In Brunei, freedom of the press is heavily restricted by law and the exercise of emergency powers. The constitution does not guarantee freedom of speech, and criticizing the royal family or the national philosophy, known as the Malay Islamic Monarchy, is illegal. The Sharia Penal Code punishes apostasy, insulting Islam, or claiming to be God, [...]
Press freedom in Türkiye deteriorated in 2025, with journalists facing harassment, censorship, physical attacks, and economic pressure. A report by eight international press freedom groups said the country is “extremely hostile to independent journalism.” Critical reporting is often treated as a crime or security threat, creating fear among media workers. The crackdown increased after protests [...]
In Tajikistan in 2025, freedom of expression was very limited. The government continued to punish journalists and critics who spoke out against leaders or reported independently. Some journalists were jailed for many years after secret trials, and others were accused of crimes with no clear public evidence. A planned conference for women journalists was cancelled [...]
Since the coup in Niger in 2023, freedom of expression and association has been under threat. Journalists claim that they are intimidated, harassed, and arrested at times, and this has forced many of them to self-censor. On January 17, 2025, the government suspended the Canal 3 TV station for 30 days because the station’s editor, [...]
Niger's military regime has enacted an ordinance called “general mobilization” and has enormous powers to ensure security. This ordinance was passed on “Dec. 26, 2025," and the government can order the mobilization of citizens, seize their property, restrict communication, and order people to report against activities that demonstrate enmity to the state. This military regime’s [...]
Eritrea has one of the worst press freedom situations in the world. It kept the lowest position in the 2025 Global Press Freedom Index, showing that there is almost no independent media in the country. The government controls all news, censors information, and watches people’s communications closely. Independent journalism is banned and any reporter who [...]
On the fifth anniversary of Pham Doan Trang’s arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists and 20 partner groups urge Vietnam to free her now. Trang is serving nine years in prison for “anti‑state propaganda” after a one‑day trial. Her conditions are worsening, and she lacks access to medical care, family, or independent oversight. Press freedom [...]
Saudi Arabia is using a large comedy festival from September 26 to October 9, 2025, to distract people from its serious human rights abuses. The festival, held from September 26 to October 9, includes the anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Saudi Arabia recently executed two journalists for peaceful speech. Many famous comedians are performing, [...]
Four Eritrean journalists, including Swedish-Eritrean Dawit Isaak, have been in prison without trial for 24 years. They were arrested in 2001 during a government crackdown on free media and political opposition in Eritrea. Dawit was briefly released in 2005, but was jailed again a few days later. Since then, no one has seen or heard [...]
In Eritrea, press freedom is almost non-existent. Since 2001, the government has shut down all private newspapers and arrested many journalists, writers, and poets without trial. At least 12 are still in prison, making them the longest-detained journalists in the world. The government, led by President Isaias Afwerki, controls all media and punishes those who [...]