Is self-censorship behind Japan’s ‘problematic’ press freedom ranking?

• South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council launched a public-private consultative body on Friday in Seoul. • The committee, consisting of 22 industry representatives, will discuss the implementation of a "holdback" system to establish mandatory waiting periods before films move from theaters to other platforms.

• AirAsia MOVE reports that short-haul travel within Southeast Asia remains a primary tourism driver, noting that travelers are increasingly booking closer to departure dates and monitoring costs. • The company emphasizes the need for collaboration between the Thai government and private sectors to maintain Thailand's global competitiveness through positive communication and confidence building.

• Thai and Malaysian nationals were arrested for violating movie streaming copyrights as part of a crackdown on the grey-market service MyIPTV4K. • The operation was a cross-border effort led by Pol Lt Gen Nathasak, involving collaboration between Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, the United States, and Interpol.

• Researchers from the Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) conducted a global study on mixed-species bird flocks (MSBFs). • Published on April 20, 2026, the research mapped global diversity patterns of these flocks and identified how they are linked to specific environmental factors.

• Bulgaria is projected to generate between €45 million and €70 million in net economic benefits by hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. • The financial windfall is expected to be driven primarily by a significant short-term surge in international tourism.

• Netflix and other streaming platforms have criticized a German proposal requiring them to reinvest a portion of their locally generated revenue into domestic film production. • The plan aims to bolster Germany's local creative industry, mirroring similar mandates already implemented in European nations such as France, Denmark, and Sweden.

• Several artists, including singer Morris Day and Milli Vanilli's Jodie Rocco, are withdrawing from a concert series after being listed in the lineup without prior consent. • The event is organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership established by President Donald Trump to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

• Boy George, the lead singer of Culture Club, received a lifetime achievement award at the British LGBT Awards in central London. • The honor was presented as a surprise by renowned French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier.

• Two women have accused the Channel 4 reality show *Married at First Sight UK* of fostering a "toxic" culture after alleging they were raped during filming. • Participant Soraya Spiers, who spoke publicly, described the production environment as being "toxic from the top down" with an unhealthy focus on sex.

• The 22nd edition of the Biografilm festival will take place in Bologna from June 5-15, 2026, focusing on documentaries about memory, politics, and life stories. • The event will showcase 64 films from 34 different countries, featuring 16 world premieres and a significant number of European co-productions.

• France leads all EU countries in the number of citizens challenging social media companies' content moderation decisions over the past year. • According to a new report, France recorded 4,400 challenges, followed by Belgium and Italy, while other nations like Spain (3,000) and Germany (1,800) trailed behind.