SEAPA | Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Online freedom of expression a 'common agenda' for South-East Asia

27 September 2011 Campaigns - Freedom of Information

Online news content is developing rapidly and the South-East Asian community needs to “look at democratisation of freedom of expression as a common agenda”, said SEAPA President Kavi Chongkittavorn at the September 22 conference hosted by SEAPA and the Society for Online News Providers (SONP). The online media in South-East Asia continues to face censorship and legal restrictions limiting freedom of expression.

SEAPA Alert: 'Undilah' video banned from Malaysia broadcast

26 September 2011 Alerts - Incidents

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has recently issued a directive banning the 'Undilah' video from public broadcast . The controversial events surrounding the video, which was released on 16 September, have left independent press observers questioning the direction of the government and the role of the MCMC.

Web master tells court of measures taken against unlawful content

21 September 2011 Alerts - Updates

By Sinfah Tunsarawuth

Media Defense – Southeast Asia (a partner of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance)

Thai webmaster Chiranuch Premchaiporn, facing criminal charges as an intermediary under the Computer Crime Act (CCA), on Wednesday told a court that she had implemented various precautionary measures in trying to prevent unlawful content on her Prachatai web boards.

No sweeping reforms on Malaysia Day, especially for media and freedom of expression

19 September 2011 Campaigns - Media Freedom

The Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on 15 September announced that the government will cancel the requirement for annual publishing permit, repeal the law for detention without trial (Internal Security Act- ISA) and three emergency declarations, in a move signaling democratic reform since the crackdown on the Bersih rally on 9 July. Below is a media statement by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), on the matter.

Violence against journalists in Indonesia a threat to press freedom

17 September 2011 Campaigns - Media Freedom

17 September 2011

Source: AJI

On 16 September, Angga Octaviardi was assaulted whilst performing
his duties as a cameraman for television station Trans7 in South
Jakarta.

SEAPA calls for the release of DVB journalists

09 September 2011 Alerts - Incidents

Source: SEAPA
8 September 2011

Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) in solidarity with Free Burma VJ campaign would like to appeal to the Burmese government to immediately release video journalist of web-based Burma news organization Democratic Voice of Burma, Hla Hla Win, and 17 of her colleagues who are also in prison.

Philippine's court decision a battle won in war against impunity

22 September 2011 Alerts - Updates

The following is a statement of the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists regarding the recent court's denial of the petition filed by the alleged masterminds in the killing of Marlene Esperat.

Broadcaster's daughter abducted

21 September 2011 Alerts - Incidents

Source: CMFR

Unidentified men kidnapped the daughter of a Palawan-based
broadcaster on 15 September 2011. The girl was released unharmed
after 8 hours, but the kidnappers were able to evade arrest. Louie
Larroza, of dyEC radio, said the abduction of his daughter could have
been a warning to him to cease his broadcasting on corruption
and other illegal activities in the province.

Esperat case: Appellate court denies petition of alleged masterminds

19 September 2011 Alerts - Updates

Source: CMFR

The trial of the alleged masterminds in the killing of journalist Marlene Esperat will resume as the 21st division of the Philippine Court of Appeals (CA) – Mindanao station denied their petition for certiorari and prohibition seeking the dismissal of the charges against them on 19 August 2011. One of the private prosecutors received the decision on 9 September 2011.

Justice Department creates new panel to reinvestigate murder of Palawan-based broadcaster

14 September 2011 Alerts - Updates

Source: CMFR

On 7 September 2011, the secretary of the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered the formation of a new panel to reinvestigate the murder of Palawan-based radio broadcaster Gerardo “Gerry” Ortega.

The new three-man panel, assembled by DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima, is composed of Assistant State Prosecutors Stewart Allan A. Mariano, Vimar M. Barcellano and Gerard Gaerlan.

UPDATED: Volunteer jailed for ten years for quoting critic, Aung San Suu Kyi’s article censored

02 September 2011 Alerts - Incidents

UPDATE: Journal published Suu Kyi's article in full (7 Sept 2011)

The People's Era Journal received green light from the Press Scrutiny Division to publish Aung San Suu Kyi's article, previously embargoed unless certain paragraphs axed. The full article published in English in Japan's Manichi Daily about her travel to Bagan is now available in Burmese on 6 Sept. See below