Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Journalist U Win Tin released after 19 years in prison
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Burmese journalist U Win Tin, the longest term political prisoner in military-ruled Burma, was released on 23 September 2008, along with 9,000 other prisoners, media reports said. The Mizzima news agency, a SEAPA partner, said that aside from U Win Tin, who was incarcerated in Burma’s notorious Insein prison for 19 years, several […]
Blogger given two-year jail term
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Malaysia has sentenced a prominent blogger who had been charged under the tough Internal Security Act (ISA) to two years’ imprisonment, according to media reports. Malaysiakini.com reported that Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar signed a detention order for Raja Petra Kamarudin’s arrest on 22 September 2008. Malaysian law provides for indefinite renewal of […]
Another blogger arrested for allegedly posting seditious material online, faces investigation
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Malaysian blogger Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz, the second to be arrested in a week’s time, will be transferred to Kuala Lumpur for further investigation for allegedly posting seditious materials online, media reports said. Kelantan deputy police, Chief SAC II Amir Hamzah Hussin, said that Syed Azidi would be brought to the federal […]
Blogger and journalist taken into custody in flurry of arrests; journalist later released, whereabouts of blogger still unknown
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A prominent blogger, a journalist, and one opposition politician were arrested under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act (ISA) on 12 September 2008, in what media and activists are afraid may be the start of a wider crackdown ahead of an anticipated opposition push to gain control of parliament in the coming days. Malaysiakini.com, ( […]
Media groups raise concerns over government plan to create national media council
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) have urged the Malaysian government to hold consultations with public and civil society groups before instituting a mechanism that would potentially further restrict media freedom. The two media groups said, “The government’s announcement to set up a national media […]
Thai court shuts down 400 websites at request of Information and Communications Technology Ministry
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A Thai court has issued three orders to shut down 400 websites, 344 of which, according to media reports, carried material that was disrespectful to the country’s royal family. The action came after Thailand’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry sought court orders on 2 September 2008 to shut down about 400 websites […]
CAPSULE REPORT: Journalists, photographers lack protection, says SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 3 September 2008 SEAPA capsule report: Journalists, photographers in Malaysia lack protection Cases of assaults and threats against journalists and photographers in Malaysia used to come and go quietly. It has become almost a tradition that mainstream print and broadcast media give minimal coverage to issues about the profession, […]
Media groups on alert amid state of emergency in Bangkok
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Thai media associations are bracing against a government declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok, saying certain aspects of the declaration could undermine press freedom, free expression, and access to information. The Thai Journalists Association (TJA), a member of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), joined the Press Council of Thailand, the […]