Imagine that every blogger has been detained or fired from their positions when they wake up tomorrow. What would the world seem like if there was n’t good news? Although this seems unlikely, global separate news is in serious danger and has a uncertain future.  ,
In seven out of ten countries worldwide, according to the most recent Reporters Without Borders ‘ World Press Freedom Index, the press freedom environment is “bad.” UNESCO’s most recent World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development: Global Report revealed how 85 % of the world’s population experienced a decline in press freedom in their country in the previous five years.
The increase in dictatorship, which causes more reporters to be targeted for their jobs, the spread of disinformation and propaganda, which erode public confidence in the press, and the general crumble of the media industry contribute to this deterioration. These patterns are especially evident in the Asia-Pacific media environment, where independent media are frequently persecuted under government control.  ,
The Asia- Pacific, which accounts for 60 % of the world’s population, is home to some of the worst countries for journalists, with multiple countries ranking the lowest among the 180 countries included in the RFS Index China ( 179th ),  , Vietnam ( 178th ), Myanmar ( 172nd ), and India ( 161st ).  ,
Myanmar has been followed by China as the biggest warden of reporters for the past two years. In Afghanistan, women journalists are banned, and as one of my colleagues put it, “it is virtually illegal to be a woman in Afghanistan” . ,
The spread of disinformation and propagandism has also had a significant impact on the decline in media respect. State-sponsored data adjustment has always been a problem before the Internet age, but the development of technology has made it more difficult.
In a world where everyone can create and publish data with the click of a button, it becomes extremely challenging to tell the difference between dependable and misleading information. China once holds the title of largest propagandist at home and abroad, particularly in its own Asia-Pacific area.  ,  ,
The decline of the media industry, in my opinion, poses the greatest threat to independent media. As publishers shift their advertising spend to Big Tech, press outlets have been forced to close across the globe. Even after being bought by billionaires, big publications like the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times have had financial difficulties.  ,
Since 2016, advertising income for the printing industry have decreased by half while Big Tech, including Alphabet, Amazon and Meta only, is estimated to take US$ 4 of every$ 10 from advertising spent worldwide. Media outlets have been forced to alter their business models over the years, relying heavily on Big Tech platforms for revenue. However, Big Tech is today divorcing from the information sector just as they appear to have figured out the new advertising habitat.  ,
The impact of this drop is significant for developing democracies and less democratic nations. In the Asia- Pacific, the internet environment is overshadowed by self- repression. Media shops may follow their editorial guidelines in order to not be forced to close down by the government.
From Afghanistan to Myanmar, reporters have to retreat to safety and/or work under to provide the news to the general public. Cambodia’s when vivid media landscape has been reduced to two little impartial outlets that can hardly cover any issue without risking closure.
China has been working closely with the internet in the Pacific, most recently finding that an official at the Solomon Islands had attempted to give the area nation’s local media its own account of the election in Taiwan.  ,
Additionally, the absence of a financially viable business model puts media sources in Asia-Pacific at risk of domestic and international influence. According to the World Press Freedom Index study, China uses content-sharing strategies to spread Beijing’s narrative abroad, including in Indonesia, while” all the popular media are now owned by wealthy businessmen close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
However, some remaining shops in the region also rely heavily on donor money to work. Citizens suffer the most from the information ecosystem’s vacuum caused by separate media’s ubiquity. They lack reliable sources of information that will enable them to make informed decisions.  ,
Internews works on a variety of sides to address these issues across Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Under our latest strategy plan, we identify seven elements of a wholesome information ecosystem, which begins with available, cheap access to information, includes a diversity and plurality of information producers, supports the creation of correct, locally related news and information, requires a legal framework on the side of citizens: needs practical business models, is enriched by engaged citizens, and prioritizes safety for all who produce and join with information.
We provide skills training and funding support to journalists, especially those from small, independent media outlets, and citizen journalists to produce and publish fact- based content in local languages. Through our Safe Sister curriculum and SAFETAG methodology, we provide holistic safety support, including digital and psychosocial assistance.
We also consult with media companies about their business models and financial flexibility, most recently with the launch of the Media Viability Accelerator.  ,
Who should pay for good journalism, perhaps, is the bigger question. As a society, should independent journalism be considered a public utility? Should it be paid for like a public service, through taxpayer money? Their existence is in danger and much more needs to be done until we find a business model that works for independent media in the digital world.
Menghun Kaing is Senior Program Officer for Internews Network, an international non-profit organization that promotes high-quality information all over the world.