abdul Razaq Sediqui, director of Sameem Radio, was insulted by a local governor for December 27, 2018: Herat August 11, 2018: Ghazni photographing children in dilapidated school. Unidentified gunmen attacked radio station During a Taliban offensive, ten reporters from Nedaye Sobh in the Ghorian district of Herat. various media outlets in the province were November 25, 2018: Kabul threatened. This included Farif Omari, director Haseebullah Noori, a Killid Radio reporter, of Ghaznavian TV. was physically assaulted by protesters during OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS* a marching campaign. ARREST/DETENTIONS September 3, 2018: Balkh Mostafa Moheb, a director of Meher TV, was November 26, 2018: Kabul July 25, 2018: Kabul beaten up by an unknown group. Haseebullah, a reporter with Kurshid TV, was Borhan Marzi, reporter with Noorin TV, was physically assaulted by protesters during the illegally detained by police and released after September 5, 2018: Kabul marching campaign. 17 hours. He alleged he had been beaten in Reporters Hussain Rastee Manesh and Ahmad custody. Khalid Nikzad, Photographer Ahmad Sier Yonesi December 4, 2018: Balkh for Khurshid TV were injured in a suicide attack Mewaise Bezhan, a reporter with Voice of ACCESS TO INFORMATION in Western Kabul. Ahman Farhang, reporter America, was physically assaulted by police May 22, 2018: Ghazni with 1 TV and Jamshid Ahmady, reporter with on Jawzhan highway. Reporters in Ghazni complained to local Maiwant TV were also injured. The attack authorities about the lack of access to was targeting media and emergency services December 10, 2018: Kabul information. responding to an initial attack. Haroon Panah, a technician with Tolo TV, was returning home from work when unidentified May 19, 2018: Badakhshan September 27, 2018: Faryab gunmen physically assaulted him. Reporters in Badakshan complained to Ayoob Amini, reporter with Ayeena TV, was local authorities about the lack of access to beaten by national security officers. December 14, 2018: Uruzgan information. Esmat Sahar, broadcast manager with September 30, 2018: Balkh Dahrawood Radio, was attacked when May 20, 2018: Daikundi Bakhtar director of News Agency, Laal ANA soldiers entered the station without Daikundi reporters complained to local Mohamma, was verbally assaulted by police permission. authorities about the lack of access to and denied access to the Balkh governor’s information. office. December 27, 2018: Kabul Wesal, a Kabul News TV reporter, was shot June 5, 2018: Herat October 10, 2018: Nangarhar at and his camera damaged by guards during Khalil Amirir, a Faryaad TV director, was Elhamuddin Elham, director of Haqeeqat Radio, a public protest in front of the Pakistani threatened with murder due to non-payment was threatened by unidentified gunmen after a embassy. of taxes to the Taliban. bomb exploded near his home. ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS June 11, 2018: Kandahar October 20, 2018: Kabul Twelve reporters and photographers from Samiulhaq Patman, a reporter with Ekhlas June 11, 2018: Ghor different media outlets in Kandahar were Turkey News Agency, was returning from an Local militants entered the Saam monthly office prevented from covering the president’s visit interview on the way to the office when he and museum and destroyed the premises. to Kandahar. The Mubarak Trustees and the was beaten up by unidentified gunmen. president’s press team blocked the reporters August 10-11, 2018: Ghazni to take Mubarak’s pictures. October 20, 2018: Balkh During the Taliban offensive on Ghazni, Taliban Officials of the election commission insulted insurgents attacked radio station Melli TV Ghazni June 20, 2018: Uruzgan and prevented photographer Sayed Sameem and set fire to an antenna. They also attacked Local authorities refused to give information Sadaat of Afghan Voice News Agency from Ranaa Radio and set fire to an antenna and broke to Najib Latif, a reporter for Shamsha TV. photographing parliamentary election down the door of Samaa Radio, entered the proceedings. station and destroyed its equipment. Ghaznavian October 20, 2018: Balkh radio TV was also attacked and destroyed. Meerwais Bezhan, a reporter for Voice of October 20, 2018: Kapisa America; Habib Najahi Zada, a reporter with Abdul Fatah Fayez, of Radio Resalat, was August 25, 2018: Kandahar 24 TV; Waheed Orya, a reporter with Salaam physically assaulted by a candidate for filming Police shut down Emerge Media’s media office Watandar; and Raheema Yazdani, a reporter of alleged fraud. for unknown reasons and Emerge Media Director, with Afghan Voice News Agency, faced Faheem Atal, was threatened by police. obstacles due to lack of access to information October 30, 2018: Kabul on parliamentary election day. Zameer Quraishi, a Melli TV Announcer, was THREATS AGAINST MEDIA attacked on his way to his office in the fifth November 21, 2018: Ghazni district of Kabul by unknown gunmen and was INSTITUTIONS Journalists Asaduullah Jalalzai, of BBC; wounded in the attack. October 16, 2018: Afghanistan Muhammadullah Mominzada, of Aryana In the lead up to the elections the Independent News; and Asef Hussaini, of Voice of November 5, 2018: Ghazni Election Commission of Afghanistan refused to America; were not permitted to cover the Sayed Wahdat Abdali, of Bakhtar News issue “coverage cards” to give reporters access to important summit meeting at the governor’s Agency, was threatened by the Taliban to quit cover polling stations. Provincial journalists said office. the media. This was following the assault of that electoral officials had not only refused to Ghazni by the Taliban. grant the cards but treated them with contempt December 5, 2018: Badakhsan and ordered them to go to Kabul to get the Reporters from various media outlets November 7, 2018: Zabul required permissions. complained of lack of access to information Anwarulla Anwari, reporter with Bakhtar by local authorities. News Agency, was arrested and beaten for 76 IFJ PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2018–2019

OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS* BANGLADESH October 30, 2018: Chhattisgarh ARREST/DETENTION Achyutananda Sahu, a video journalist for state- owned Doordarshan, was killed in crossfire JOURNALIST KILLINGS: 2 (Male: 2, Female: 0; August 5, 2018: Dhaka Journalist: 2) during a shoot-out between police and Maoist Photojournalist Shahidul Alam, 63, was rebels. Sahu was embedded with local police at THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF arrested and detained by police for making JOURNALISTS: 0 the time. Two other embedded media workers allegedly ‘provocative’ posts on Facebook in the group escaped unscathed. OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS: 0 concerning ongoing student protests in the NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS: 13 city. A group of plain clothed people identifying THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 1 October 30, 2018: Jharkhand themselves as detectives at 10:30pm stormed Chandan Tiwari, a reporter for Aaj News, was ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 0 into Shahidul’s apartment. Building CCTV OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS*: 3 found unconscious in the jungle. Tiwari later cameras were broken, the intercom connection died in hospital. He previously lodged two of the building was disconnected and the complaints over threats he had received to the JOURNALIST KILLINGS men forcibly removed him in a van. Alam was police. released on bail November 21, 2018. He has June 11, 2018: Kalkadi been charged under Bangladesh’s ICT Act and, December 8-9, 2018: Jharkhand Shahjahan Bachchu, the publisher of Bishakha if convicted, faces 14 years in jail. Prokashoni and acting editor of Amader The body of Amit Topno, 35, an Adivasi Bikrampur was attacked as while visiting journalist who had been covering the Pathalgadi a local pharmacy. Four hooded youths REGULATIONS movement over tribal land rights, was found on detonated a bomb adjacent to the building and September 19, 2018: Dhaka the Namkum-Doranda road near state capital then proceeded to drag Shahjahan onto the Telecommunication and Information Ranchi. He had been shot at point-blank range. street to shoot him. He died at the scene. Communication Minister, Mustafa Jabbar, Topno was working with the media company cleared the Digital Security Bill, 2018 for Newscode and was also a commununity August 28, 2018: Pabna immediate passage and the 350-member correspondent of Video Volunteers. Suborna Nodi, 32, the Pabna correspondent parliament passed the bill by voice votes with for Ananda TV and a journalist for the Daily only 11 lawmakers. The proposed law has JOURNALIST KILLINGS - ACCIDENTAL Jagroto Bangla newspaper, was hacked to been criticized for its draconian provisions that death at the door of her home in the Northern could impact free speech. July 23, 2018: Kerala town of Pabna. Nodi’s murder was alleged to Whilst on assignment to cover the conditions be the outcome of a family feud, according to October 15, 2018: Dhaka of a relief camp during the Kerala flood, the victim’s family members and investigators. Bangladesh’s Cabinet endorsed the restrictive locals rescued the bodies of bureau chief KB A murder case was filed against Nodi’s ex- Broadcasting Bill under the provisions of Sreedharan, cameraman Abhilash S Nair and husband and six others, all were arrested. The which media outlets would be punished with ferryman Abhilash. It is understood they had case is still under investigation. a maximum of seven years jail and a fine of possibly been swept away by a strong current. BDT 50 million (USD 588,000) for publishing Their bodies were found a day later on July 24. material “harmful to the country’s history and NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON image, public interest or law and order”. The THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES JOURNALISTS legislation also included the establishment of a broadcasting commission, which would OF JOURNALISTS July 22, 2018: Kushita be responsible for licenses and monitoring Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh May 25, 2018: New Delhi media content. The draft bill was approved Journalist Ravish Kumar, of NDTV, alleged daily, was brutally attacked by a mob of simultaneously with a draft Mass Media more than 100 people appearing to be a high frequency of abusive calls and death Employees (Services and Conditions) Bill threats over a month period. This included associated with the Bangladesh Chhatra which redefined journalists as ‘mass media league, the youth wing of the ruling Awami a video message from an ex-CISF soldier employees’, taking them out of the purview of threatening to shoot him in his office. Another League. Rahman had been confined to the the Bangladesh Labour Law, 2006. courthouse despite having been granted bail person claimed to be from the extreme Hindu for a defamation case over fears of the mob right-wing group Bajrang Dal in Jaunpur, which awaited him outside. When he finally Uttar Pradesh, had also sent details of his left, he and his car were attacked; he then INDIA residential address, the route he takes from home to office, threatening to kill him and sought shelter in an advocate’s room where JOURNALIST KILLINGS: 4 (Journalists: 4; rape the women in his family. He noted that he was beaten. Fearing reprisals, he decided Media staff: 0; Male: 4, Female: 0) most of them were not anonymous trolls, not to treat his injuries in a local hospital and THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF but had been emboldened by the lack of flew to Dhaka. The case was linked to alleged JOURNALISTS: 4 consequences, to step up the intimidation. defamatory remarks about former Prime OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS: 0 Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2017. NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS: 30 May 27, 2018: New Delhi/New York THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 1 A group of UN Special Rapporteurs called on August 5, 2018: Dhaka ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 3 the Government of India to protect journalist More than a dozen journalists covering mass OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS*: 14 demonstrations by student protesting for safer Rana Ayyub and investigate online threats roads were attacked by unidentified men in posing a real risk to her life. Ayyub had helmets and carrying sticks and metal rods. The JOURNALIST KILLINGS received threats of rape and sexual violence after the release of her book The Gujarat attacks were part of a broader crackdown on June 14, 2018: Jammu & Kashmir Files: Anatomy of a Cover-up in 2016, which media and dissent during the street protests. Shujaat Bukhari, editor of the Rising Kashmir detailed the anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat newspaper, was shot dead outside his office by in 2002. The experts included the Special unidentified gunmen. He was in his car with Rapporteurs for extrajudicial, summary or THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS security guards who were also killed in the arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard; human June 1, 2018: Dhaka attack. He had previously survived multiple rights defenders, Michel Forst; promotion and Daily Star’s website was blocked for almost murder attempts and had been provided police protection the right to freedom of opinion and 18 hours following an order from the protection since 2010. No group so far has expression David Kaye; freedom of religion or Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory claimed responsibility for the killing. Police belief, Ahmed Shaheed; and violence against Commission after publishing a story related to later claimed that Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, women, Dubravka Šimonovi´c. the alleged killing of Teknaf Municipal Councillor Naveed Jatt, was among three prime accused Akramul Haque. shot dead in a gun battle. 77

Indian journalist and photojournalist protest in Kolkata against the 2018 attacks on journalists in Bangladesh during the student movement on August 8. CREDIT: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP

October 3, 2018: Bihar October 11, 2018: Jammu and Kashmir Amit Bhelari, a journalist with The Telegraph, Personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force October 29, 2018: Jammu and Kashmir based in Patna, received death threats for (CRPF) beat up two reporters, Fayaz Lalu Aijas Ahmad Dar, a journalist with Zee News, reporting on Lalu Prasad Yadav, chief of the and Deen Imran, with national TV channels was injured during clashes between protesters Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). A caller from an Munsif and Aalmi Sahara. The pair were beaten and government forces following a cordon and identified number used foul and abusive language while covering clashes over the killing of Hizb search-operation (CASO) in Meemandar village, and threatened to shoot him dead. Bhelari filed a commander, Manan Wani in Anantnag. of south Kashmir’s Shopian district. Dar and his police complaint and investigations were launched. colleague, both wearing press jackets, held up October 16, 2018: Kerala their hands and identified themselves as media March 7, 2019: New Delhi Following the Supreme Court allowing women persons, but were not spared in the clash. Attorney of India General K K Venugopal of all ages to worship at the Sabarimala threatened to invoke the Official Secrets Act, a shrine, women journalists were targeted. Pooja January 21, 2019: Jammu and Kashmir relic of British colonial rule, against The Hindu Prasanna, of Republic TV; Saritha Balan, of The Waseem Andrabi, of the Hindustan Times, was for publishing an expose on the Rafale defence News Minute; Radhika Ramaswamy, of CNN- hit in the face and hands by pellets, while three deal which the government claimed was based News 18; and Maushumi Singh, of India Today; other photojournalists Nasir ul Haq, of Rising on allegedly stolen documents. came under mob attack as tension prevailed Kashmir; Junaid Gulzar, of Kashmir Essence; throughout the duration of the shrine’s opening. and Mir Burhan, of ANI; were also injured On January 3, 2019, Shajila Abdulrahman when security forces fired pellets and tear gas NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS of Kairali TV suffered massive blows from shells to disperse protesters. Demonstrators June 7, 2018: West Bengal protesters, but kept the camera rolling through were protesting against the killing of three local TV journalists Astik Chatterjee, of ABP Ananda, the attack. She was hospitalised with neck militants in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. and Barun Sengupta, of 24Ghanta, were injuries. severely beaten with iron rods and sticks by February 2, 2019: Chhattisgarh goons affiliated with the ruling Trinamool October 17, 2018: Jammu & Kashmir Four BJP functionaries beat journalist Suman Congress (TMC). The journalists were reporting Around ten journalists were beaten up by Pandey who was working with a local website a murder allegedly committed during a TMC security forces while covering a shoot-out Voices, in Raipur. Pandey was attacked by BJP faction fight. One journalist was dragged into a between security forces and militants in Raipur president, Rajiv Agarwal; Vijay Vyas room and doused with petrol and was almost set Fateh Kadal area of Srinagar. According to and Dina Dongre after recording a scuffle on fire before being rescued by local residents. eyewitnesses, police attacked the journalists for that had ensued between party workers at an taking photos of the scene, as senior officers event venue. His footage was deleted after his July 30, 2018: Punjab looked on. phone was snatched away, and party workers Two journalists for News18 TV Sandeep Kumar proceeded to beat him up. Police arrested four and Neeraj Bali suffered injuries after being October 18, 2018: Jammu and Kashmir people after Pandey filed an FIR. But they surrounded by a mob that attacked them and A joint team of Jammu and Kashmir police and were immediately released on bail. Upon their damaged their video equipment while they Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) beat three release, the culprits went back to the dharna were investigating illegal mining. Police failed to journalists and detained them for about 30 venue and roughed up protesting journalists. respond to their calls for 30 minutes and only minutes in the Nawab Bazar area of Srinagar took action after the reporters went to make city. The three journalists working with a local April 18, 2019: Jammu and Kashmir a complaint about the incident to the Deputy news portal were outside their office in Nawab Junaid Bazaz, correspondent with the Kashmir Superintendent of Police. Bazar when the forces party attacked them and Reader was assaulted by a mob while covering took them away in a Rakshak vehicle. polling in Mir Behri polling booth in Srinagar 78 IFJ PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2018–2019

parliamentary constituency. Polling agents and Sultan’s family and colleagues claim the female journalists went on record accusing former supporters of a particular party grabbed Bazaz allegations of militancy were fabricated by police. journalist and editor and now Minister of by the collar and attempted to trample upon him State for External Affairs, M J Akbar, of sexual after they suspected him of recording a video the October 21, 2018: Chhattisgarh harassment and inappropriate behaviour during incident of intimidation and threats to election Three journalists were detained by the his time in the media. After further pressure, staff. He was rescued from the mob by security Chhattisgarh Police for eight hours in Narayanpur Akbar resigned as minister but is pursuing a forces. in Bastar district without any specific charges. defamation case against a woman journalist. Siddharthya Roy, with The Diplomat, freelance Many other journalists followed in the wake of journalist Kamal Shukla, and video journalist the stories to name other reporters and editors THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS Bhushan Choudhari were covering the run-up to with accusations of sexual misconduct. March 11, 2019: Meghalaya the state Assembly elections slated for November The Meghalaya High Court held the editor, Patricia 12. They claimed that despite showing the police November 29, 2018: Tamil Nadu Mukhim, and publisher, Shobha Chaudhuri, of their identity documents, they were hauled off to Two French journalists, Arthur Ronald Rene and Shillong Times, to be in contempt of the court for the local police station, made to switch off their Jules Daimen, were charged for entering the a report on the judgement of the court regarding phones and not allowed to speak to anyone. high security zones of Indian Rare Earths (IRE) retirement facilities for judges. They were imposed Their equipment was confiscated and the police Limited at Manavaalakurichi and videographing a fine of Rs 200000 each with the fine to be paid copied their camera’s memory card before areas where beach sand minerals were being in a week. If not paid, they were liable for six- returning it. The police claimed that they had mined and processed by a unit owned by the month imprisonment and the newspaper ‘banned’, taken the journalists to the station as part of their Indian government. The two French nationals the court ordered. Mukhim and Chaudhuri “regular check-ups” ahead of the elections and had left the country before the cases of trespass obtained a stay in the Supreme Court of India on held that this did not qualify as detention. and violating visa regulations were registered. the Meghalaya High Court order. However, two local journalists Ananth Kumar and November 27, 2018: Manipur M Sriram were illegally detained and questioned Kishorechandra Wangkhem, anchor and on grounds of abetting the crime. ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS sub-editor for Information Service Television August 1, 2018: New Delhi Network, was arrested on “charges of misusing January 29, 2018: Jammu & Kashmir Punya Prasun Bajpai and Milind Khandekar, social media with the intention of inciting public Six journalists were blocked entry into Sher- editors at ABP News, resigned after the mischief”. Wangkhem posted four videos on e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar by the proprietor’s attempts to dumb-down Bajpai’s TV Facebook criticizing the state government and security wing of the police as they attempted show Master Stroke which was considered anti- terming the chief minister a “puppet’ of the BJP to cover a Republic Day function. The government. Milind Khandekar, managing editor, government at the centre. He has been detained journalists were prevented from entering the also resigned. ABP had begun experiencing for one year under the National Security Act, stadium despite carrying passes issued by the government pressure, as well as withdrawal of which allows for detaining a person considered to Information and Public Relations department. advertising, leading the network to block the be a “threat to public order” or the security of the broadcast on a government satellite network state for up to one year without framing formal which Bajpai labelled as censorship. charges in court or even conducting a trial. He NEPAL was released on April 10, 2019 on orders of the JOURNALIST KILLINGS: 0 August 29, 2018: New Delhi Manipur High Court. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF As many as 297 workers from the Press Trust of JOURNALISTS: 2 India (PTI) were made redundant. According to REGULATIONS OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS: 0 reports, all but 52 of the group’s non-journalist NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS: 14 staff were terminated. PTI management claimed July 14, 2018: Jammu & Kashmir THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 0 that maintaining financial viability was the Auqib Javed Hakim, a journalist for Kashmir ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 0 motive behind the decision. On October 1,, Observer, was ordered to New Delhi for OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS*: 7 employees and union held sit-in protests at PTI questioning by India’s National Investigation centres across the country. On November 27, Agency (NIA) regarding an alleged connection to the retrenchments were halted by the Delhi a sedition case filed against a Kashmiri separatist THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF High Court on the grounds that the move did not leader, as well for his past interviews and stories. follow the required rules of retrenchment. The JOURNALISTS decision was a result of a petition filed by the October 8, 2018: Maharashtra July 22, 2018: Udayapur Federation of PTI Employees Union. Mohd. Hizbullah and Divyesh Singh, journalists Bidur Katuwal, a journalist and the joint secretary for India Today, were labelled by political group of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) for October 3, 2018: Tripura Sanatan Sanstha as terrorists for reporting Udayapur district, was threatened by the mayor Daily Desher Katha, the second largest circulated their involvement in bomb blasts in 2008. The and vice-mayor of Triyga Municipality as well as a daily in Tripura had its registration cancelled political group posted images on their website Provincial Assembly member regarding a report. due to a change in leadership. The newspaper depicted the two men as terrorists and asking termed it as undue political influence. On October members of the public to inform the police if they September 29, 2018: Pokhara 10, the Tripura High Court stayed the de- sighted the pair. An official complaint was lodged Journalist Jamal Paudel Athak was threatened registration and allowed the newspaper to resume against the Sanstha and journalists’ organizations regarding news about fraud. Paudel received publication. condemned this attempt to intimidate the media. threatening phone calls from an anonymous caller. OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS* HARASSMENT NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS October 2018: India June 6, 2018: Kathmandu ARREST/DETENTION Over several days, women journalists came out A group of seven members from the All Nepal August 27, 2018: Jammu & Kashmir with stories of sexual harassment and abuse at National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) entered Aasif Sultan, assistant editor of Kashmir Narrator, the hands of senior editors and publishers. At the headquarters of news portal hamrakura.com. was arrested, hand-cuffed and illegally detained least two newspapers launched investigations, The group demanded the website remove all for six days and questioned about stories while Hindustan Times’ chief of Bureau and news regarding MP and ANNSFU chairperson, published for his magazine. After concerns were political editor, Prashant Jha, stepped down from Nabina Lama, and remained at the offices for raised by local journalist unions, Sultan was management roles. Seven women wrote to more than half an hour. presented to court on September 1 but continues the Times of India with allegations of sexual to remain in custody over an alleged involvement misconduct against its Hyderabad resident editor, July 18, 2018: Karnali in militancy-related activities. Police seized KR Sreenivas, for unwanted touching, explicit LB Devkota, a journalist for Kantipur daily, and his laptop, cell phones and other documents. messages and sexual propositions. Another seven Prakash Upadhyay, a journalist for AP1 TV, 79

Nepalese journalists and photojournalists holding a candlelight vigil condemning the killing of journalists in Afghanistan, in Kathmandu. Afghanistan’s slain journalists were remembered on World Press Freedom Day on May 3, days after the deadliest attack on the country’s media since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. CREDIT: BIKASH KARKI / AFP

were attacked by police whilst covering clashes knife-wielding cadre of the ruling Nepal maintained she was in a prohibited zone but between police and demonstrators at a protest Communist Party on his way to a religious the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Phadindra concerning a hunger strike. Police attempted ceremony. Khanal sustained head injuries and Prasai, apologized for the police misbehaviour, to snatch the journalists’ cameras and harass required stitches. releasing her after three hours. them. Both journalists sustained minor injuries. CENSORSHIP July 21, 2018: Kathmandu OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS* Five journalists were attacked by Nepal police ARREST/DETENTION May 15, 2018: Mustang/Kathmandu officers while covering clashes between Nepali media were barred from covering Indian police and demonstrators near Kathmandu’s September 10, 2018: Lalitpur Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the parliament. Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti, editor Editor-in-chief of the Khojtalash weekly Muktinath temple and Mustang and ceremonies of hamrakura.com and general secretary of newspaper was arrested on cybercrime charges in Kathmandu. Despite the fact that the Indian NPU; Maheshwor Gautam, of Rajdhani daily; that related to a news report concerning media and other foreigners had access to the Nivesh Kumar, of News24 TV; Skanda Gautam the pressuring of lawmakers to illegally sell event, Nepali media were refused entry. and Prabin Maharjan, both of The Himalayan government-owned factory land. Basnet’s wife Times, were all victims of the attack. claimed that the police refused to take him to June 2, 2018: Morang hospital in relation to an ongoing illness. He Dinesh Giri, editor for nirantarkhabar.com and was charged under the Electronic Transaction August 5, 2018: Rupandehi treasurer of the Morang Branch of the Nepal Act, 2008. Three journalists were attacked by a mob Press Union, was called out of his house and of students organizing a protest over the attacked by three assailants over unspecified death of a fellow student at the Universal November 27, 2018: Kathmandu news coverage. Giri sustained head and back College of Medical Sciences. Radheshyam Editor for online news outlet postpati.com, Gopal injuries and was taken to hospital. Bishal Thapa Biswokarma, a journalist with Buddha TV Chand, was arrested under Nepali cyber law was arrested whilst the two other assailants and Butwal Today; Salman Khan, a journalist for publishing news about a co-chairman of the Jagen Gurun and Chitra Khadka remain at large. with Annapurna Post, and Deepak Ghimire, ruling party. The Central Intelligence Bureau of Khabar weekly; were victims of the attack arrested Chand for spreading false information June 12, 2018: Kathmandu during which protesters also damaged the relating to an attack on formed Prime Minister Minister for Communication and Information journalists’ equipment. and co-chairman of the ruling communist party, Technology, Gokul Prasad Baskota, allegedly Pushpa Kamal Dahal, by a member of the public. ordered state-run Nepal Television to shut August 9, 2018: Parbat down the program after its host, Raju Thapa, Two journalists, Chhabilal Tiwari and Om December 13, 2018: Kathmandu questioned the minister for his alleged Prakash Gayal, were attacked by local Police arrested Barsha Shah, a photojournalist dishonesty in accounting his personal expenses construction businessman Puskal Sharma. for Deshanchar.com, as she was taking pictures on June 9. Three days after the incident, the Gayal was injured in the attack and Sharma’s of protesters at the president’s residence. The 12-year running show was cancelled. clothes were torn. The motive behind the attack protesters were handing over a crowdfunded was unclear. toy car as a symbolic protest against the November 11, 2018: Kathmandu government’s decision to purchase an expensive The Nepali government withheld the decision of November 9, 2018: Rukum luxurious bullet-proof car. Police arrested Shah the meeting of the Council of Minister from the Lokendra Khanal, a reporter for Nagarik daily despite identifying herself as a photojournalist media. The Kathmandu Post reported that the newspaper, was attacked by about a dozen and showing her press card. Nepal Police Cabinet hid their decisions to avoid immediate 80 IFJ PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2018–2019

public backlash and legal challenges from the as distribution of the paper being halted in multiple Supreme court. areas. Dawn claimed that efforts intensified as a PAKISTAN reprisal against for the publication of an interview LEGISLATION with former PM, Nawaz Sharif, in which he JOURNALIST KILLINGS: 4 (Journalist: 4; criticised the military. August 17, 2018: Kathmandu Media staff: 0; Male: 3, Female: 0) Nepal’s Criminal Code Act 2018 replaced 15 THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF laws, including 55-year-old civil and criminal JOURNALISTS: 0 NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS laws. Some provisions of the Act were noted OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS: 3 June 5, 2018: Lahore as being restrictive to the press freedom and NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS: 3 British-Pakistani journalist Gul Bukhari’s vehicle criminalizing expression. Section 293 of the Act THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 0 was intercepted in a military-controlled area, whilst prohibits listening or recording conversations ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 0 on her way to Waqt TV studio. She was abducted without consent; Section 294 prohibits publicizing OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS*: 3 by unidentified men in plainclothes. She was held private information without consent; Section 295 for three hours and later was able to return home prohibits taking photos without consent; Section JOURNALIST KILLINGS safely. Bukhari is a vocal critic of the military. 296 prohibits selling or publishing of photos for commercial purpose without the consent of the April 30, 2019: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa subject in the photographs; Section 298 prohibits Aman Ullah Gharro, a senior Pakistani journalist, June 6, 2018: Lahore receiving or sending or publishing unauthorized was killed by unknown bikers who opened fire A senior journalist for BOL TV network Asad information on an electronic medium; Section on him in the jurisdiction of University Police Kharal was driving home when he was 305 prohibits slander; and Section 306 prohibits Station near Lunda Sharif. intercepted by masked assailants, dragged out libel, including those in satirical ways. of his car and assaulted. He went to hospital for August 23, 2018: Punjab treatment for injuries sustained on his neck. Muhammad Abid, a journalist with Daily Sagemail, died after being attacked by two men. August 1, 2018: Lahore MALDIVES Tahir Hussain and Muhammad Imran targeted Unidentified gunmen fired shots at the house of Abid for exposing their alleged involvement in drug Imran Khan, a TV anchor at Express News TV JOURNALIST KILLINGS: 0 trafficking. Abid sustained serious head injuries as in Lahore. THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF a result of the attack and later died in hospital. JOURNALISTS: 0 NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS: 0 October 16, 2018: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS* OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS: 0 After breaking a story on a local drug cartel, ARREST/DETENTION THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 0 journalist Sohail Khan was shot dead. Khan had ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 1 just left the District Police Office after filing a July 13, 2018: Punjab OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS*: 1 police-protection application relating to multiple Kadafi Zaman, a journalist for Norwegian station death threats when he was shot several times. TV 2, was arrested and beaten by police while ATTACKS ON INSTITUTIONS covering a political rally. He was released three December 3, 2018: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa days later but faced multiple criminal charges August 8, 2018: Male Noor ul Hassan, of Royal News TV, was killed ranging from attempted murder to tearing a Maldives Broadcasting Commission fined Raajje and cameraman Sabir was injured in an attack in police uniform TV for 2 million MVR (130,000 USD) for live Peshawar. Two gunmen on a motorcycle opened broadcasting a politician’s speech from an fire on the moving car carrying the journalists September 24, 2018: Lahore opposition demonstration. The speech was deemed to Hassan’s hometown of Nowshera. The The Lahore High Court issued a non-bailable arrest defamatory toward the Maldivian President and journalists were taken to a nearby hospital where warrant for Cyril Almeida, an assistant editor of a threat to national security. The MBC didn’t Hassan died. Police investigated the incident as Dawn, regarding an interview with former Prime specify which speech during the broadcast had a targeted killing. Minister Nawaz Sharif in relation to an ongoing violated the law. Raajje TV had to pay the fine trial against him for treason. Almeida was required within 30 days or risk losing its broadcast license; to attend the next hearing on the treason case and and could only appeal the decision once the OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS was barred from international travel. fine is paid. Raajje TV viewed the move as an June 5, 2018: Pakistan obstructionist attack on its broadcasting. Major General Asif Ghafoor, a spokesperson for December 16, 2018: Pakistan Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies, 2000 media workers for the Jang Group of OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS* accused journalists Ammar Masood, Fakhar Newspapers were fired without warning after the Durrani, Umar Cheema, Azaz Syed and paper unexpectedly shut down five newspapers CENSORSHIP Matijullah Jan of sharing anti-state remarks on across Pakistan. The Pakistan Federal Union of social media at a press conference. Ghafoor Journalists (PFUJ) estimated total job losses to September 12, 2018: Male stated that the Inter-Services Intelligence The joint opposition issued a statement expressing agency was monitoring anti-state and anti- be around 2500. concerns over reports that several international military ‘internet trolls’ and those who engaged journalists had visa applications to cover the with them, including journalists. presidential elections rejected. The Election SRI LANKA Commission responded stating that 11 out of June 21, 2018: Lahore 37 applications for visas by foreign journalists The home of Marvi Sirmed, a journalist and JOURNALIST KILLINGS: 0 had been rejected on account of insufficient correspondent for Daily Times, was ransacked THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES OF documentation. Strict requirements were then while she and her family were away. Two laptops, JOURNALISTS: 3 set for foreign journalists wanting to cover a smartphone and passports were taken among OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS: 1 the presidential elections including deadlines, other travel documents. This was seen as part of NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS: 9 application for business visas with a Maldivian a broader campaign to intimidate journalists as THREATS AGAINST MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 0 sponsor, completion of a ‘vetting form’ including well as influence reporting in the lead-up to the ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS: 1 2018 Pakistan election. details of employment, travel history and OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS*: 2 qualifications, as well as a police certificate. In August 2018, the Immigration Department issued June 27, 2018: Pakistan a press release stating that the elections were Dawn published an editorial lamenting the THREATS AGAINST THE LIVES open to monitoring by foreign media but warned government’s campaign of censorship against that foreign journalists would be subjected to Pakistani media beginning in late 2016. The OF JOURNALISTS “punitive measures” should they report on the editorial claimed that the attacks on Dawn had July 25, 2018: Colombo elections without the appropriate visa. escalated since May 2018, including actions such The Minister for Sustainable Development, 81

Pakistani police try to stop journalists during a rally to mark World Press Freedom Day in Islamabad on May 3, 2018. CREDIT: AAMIR QURESHI / AFP

Wildlife and Regional Development, Sarath inspector Nishantha Silva from the post of prime minister by President Maithripala Fonseka, threatened news editor of Neth FM investigating suspicious deaths of journalists Sirisena on October 26, 2018. A mob of radio, Hemantha Kahawalage, after he refused during the regime of former president Mahinda members belonging to a union associated to comply a request to take down an article. The Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa had recently been with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna report concerned links between criminals and an declared Sri Lanka’s prime minister against Unions entered the newsroom and threatened anonymous senior minister. the will of parliament and the design of the several others, forcing them to leave the constitution. premises. November 20, 2018: Sri Lanka Since the beginning of the constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka, members of the Sri Lanka Working NON-FATAL ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS OTHER NOTABLE INCIDENTS* Journalists Association (SLWJA) have received November 28, 2018: Colombo CENSORSHIP threats for speaking out against impunity and Several journalists were attacked while attempting August 28, 2018: Colombo advocating journalists’ rights. The Federation to cover the court appearance of Chief of Defence A novel, radio drama and stage play came of Media Employees’ Trade Union (FMETU) staffer Ravindra Wijegunaratne. Photojournalists under attack for allegedly containing said developments in the constitutional crisis and camera crew were attacked by several men anti-Buddhist remarks and “offensive” represented a serious threat to media freedom who arrived on motorcycles and ordered them not language. The Office of National Unity and democracy in the country. to take photographs of Wijegunaratne as he left and Reconciliation (ONUR) headed by court. Wijegunaratne’s security detail assaulted former president, Chandrika Bandaranaike Indika Handuwala, a photojournalist for the December 13, 2018: Colombo Kumaratunge, was forced to amend the Sunday Morning newspaper, as he attempted Supporters of the United National Party (UNP) titles of several episodes of a radio drama to take a photograph of the accused; an officer gathered outside the state-owned Associated after monks and other religious organizations was then detained by police. Wijegunaratne is Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL), after labelled some episodes as anti-Buddhist and accused of protecting a naval intelligence officer a Supreme Court’s ruling that the dissolution an insult on the religion. The performance who allegedly murdered 11 young men in 2009. of parliament by President Maithripala certificate of the playMama Kelin Wijeguneratne had personally assaulted a reporter Sirisena was unconstitutional. A group of UNP Minihek, directed by Asanka Sayakkara, was over a news report in 2016. supporters gathered outside Lake House offices, also revoked by the Public Performance Board demanding posters placed on the building wall and was only allowed to be reinstated after supporting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa February 19, 2019: Jaffna some of its ‘anti-Buddhist’ dialogues were be removed. They also insisted that the Nadarajah Kugaraj, of DAN TV, was assaulted changed. management of Lake House be returned to the and threatened by the Acting OIC of Kopai police UNP following the ruling. Police intervened and station. He was admitted to the Jaffna Teaching October 5, 2018: Jaffna removed the UNP supporters. Newsrooms at Hospital with injuries. Demons in Paradise, a film by Jude Ratnam Lake House were earlier targeted and editorial exploring the violence of the Sri Lankan Civil staff harassed following the controversial War, was cut from a Jaffna film festival by appointment of Rajapaksa as the new Prime ATTACKS ON MEDIA INSTITUTIONS organisers after pressure from a sectarian Minister by Sirisena on October 26, 2018. October 26, 2018: Colombo group known as the ‘Community’. The film Newsrooms of the state-owned media in Sri won Best Film award at the Film South Asia Lanka including Daily News, Dinamina and 2017 festival in Kathmandu. OTHER THREATS TO JOURNALISTS Silumina were targeted and editorial staff November 20, 2018: Colombo harassed following the appointment of former Sri Lanka’s government transferred police president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new 82 IFJ PRESS FREEDOM REPORT 2018–2019

JOURNALISTS DETAINED IN SOUTH ASIA (MAY 1, 2018 – APRIL 30, 2019)

The IFJ has documented cases of 24 journalists detained or Dohar police station. Name: Shamim Khan Status: Released on bail on March jailed in South Asia in the period from May 2018 to April 2019. Gender: Male 26, 2019. Most notable is the significant drop in the number of Detained: 11/03/19 journalists detained or jailed compared with the previous Job: Journalist with Daily Jugantor reporting period. Between May 2017 and April 2018, the IFJ Location: Dhamrai, Bangladesh NEPAL recorded 68 detentions or jailings of journalists, with a drop Accusation: Shamim Khan is one Name: Gopal Chand of nearly 70 percent for this reporting period. The biggest of five journalists accused in a Gender: Male drop has been in the Maldives which recorded 11 arrests in case under the Digital Security Act, Detained: 27/11/18 2017-18 and none in 2018-19. This is largely linked to the 2018,filed by a local ruling party Job: Editor of online newsportal shifting political climate in the Maldives which saw the exit of leader, Md Polash, with Dohar police postpat.com the previous government. Pakistan and Nepal also saw sharp station. Location: Kathmandu, Nepal Status: Currently in jail. Accusation: Chand was arrested declines in the number of arrests compared to 2017-18. under the Electronic Transactions India bucked this regional trend, however, with more Act by the Central Intelligence journalists jailed in the period. India has seen an increasing INDIA Bureau of the Nepal police after Name: Aasif Sultan number of journalists arrested over their use of social media, the portal published allegedly ‘fake raising serious concerns about freedom of expression in the Gender: Male Detained: 27/8/18 (illegally held news’ about an attempted attack online space. Journalists in Jammu and Kashmir were targeted, on former Prime Minister Pushpa most evident in the illegal detention and arrest of Aasif Sultan in police lock-up until formally announced arrested on 31/8/18) Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. in August. Job: Assistant editor Kashmir Status: Released on bail on The sharpest decline was in the number of journalists Narrator December 14, 2018. detained for 24 hours or less, which is a positive shift away Location: Srinagar, Kashmir, India from the intimidatory practice. Nepal’s previous high number Accusation: Charged under the of arrests and detentions around the country’s election Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, PAKISTAN Name: Nasrullah Chaudhry schedule dropped in the period from 19 in 2017-18 to 4 in an anti-terror law which has come Gender: Male 2018-19. under sharp criticism for curtailing Detained: 12/11/18 The arrest of Shahidul Alam in Bangladesh in August under freedom of expression. He had Job: Journalist with Nai Baat (Urdu) the draconian ICT Act captivated the region and the world featured a story in July 2018, on the second anniversary of the death of Location: Karachi, Pakistan and saw journalists across South Asia protest in solidarity the young Kashmiri militant Burhan Accusation: Chaudhry was demanding his release. Solidarity continues in his case across Wani, a killing that sparked months detained by the Counter-Terrorism South Asia with calls for the draconian charges to be dropped. of strife on the streets. Department (CTD) under the Status: Currently in jail. Anti-Terrorism Act, pertaining to “printing, publishing, or TOTAL JAILED OR JAILED JOURNALISTS - JOURNALISTS JAILED FOR disseminating any material to MORE THAN ONE WEEK incite hatred, and offer support DETAINED: CURRENTLY IN JAIL and hold meetings for a proscribed organisation”. Currently in jail: 4 BANGLADESH BANGLADESH Status: Released on bail on Detained for more than Name: Azharul Huq Islam Name: Shahidul Alam November 28, 2018. one week: 6 Gender: Male Gender: Male Detained for less than a Detained: 9/03/19 Detained: 5/8/18 week: 7 Job: Journalist with Daily Jugantor Job: Freelance photojournalist and INDIA Detained for one day or Location: Nawabgunj, Bangladesh activist Name: Abhijit Iyer-Mitra less: 7 Accusation: Azharul Haq is one Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh Gender: Male Accusation: Alam was arrested Women jailed: 1 of five journalists accused in a case Detained: 23/10/2018 under the Digital Security Act, 2018, under the ICT Act for making Job: Independent commentator and filed by a local ruling party leader, allegedly false and provocative columnist Md Polash, with Dohar statements on Al-Jazeera television Location: New Delhi, India. TOTAL JAILED OR police station. as well as his Facebook during Accusation: in September 2018 Status: Currently in jail. student protests. was ordered to be arrested by DETAINED BY COUNTRY Status: Released on bail on police in Odisha, after a Twitter Name: Mehedi Hasan Mithu November 20, 2018. post which allegedly ridiculed the IN SOUTH ASIA Gender: Male iconography of some of the state’s Afghanistan: 1 Detained: 06/03/19 Name: Abu Zafar most revered temples. Iyer-Mitra Bangladesh:6 Job: Journalist with Daily Jugantor Gender: Male was granted bail but went on Bhutan: 0 Location: Ashulia, Bangladesh Detained: 19/02/19 to cast slurs against the elected Nepal: 4 Accusation: Mehedi Hasan Mithu is Job: Journalist with Daily Jugantor legislators of Odisha. On October India: 8 one of five journalists accused in a Location: Keraniganj, Bangladesh 23, a month after the initial arrest Accusation: Abu Zafar, the Maldives: 0 case under the Digital Security Act, warrant was issued, Iyer-Mitra was Keraniganj correspondent of Daily Pakistan: 5 2018, filed by a local ruling party taken in to custody from his home Jugantor and also general secretary Sri Lanka: 0 leader, Md Polash, with Dohar in Delhi by Odisha police, on the police station. of Keraniganj Press Club, was the additional charges of breach of Status: Currently in jail. second journalist to be arrested legislative privilege. under the Digital Security Act, Status: Iyer-Mitra walked free 2018. He is one of five journalists on December 6, 2018, after all accused in a case filed by a local charges were dropped. ruling party leader, Md Polash, with 83

INDIA HAS SEEN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF JOURNALISTS ARRESTED OVER THEIR USE OF SOCIAL Name: Kishorechandra Wangkhem Gender: Male MEDIA, RAISING SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT FREEDOM Detained: Arrested and detained twice. The first arrest was made on November 26, 2018 and the OF EXPRESSION IN THE ONLINE SPACE. second preventive detention was on November 27, 2018. Job: Anchor and sub-editor at Information Service Television network (ISTV) Location: Imphal, Manipur, India. Accusation: In August 2018, Wangkhem had posted videos on Facebook criticizing the ruling party in Manipur which is also leading the government at the centre. He was charged on August 9, 2018, under sections 505(2) and 506 of the IPC related to disturbing communal harmony. After he was charged under the draconian sedition law, he was arrested on November 21, but was granted bail on November 26, 2018. He was remanded to preventive detention for one year under the draconian National Security Act on November 27. Status: In relation to the first arrest, Wangkhem was released after 10 days. Following the second arrest on November 27, he was released on April 10, 2019 on orders of the Manipur High Court dated April 8, 2018.

JOURNALISTS DETAINED FOR LESS THAN ONE WEEK • Zafarullah Achakzai, Pakistan, 25/6/18 • Kadafi Zaman, Pakistan, 13/7/18 • Aqib Javed Hakim, India, 14-15/7/18 • Raju Basnet, Nepal, 10/9/18 • Hedait Hossain Mollah, Bangladesh, 01/01/2019, released on 03/01/2019 • Rizwan Razi, Pakistan, 9/2/2019, released on 10/2/19 • Arjun Giri, Nepal, 15/4/2019, released on 18/4/2019

JOURNALISTS DETAINED 24 HOURS OR LESS • Borhan Marzi, Afghanistan, 25/7/18 • Siddharthya Roy, India, 21/10/18. • Kamal Shukla, India, 21/10/18. • Bhushan Choudhari, India, 21/10/18 • Ananth Kumar, India, 28/11/18 • M.Sriram, India, 28/11/18 • Barsha Shah, Nepal, 13/12/18 Aasif Sultan, assistant editor with Kashmir Narrator magazine was picked up from his home on the night of ARREST WARRANTS August 26-27, 2018 on suspicion of harbouring militants. Five days later, he was produced in court in handcuffs and charged under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He remains in jail. CREDIT: FAISAL KHAN • Cyril Almeida, Pakistan, 24/9/18