"Govt curtailing freedom of expression: Report", 15 March 2020

The constitution and existing laws guarantee freedom of speech and press, but the government tried to restrict media freedom by threatening journalists and news organisations, that criticised the authorities, said the Annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices-2020, recently released by the US Department of State.

"The independent media were active and expressed a wide variety of views without restriction, with some exceptions. Several editors and journalists reported they faced intimidation by police and government officials and that vague provisions in laws and regulations prompted an increase in self-censorship by journalists..."

"Journalists said they continued to receive vague threats from officials in response to their investigative reporting on corruption..."

According to the report, journalists and non-governmental organisations said that the criminal and civil codes and the Privacy Act criminalised normal media activity, such as reporting on public figures, and triggered a significant increase in self-censorship by the media. Human rights lawyers and some journalists said both the constitution and the civil code enabled the government to restrict freedom of speech... 

...There were several incidents in which authorities took action under the Electronic Transactions Act in response to material posted on social media. In 2017, the government issued an amended online media operation directive, which requires all domestically based online news and opinion websites to be registered.

The directive gives the government the authority to block websites based on content if it lacks an ‘authoritative source’, creates ‘misconception’, or negatively affects international relationships. Human rights organisations reported more than 100 cases were filed in court, mostly related to the Electronic Transactions Act.