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Statement
of Intent
Recognizing
the need for independent journalists concerned with preserving,
protecting and expanding press freedom in Southeast Asia to band
together for mutual benefit, it is the intention of the undersigned
individuals, acting on behalf of our organizations, to build an
alliance of press freedom advocates committed to the promotion and
protection of press freedom in Southeast Asia.
This
alliance, to be called the Southeast Asian Press Alliance, shall
be governed by a steering committee made up of 6 members, representing
each of the founding organizations which sent delegates to Bangkok
7-8 November 1998 for a seminar on "Promoting and Monitoring Press
Freedom in Southeast Asia." It is understood that in the future
this alliance and its Steering Committee may grow as other independent
press freedom organizations seek to join.
Among
the activities and projects envisioned by the alliance are:
1. The creation
of a working secretariat with a professional staff to be established
initially in Bangkok with continual oversight by the Steering Committee.
2. The secretariat
will conduct thorough research and documentation of individual cases
of attacks on journalists and threats to press freedom in the nine
member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean),
plus Cambodia.
3. Such research
will be shared within the alliance and with the worldwide network
of free expression advocates gathered under the umbrella of the
International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX).
4. In response
to abuses of press freedom, the alliance may undertake a variety
of actions such as issuing formal letters of concern and protest,
making direct representations to governments on behalf of journalists,
and conducting in-depth research missions in the field.
5. The alliance
may also encourage governments in Southeast Asia to reform repressive
media laws, relax restrictions on the exercise of free expression
through the media and advocate other positions consistent with our
mutual interest in the development of a free and responsible Southeast
Asian media culture.
The
steering committee will undertake the following activities:
Preparation
of funding proposals to seek seed money to create the alliance.
Close cooperation with international partner organizations for training
and development of the alliance. Hiring and oversight of staff after
funding has been secured. Drafting of a set of formal by-laws to
govern the alliance. Regular consultation on matters of mutual concern
to the alliance and twice yearly formal meetings to be held on a
rotating basis in the countries represented in the alliance. Timeline:
Signed,
this 8th Day of November, 1998, in Bangok, Thailand:
- Alliance of Independent
Journalists, Indonesia
- Institute for the Studies
in Free Flow of Information, Indonesia
- Center for Media Freedom
and Responsibility, Philippines
- Philippine Center for
Investigative Journalism
- Reporters Association
of Thailand.
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