Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Brutal murder of journalist not work-related
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Cambodian police have determined that the brutal murder of Pov Sam Ath, the late editor of the newspaper “Samleng Khmer Krom”, was not connected to his work. According to the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ), police have arrested Pov Sam Ath’s step-son, Chea Chan Nara, who confessed to killing his […]
Cyber crime bill that limits Internet free expression approved by junta-appointed legislators, awaits royal assent for promulgation
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly in Thailand has passed a cyber crime bill which gives the government legal muscle to act on Internet abuse and provides for harsh prison terms for offenders. On 9 May 2007, legislators voted 119 to 1 for the bill at its third reading, which now awaits royal assent […]
Following move to monitor Internet, information minister considers classifying bloggers
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Malaysian minister for information is considering classifying bloggers as “professional” or “non-professional” in a move to curb libel on the Internet. The suggestion follows a move by the ministry to set up a unit to monitor the Internet and counter “lies and slander” found online. The minister, Zainuddin Maidin, claimed the classification […]
Journalists urge government to be “considerate” in curbing free speech on Internet, call for reform of Printing Act and broadcast media laws
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a SEAPA press release: On World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2007, Thai press advocates urged the military-installed government to be “considerate” in curbing free expression on the Internet and to recognise the positive force of this new media innovation in widening free space for public opinion. The joint call […]
Government minister demands compensation, threatens to sue newspaper for defamation over article alleging corruption
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A top Malaysian politician from the ruling party is threatening to sue an independent web-based daily for publishing articles linking him and his family with corruption. In a letter hand-delivered on 19 April 2007, Abdul Taib Mahmud, the chief minister of the state of Sarawak, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to malaysiakini.com ( http://www. […]
Journalist and cameraperson threatened by MP for covering inactivity of Parliament
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Amid rising political tensions in the run-off presidential election in East Timor, a member of the National Parliament has threatened a journalist and a cameraperson who were covering legislative activity in the building. On 17 April 2007, cameraperson Argentina Cardoso and Ricardina Amaral of National Television of Timor Leste (TVTL) were assigned to […]
Government bans film on journalist detained without trial for 17 years
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Singapore government has banned an independent film about a former top journalist and political activist who was held without trial for 17 years in the island republic, deeming the documentary to be “against public interests”. “Zahari’s 17 years” by local filmmaker Martyn See is a 49-minute interview with Said Zahari about his […]
Court clears “Playboy Indonesia” editor of indecency charges, says press law should have been used
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 5 April 2007, a district court in south Jakarta acquitted “Indonesia Playboy” editor-in-chief Erwin Arnada of publishing indecent material, ruling that pictures of scantily-clad women “could not be categorised as pornography”. Presiding judge Efran Basyuning also ruled that any charges against the 42-year-old editor over the publication should have been made under […]