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Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
India orders probe into ‘mercilessly beaten' journalist
The National Human Rights Commission demanded Odisha police provide a report within two weeks. (EPA Images pic) NEW DELHI : India's human rights body demanded on Friday that police investigate the brutal assault of a journalist who was tied, beaten and paraded through a village while reporting on alleged corruption. Video footage circulated on social media showed journalist Bijay Pradhan being beaten up on May 25 after he went to report on construction of a housing scheme in the eastern state of Odisha. 'Reportedly, he was suddenly attacked… The victim's legs and hands were tied, and he was paraded through the village before being tied to a pole and mercilessly beaten,' the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Friday. It demanded police in Odisha provide a report within two weeks. 'The victim's mobile phones and video camera were also smashed by the perpetrators, and he was threatened not to report anything about the incident,' the NHRC added in a statement. Four people suspected of assaulting the journalist have been arrested, according to media reports. India, where incidents of intimidation and assaulting journalists are not uncommon, is ranked 151 on the World Press Freedom Index, run by Reporters Without Borders. In January, India's media watchdog demanded a thorough investigation after the battered body of a journalist, who had widely reported on corruption in neighbouring Chhattisgarh state, was found stuffed in a septic tank covered with concrete.
Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Pope Leo defends free speech in call for release of jailed journalists
The Pope has called for the release of jailed journalists in an address to the 6,000 members of the press covering his election, adding that the media should refrain from 'prejudice, resentment, fanaticism and even hatred'. Speaking at the Vatican's Paul VI hall, he hailed the 'precious gift of free speech and the press' and received a standing ovation and frequent rounds of applause during his speech in Italian which began with a brief introduction in English. 'The church recognises in these witnesses — I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives — the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices,'
Washington Post
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Pope calls for release of imprisoned journalists
World Pope calls for release of imprisoned journalists May 12, 2025 | 10:35 AM GMT Pope Leo XIV urged for the release of imprisoned reporters and defended 'the precious gift of free speech and of the press,' during his first news conference on May 12.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV urges release of imprisoned journalists, affirms gift of free speech and press
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Monday called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the 'precious gift of free speech and the press' in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff. Leo received a standing ovation as he entered the Vatican auditorium for his first meeting with representatives of the general public. The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary, elected in a 24-hour conclave last week, called for journalists to use words for peace, to reject war and to give voice to the voiceless. He expressed solidarity with journalists around the world who have been jailed for trying to seek and report the truth. Drawing applause from the crowd, he asked for their release. 'The church recognises in these witnesses — I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives — the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices,' he said. 'The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press.'
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Pope Leo XIV expresses solidarity with imprisoned journalists
News Pope Leo XIV has expressed solidarity with imprisoned journalists and affirmed the 'precious gift of free speech and the press.'
