Chinese coverage of Nelson Mandela’s death has reflected the government’s new-found sympathy for Maoism, its rejection of democracy and its long-standing sensitivities over Tibet and Taiwan. Alastair Sloan reports
CATEGORY: Asia and Pacific
India: “Even the Supreme Court thinks my ‘lifestyle’ is illegal”
By reinstating a law banning gay sex, the Indian state is entering citizens’ bedrooms and infringing on their integrity and bodily autonomy, writes Sayan Bhattacharya
Vietnamese bloggers launch online network to push for human rights
The Network of Vietnamese Bloggers has called on the government of Vietnam to uphold its commitment to human rights in wake of the country’s election to the United Nations Human Rights Council
Japan’s designated secrets bill – the sound of the jackboots
Japan’s new secrecy law is yet another disturbing symptom of the country’s rising militarism, broadening the government’s power to classify state secrets amidst increased belligerence in the region. Saul Takahashi reports for Open Democracy
Radio prank expands Australia’s broadcasting authority remit
A radio prank that lead to tragic consequences may end up expanding Australia’s broadcast authority’s powers. Helen Clark reports
Pakistan continues silencing dissent through selective web blocks
Pakistan is notorious for blocking websites. It has banned more than 4,000 websites for what it considers objectionable material. The latest was IMDb, Zofeen Ebrahim reports.
Journalists caught in Bangladesh crossfire
Despite a thriving media sector, Bangladesh has seen a surge in violence against journalists. Samira Shackle reports
We must demand an end to the culture of impunity
On the eve of the International Day To End Impunity, we look back at the journalists intimidated, attacked and killed in 2013
India: Digital freedom under threat?
The rules India makes for its online users are highly significant – for not only will they apply to 1 in 6 people on earth in the near future as more Indians go online, but as the country emerges as a global power they will shape future debates over freedom of expression online.
India: Digital freedom under threat? Conclusion
This paper has shown that despite its lively democracy, strong tradition of press freedom and political debates, India is in many ways struggling to find the right balance between freedom of expression online and other concerns such as security.