From 18 to 20 November 2025, Media Defence held the Asia Pacific Litigation Surgery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia—a three-day intensive training programme combining expert-led presentations, case analysis, and peer-to-peer learning on key issues related to press freedom.
The programme brought together 12 participants from 10 countries across the region: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong, Myanmar, and Nepal. Among the participants was Dr. Viranjana Herath, Chairperson and Legal Consultant of the Media Law Forum, representing Sri Lanka.
The Litigation Surgery is part of Media Defence’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of lawyers who defend journalists and independent media. Throughout the programme, participants engaged in in-depth sessions addressing some of the most pressing legal challenges facing journalists in the Asia-Pacific region today.
Programme Overview
Day 1 – International Standards and Digital Rights
The first day focused on international legal standards and freedom of expression, followed by sessions on privacy and data protection, digital rights, cybercrime, access to the internet, and surveillance. These discussions enabled participants to examine how international norms can be applied within domestic legal contexts.
Day 2 – Safety, National Security, and Misinformation
Day two addressed violence against journalists, freedom of expression and national security, defamation, and the growing use of so-called “false news” laws, misinformation, propaganda, and hate speech regulations. Participants analysed how such laws are misused to suppress journalism and discussed legal strategies to challenge these practices.
Day 3 – SLAPPs and Access to Justice
The final day centred on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and concluded with a practical session on accessing financial support for cases involving threats to media freedom. The programme closed with a wrap-up session and shared reflections from participants.
Building Regional Networks
Beyond legal training, the Litigation Surgery also aimed to strengthen regional collaboration. Participants shared casework experiences, legal strategies, and emerging trends across jurisdictions. The diverse cohort—spanning South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia—encouraged comparative learning and collective problem-solving, reinforcing regional solidarity in the defence of press freedom.
