# Ladder: shutdowns and blocking, in Asia

A government cuts internet or mobile telephone service, blocks news websites or social media platforms, or jams radio and television signals, so that audiences cannot receive news and reporters cannot send it out.

The number of entries reflects the depth of this record, not the severity of a country's conduct.

Narrow with ?stage= (restrict, pressure, punish, silence, eliminate), ?continent=, ?from= and ?to= (year or date).

## Punish

Legal or physical action against individual journalists or sources: subpoenas and record seizures, prosecutions, arrests, detention, expulsions, visa denials, assault where a government actor is involved.

| Date | Country | Head of government | What was done | Outcome | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 21 June 2009 | [Iran](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/ir) ([RSF 2026 rank: 177th of 180](https://rsf.org/en/index)) | [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/mahmoud-ahmadinejad) | After Iran's disputed June 2009 presidential election produced mass protests, the government expelled BBC correspondent Jon Leyne, revoked foreign press credentials, confined most foreign journalists to office-based reporting, and blocked access to numerous websites. [Full entry](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2009-iran-post-election-foreign-press-restrictions) | Unknown | 2 |

## Silence

Removing outlets or channels from the public sphere: closures, licence withdrawals, forced sales, blocking and shutdowns, prior restraint, nationalisation.

| Date | Country | Head of government | What was done | Outcome | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 21 September 1972 | [Philippines](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/ph) ([RSF 2026 rank: 114th of 180](https://rsf.org/en/index)) | [Ferdinand Marcos](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/ferdinand-marcos) | President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972, and the next day ordered the military to take over nearly every newspaper, radio and television station in the Philippines, jailing prominent publishers and editors and requiring government clearance for whatever remained. [Full entry](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/1972-philippines-marcos-martial-law-media-closures) | Reversed (25 February 1986) | 2 |
| 5 August 2019 | [India](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/in) ([RSF 2026 rank: 157th of 180](https://rsf.org/en/index)) | [Narendra Modi](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/narendra-modi) | As it revoked Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional autonomy, India's government cut broadband, mobile internet, text messaging and phone service across the region, leaving local journalists unable to file stories, verify information or communicate with sources for months. [Full entry](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2019-india-kashmir-communications-blackout) | Ongoing (5 August 2020) | 2 |
| 16 November 2019 | [Iran](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/ir) ([RSF 2026 rank: 177th of 180](https://rsf.org/en/index)) | [Hassan Rouhani](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/hassan-rouhani) | Iran cut internet connectivity to about five percent of normal levels nationwide for nearly a week during protests over fuel prices, while arresting at least eleven journalists, including one detained for reporting on the shutdown itself. Note: Iran cut internet connectivity to about five percent of normal nationwide for nearly a week and arrested a journalist for reporting on the shutdown itself; no United States action in the record has cut off nationwide communications. [Full entry](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2019-iran-nationwide-internet-shutdown) | Reversed (23 November 2019) | 2 |
| February 2021 | [Myanmar](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/mm) ([RSF 2026 rank: 166th of 180](https://rsf.org/en/index)) | [Min Aung Hlaing](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/min-aung-hlaing) | After seizing power on February 1, 2021, Myanmar's military cut mobile data service nationwide, leaving reporters in rural townships and Rakhine State unable to send news and blocking large areas from outside communication for months. Note: Myanmar's military cut mobile data nationwide after seizing power, leaving reporters in entire townships unable to file; United States funding and access actions have not shut off a region's communications. [Full entry](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2021-myanmar-military-internet-shutdown) | Ongoing (3 May 2021) | 3 |
| 21 August 2023 | [India](https://thewaronnews.com/countries/in) ([RSF 2026 rank: 157th of 180](https://rsf.org/en/index)) | [Narendra Modi](https://thewaronnews.com/leaders/narendra-modi) | India blocked independent news outlet Gaon Savera's Facebook page and X account nationwide just before a workers' convention it planned to cover, without a public explanation from the government. Note: India blocked an independent outlet's Facebook and X accounts nationwide ahead of an event it planned to cover, without a stated reason; the White House ban limited three outlets' building access, not their reach online. [Full entry](https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2023-india-blocks-gaon-savera-accounts) | Unknown | 2 |

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