Terming West African nation Sierra Leone’s repeal of its infamous criminal defamation law as a major victory for media freedom, the South Asia Media Defenders Network (SAMDEN) has said it contrasts with the increasing accounts of physical, psychological, legal and administrative attacks on journalists in South Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many South Asian journalists harassed for questioning COVID-19 response. In India, it noted, the situation was worse with over 50 journalists, a majority of them reportedly being independent journalists working in rural India, being targeted.
— source thewire.in | 07/Aug/2020