{
  "title": "Search: shutdowns and blocking in Asia",
  "canonical_url": "https://thewaronnews.com/search?continent=asia&tactic=shutdowns_and_blocking&view=cards",
  "filters": {
    "continent": "asia",
    "tactic": "shutdowns_and_blocking",
    "view": "cards"
  },
  "sort": "date",
  "count": 6,
  "page": 1,
  "pages": 1,
  "per_page": 50,
  "counts_caveat": "The number of entries reflects the depth of this record, not the severity of a country's conduct.",
  "facets": {
    "country": [
      {
        "value": "IN",
        "label": "India",
        "rsf": {
          "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
          "year": 2026,
          "rank": 157,
          "of": 180,
          "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 157th of 180",
          "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
        }
      },
      {
        "value": "IR",
        "label": "Iran",
        "rsf": {
          "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
          "year": 2026,
          "rank": 177,
          "of": 180,
          "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 177th of 180",
          "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
        }
      },
      {
        "value": "MM",
        "label": "Myanmar",
        "rsf": {
          "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
          "year": 2026,
          "rank": 166,
          "of": 180,
          "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 166th of 180",
          "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
        }
      },
      {
        "value": "PH",
        "label": "Philippines",
        "rsf": {
          "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
          "year": 2026,
          "rank": 114,
          "of": 180,
          "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 114th of 180",
          "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
        }
      }
    ],
    "continent": [
      {
        "value": "asia",
        "label": "Asia"
      }
    ],
    "tactic": [
      {
        "value": "shutdowns_and_blocking",
        "label": "Shutdowns and blocking",
        "count": 6
      },
      {
        "value": "expulsion_and_visa_denial",
        "label": "Expulsion and visa denial",
        "count": 1
      },
      {
        "value": "detention_and_violence",
        "label": "Detention and violence",
        "count": 1
      },
      {
        "value": "prior_restraint",
        "label": "Prior restraint",
        "count": 1
      }
    ],
    "stage": [
      {
        "value": "punish",
        "label": "Punish",
        "count": 1
      },
      {
        "value": "silence",
        "label": "Silence",
        "count": 5
      }
    ],
    "level": [
      {
        "value": "national",
        "label": "National",
        "count": 6
      }
    ],
    "outcome": [
      {
        "value": "unknown",
        "label": "Unknown",
        "count": 2
      },
      {
        "value": "ongoing",
        "label": "Ongoing",
        "count": 2
      },
      {
        "value": "reversed",
        "label": "Reversed",
        "count": 2
      }
    ],
    "leader": [
      {
        "value": "ferdinand-marcos",
        "label": "Ferdinand Marcos"
      },
      {
        "value": "hassan-rouhani",
        "label": "Hassan Rouhani"
      },
      {
        "value": "mahmoud-ahmadinejad",
        "label": "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad"
      },
      {
        "value": "min-aung-hlaing",
        "label": "Min Aung Hlaing"
      },
      {
        "value": "narendra-modi",
        "label": "Narendra Modi"
      }
    ],
    "era": [
      {
        "value": "2020s",
        "label": "2020s",
        "count": 2
      },
      {
        "value": "2010s",
        "label": "2010s",
        "count": 2
      },
      {
        "value": "2000s",
        "label": "2000s",
        "count": 1
      },
      {
        "value": "1970s",
        "label": "1970s",
        "count": 1
      }
    ],
    "year": [
      {
        "value": "1972",
        "label": "1972",
        "count": 1
      },
      {
        "value": "2009",
        "label": "2009",
        "count": 1
      },
      {
        "value": "2019",
        "label": "2019",
        "count": 2
      },
      {
        "value": "2021",
        "label": "2021",
        "count": 1
      },
      {
        "value": "2023",
        "label": "2023",
        "count": 1
      }
    ],
    "has_case": [
      {
        "value": "0",
        "label": "without a court case",
        "count": 6
      }
    ]
  },
  "results": [
    {
      "slug": "2023-india-blocks-gaon-savera-accounts",
      "title": "India: Gaon Savera's Facebook and X accounts blocked",
      "occurred_on": "2023-08-21",
      "occurred_on_precision": "day",
      "country": "IN",
      "country_name": "India",
      "continent": "asia",
      "jurisdiction": "IN",
      "level": "national",
      "tactic_primary": "shutdowns_and_blocking",
      "tactics": [
        "shutdowns_and_blocking"
      ],
      "leader_slug": "narendra-modi",
      "leader_name": "Narendra Modi",
      "issue_of_the_day": "Not stated in the sources reviewed.",
      "outcome": "unknown",
      "outcome_on": null,
      "outcome_note": "CPJ called on India to restore access; the source reviewed does not report whether the accounts were later unblocked.",
      "stage": "silence",
      "ladder_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.",
      "rsf": {
        "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
        "year": 2026,
        "rank": 157,
        "of": 180,
        "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 157th of 180",
        "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
      },
      "era": "2020s",
      "granularity": "granular",
      "status": "in_effect",
      "case_count": 0,
      "summary": "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.",
      "url": "https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2023-india-blocks-gaon-savera-accounts"
    },
    {
      "slug": "2021-myanmar-military-internet-shutdown",
      "title": "Myanmar: military cuts mobile internet after seizing power",
      "occurred_on": "2021-02-01",
      "occurred_on_precision": "month",
      "country": "MM",
      "country_name": "Myanmar",
      "continent": "asia",
      "jurisdiction": "MM",
      "level": "national",
      "tactic_primary": "shutdowns_and_blocking",
      "tactics": [
        "shutdowns_and_blocking"
      ],
      "leader_slug": "min-aung-hlaing",
      "leader_name": "Min Aung Hlaing",
      "issue_of_the_day": "Not stated in the sources reviewed.",
      "outcome": "ongoing",
      "outcome_on": "2021-05-03",
      "outcome_note": "As of the May 2021 source, mobile data remained cut in parts of the country, including large areas of Rakhine State.",
      "stage": "silence",
      "ladder_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.",
      "rsf": {
        "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
        "year": 2026,
        "rank": 166,
        "of": 180,
        "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 166th of 180",
        "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
      },
      "era": "2020s",
      "granularity": "granular",
      "status": "in_effect",
      "case_count": 0,
      "summary": "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.",
      "url": "https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2021-myanmar-military-internet-shutdown"
    },
    {
      "slug": "2019-iran-nationwide-internet-shutdown",
      "title": "Iran: near-total internet shutdown during fuel-price protests",
      "occurred_on": "2019-11-16",
      "occurred_on_precision": "day",
      "country": "IR",
      "country_name": "Iran",
      "continent": "asia",
      "jurisdiction": "IR",
      "level": "national",
      "tactic_primary": "shutdowns_and_blocking",
      "tactics": [
        "shutdowns_and_blocking"
      ],
      "leader_slug": "hassan-rouhani",
      "leader_name": "Hassan Rouhani",
      "issue_of_the_day": "Not stated in the sources reviewed.",
      "outcome": "reversed",
      "outcome_on": "2019-11-23",
      "outcome_note": "Internet connectivity was restored after roughly a week, according to the source reviewed, though the underlying criminal cases against arrested journalists continued.",
      "stage": "silence",
      "ladder_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.",
      "rsf": {
        "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
        "year": 2026,
        "rank": 177,
        "of": 180,
        "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 177th of 180",
        "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
      },
      "era": "2010s",
      "granularity": "granular",
      "status": "historical",
      "case_count": 0,
      "summary": "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.",
      "url": "https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2019-iran-nationwide-internet-shutdown"
    },
    {
      "slug": "2019-india-kashmir-communications-blackout",
      "title": "India imposes a communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir after revoking the region's special status",
      "occurred_on": "2019-08-05",
      "occurred_on_precision": "day",
      "country": "IN",
      "country_name": "India",
      "continent": "asia",
      "jurisdiction": "IN",
      "level": "national",
      "tactic_primary": "shutdowns_and_blocking",
      "tactics": [
        "shutdowns_and_blocking"
      ],
      "leader_slug": "narendra-modi",
      "leader_name": "Narendra Modi",
      "issue_of_the_day": "The Indian government's August 2019 revocation of Article 370, which had granted Jammu and Kashmir a degree of constitutional autonomy since 1949.",
      "outcome": "ongoing",
      "outcome_on": "2020-08-05",
      "outcome_note": "High-speed mobile internet remained restricted into 2020; the International Federation of Journalists reported the blackout as still affecting journalists' work a full year after it began.",
      "stage": "silence",
      "ladder_note": null,
      "rsf": {
        "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
        "year": 2026,
        "rank": 157,
        "of": 180,
        "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 157th of 180",
        "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
      },
      "era": "2010s",
      "granularity": "anchor",
      "status": "historical",
      "case_count": 0,
      "summary": "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.",
      "url": "https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2019-india-kashmir-communications-blackout"
    },
    {
      "slug": "2009-iran-post-election-foreign-press-restrictions",
      "title": "Iran expels a BBC correspondent and restricts foreign journalists after a disputed 2009 election",
      "occurred_on": "2009-06-21",
      "occurred_on_precision": "day",
      "country": "IR",
      "country_name": "Iran",
      "continent": "asia",
      "jurisdiction": "IR",
      "level": "national",
      "tactic_primary": "expulsion_and_visa_denial",
      "tactics": [
        "expulsion_and_visa_denial",
        "shutdowns_and_blocking"
      ],
      "leader_slug": "mahmoud-ahmadinejad",
      "leader_name": "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad",
      "issue_of_the_day": "Iran's disputed June 12, 2009 presidential election and the mass protests that followed allegations the vote was rigged for incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.",
      "outcome": "unknown",
      "outcome_on": null,
      "outcome_note": "The sources reviewed do not establish when Iran lifted the specific 2009 restrictions on foreign correspondents covering the post-election protests.",
      "stage": "punish",
      "ladder_note": null,
      "rsf": {
        "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
        "year": 2026,
        "rank": 177,
        "of": 180,
        "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 177th of 180",
        "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
      },
      "era": "2000s",
      "granularity": "anchor",
      "status": "historical",
      "case_count": 0,
      "summary": "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.",
      "url": "https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/2009-iran-post-election-foreign-press-restrictions"
    },
    {
      "slug": "1972-philippines-marcos-martial-law-media-closures",
      "title": "Philippines President Marcos closes every major news outlet under martial law",
      "occurred_on": "1972-09-21",
      "occurred_on_precision": "day",
      "country": "PH",
      "country_name": "Philippines",
      "continent": "asia",
      "jurisdiction": "PH",
      "level": "national",
      "tactic_primary": "shutdowns_and_blocking",
      "tactics": [
        "detention_and_violence",
        "prior_restraint",
        "shutdowns_and_blocking"
      ],
      "leader_slug": "ferdinand-marcos",
      "leader_name": "Ferdinand Marcos",
      "issue_of_the_day": "Marcos had declared martial law citing threats from Communist insurgency and civil unrest, and moved immediately to eliminate independent media coverage that might question the declaration or his expanding powers.",
      "outcome": "reversed",
      "outcome_on": "1986-02-25",
      "outcome_note": "Marcos was removed from power in the People Power Revolution of February 22-25, 1986, ending martial-law controls on the Philippine press.",
      "stage": "silence",
      "ladder_note": null,
      "rsf": {
        "index": "RSF World Press Freedom Index",
        "year": 2026,
        "rank": 114,
        "of": 180,
        "label": "RSF 2026 rank: 114th of 180",
        "source_url": "https://rsf.org/en/index"
      },
      "era": "1970s",
      "granularity": "anchor",
      "status": "historical",
      "case_count": 0,
      "summary": "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.",
      "url": "https://thewaronnews.com/incidents/1972-philippines-marcos-martial-law-media-closures"
    }
  ],
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  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
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}