Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Satellite television provider’s head office attacked with grenades, guns
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Early in the morning on 28 November 2008, unidentified individuals fired two 40mm grenades at the head office of satellite television services provider ASTV in an apparent attempt to destroy the satellite transponder dishes on the building’s roof, media reports said. According to “The Nation”, ASTV security and police officers said the suspects […]
Opposition lawmakers propose new bill with respect to online defamation
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 18 November 2008, draft legislation aimed at penalising people making defamatory remarks online against the monarchy was proposed by a group of members of parliament (MP) from the opposition Democrat Party, media reports said. “The Nation” also reported that the proposed law would punish those who wrongly accuse or attempt to frame […]
Reporters injured during political clashes in Bangkok
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is an 8 October 2008 press statement from the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), a founding member of SEAPA: TJA urges all sides to stop using violence and focus on finding a peaceful solution to the current crisis The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) would like to express grave concern over the violent […]
Candidate for governor punches and kicks television anchorman
(SEAPA/IFEX) – According to media reports, on 2 October 2008, a candidate for Bangkok’s gubernatorial post punched and kicked a television anchorman after a heated televised interview. “The Nation” newspaper reported that candidate Chuwit Kamolvisit attacked Channel 3 newscaster Visal Dilokwanit after being interviewed on a midday news programme about his campaign and policy platform […]
CAPSULE REPORT: On first anniversary of Saffron Revolution, despite journalist U Win Tin’s release, press freedom and democracy remain “imprisoned”, says SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 26 September 2008 SEAPA capsule report: On first anniversary of the Saffron Revolution, despite U Win Tin’s release, press freedom and democracy remain imprisoned in Burma The release on 24 September 2008 of journalist U Win Tin after 19 years of captivity came on the week of the first […]
Ex-prime minister’s sentence further entrenches criminal defamation and deepens threat to freedom of expression in Thailand, says SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Thailand’s Court of Appeals upheld a two-year jail term on former Thailand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for defaming a former deputy city governor, media reports said. Samak, who stepped down in early September 2008 after another court found him guilty of conflict of interest, and his co-defendant, former senator Dusit Siriwan, were found […]
Government vows to decriminalise defamation
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The government of Timor Leste announced on 24 September 2008 its decision to decriminalise the country’s Defamation Law, a move that was welcomed by the Timor Lorosa’e Journalists Association (TLJA). Minister of Justice Lucia Lobato announced to members of the press gathered at the national parliament that the government will remove the Defamation […]
Court finds magazine, editor guilty of defaming prime minister and his father
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Singapore’s High Court has found the “Far Eastern Economic Review” (FEER) and its editor, Hugo Restall, guilty of defaming Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong and his father, Lee Kuan Yew, media reports said. According to BBC online, Justice Woo Bih Li had reached his conclusion of defamation by summary judgement, as requested by […]