AFP
By the time video scenes of a brutal prison riot in Ecuador earlier this year reached Asia, the video’s caption had been changed and read, “American Blacks and Whites in California Killing Chinese,” and the clip went viral.
Disinformation like that video, doctored to promote anti-U.S. hatred, is growing in Thailand, media researchers said.
Chinese narratives, whether fake news or state-sponsored propaganda, are gradually seeping into Thai media, academia, and political and business circles, and people from different sectors in Thailand are expressing concern over the phenomenon, experts said.
In the violent video, an Asian man is seen lying on the ground covered in blood and with his face wrenched in pain. Dozens of Spanish-speaking men attack him with bats and sticks, beating him in broad daylight.
RFA
By the time video scenes of a brutal prison riot in Ecuador earlier this year reached Asia, the video’s caption had been changed and read, “American Blacks and Whites in California Killing Chinese,” and the clip went viral.
Disinformation like that video, doctored to promote anti-U.S. hatred, is now growing in Thailand, say media researchers.
Chinese narratives, whether fake news or state-sponsored propaganda, are gradually seeping into Thai media, academia, and political and business circles, and people from different sectors in Thailand are expressing concern over the phenomenon, experts say.
In the violent video, an Asian man is seen lying on the ground covered in blood and with his face wrenched in pain. Dozens of Spanish-speaking men attack him with bats and sticks, beating him in broad daylight.
Palestinian reporters injured in Jerusalem, 21 media outlets destroyed in Gaza
Format
Amid continuing violent clashes in Jerusalem with Palestinian reporters among the victims and Israeli airforce attacks on media outlets in Gaza City, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns Israel s disproportionate use of force against journalists, who should under no circumstances be treated as parties to the armed conflict.
At least seven journalists were injured by rubber bullets fired by Israeli soldiers trying to remove demonstrators from the Temple Mount on 7 May. Four Palestinian freelancers who were covering the clashes Saleh Zighari, Atta Awisat, Baraah Abo Ramouz and Abdul Afu Zughayer were among those injured by bullet impacts.
Africa continues to be a violent continent for journalists
Breaking News
COVID-19 has been identified as a burning factor fuelling the use of force to prevent journalists from working in Africa. This was said by Reporters without Borders in its 2021 World Press Freedom Index, indicating that although there was less deterioration in Africa’s “Abuses” score, it continues to be the most violent continent for journalists.
The 2021 Index shows that journalism, the main vaccine against disinformation, is completely or partly blocked in 73% of the 180 countries ranked by the organisation. The data reflects a dramatic deterioration in people’s access to information and an increase in obstacles to news coverage, further showing that journalists are finding it increasingly hard to investigate and report sensitive stories, especially in Africa, Asia and Europe.
RSF calls on Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (on the left) to prevent the deportation of DVB journalists to Myanmar where the military are conducting a bloody crackdown against which Thai and Burmese people (on the right) protested on 4th April, in Chiang Mai, Thailand (photos : AFP). Organisation
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is very concerned about the fate of three journalists and two press freedom activists who fled from Myanmar to neighbouring Thailand and who are now facing possible deportation back Myanmar, where their lives would be in danger.
RSF calls on Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to prevent their deportation and has asked three UN special rapporteurs – on freedom of opinion and expression, on Myanmar and on torture – and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to intercede with the Thai authorities.