IFJ 09 March 2021
Myanmar: Media organisations shut down by military, offices raided
Media organisations across Myanmar were ordered to close by the Myanmar Military Council on Monday, March 8 including Myanmar Now who had their offices raided that night. The IFJ condemns the Myanmar Now raid and urge the military to allow the media to operate without interference. A Myanmar policeman chases a journalist holding a camera. Credit: Facebook
Soldiers and police raided local media outlet Myanmar Now’s headquarters, seizing computers and part of the newsroom’s data server, among other equipment. The publication, which has provided extensive coverage of the protests and regularly scrutinised the military, evacuated their offices on January 28 as a precautionary measure, due to the possibility of a coup intensifying. It is the first targeted attack on a media publication since the February 1 coup, on a day which also saw the storming of hospitals by authorities.
IFJ 23 February 2021
A snap back from Indonesia’s “rubber” laws restricting freedom of speech?
The controversial Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law in Indonesia that notoriously criminalise freedom of expression may finally be revised, writes Jim Nolan. Prita Mulyasari (R) cries outside a court after her defamation trial under the ITE law is thrown out of court. Credit: AFP Photo
In a surprise announcement, Indonesian President Joko (Jokowi) Wododo this month
called upon Indonesia’s military and police leadership to “improve supervision to ensure that the implementation of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law can be in compliance with the principle of accountability and provide the public sense of justice”. This announcement has been cautiously welcomed by Indonesian non-governmental organisations and press freedom groups which have campaigned against the law since its introduction in 2008.
Indonesia battles spread of vaccine misinformation aa.com.tr - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from aa.com.tr Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
JAKARTA - In September, after 19 years as a journalist with the national daily, Tempo, first as a reporter and then from 2010 as an editor on the international desk, Ms Maria Hasugian got a message from the paper s human resource department via WhatsApp warning of job cuts.
Tempo would go on to cut a 10th of its 525 staff, including Ms Maria and seven editors and reporters.
The venerable newspaper was not alone.
Struck by a crunch in spending on advertising, even as demand for news exploded, Jawa Pos and the main English language daily, the Jakarta Post, began making cuts too, according to media reports.
Defending press freedom in Indonesia amid government s ban on FPI 3rd January 2021
The Indonesian Police s spokesman, Insp Gen Argo Yuwono (right) shows to the press Police Chief Idham Azis notice warning the public to not access, download, and distribute FPI’s content through websites or social media, on Jan 1, 2021. ANTARA FOTO/ Reno Esnir/aww.
Journalists have rights to seek to gather information for the public as regulated in the Press Law National Police Chief General Idham Azis recent announcement on obeying the government s ban on the Islam Defenders Front s (FPI s) activities, symbols, and attributes has triggered Indonesian journalists protest.
The journalists expressed concern over point 2d of Azis announcement dated on January 1, 2021 suggesting that the people at large not get access to, upload, and spread contents of the FPI on websites or social media platforms.