Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Indian authorities seal Mizzima News headquarters
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The headquarters of Mizzima News, a SEAPA partner and interim member of International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), was sealed by New Delhi police and municipal officers on 16 April 2007, reports its editor-in-chief Soe Myint. “All our computers and files are inside the rooms and we cannot take them out,” said Soe […]
Internet users spooked as “glitch” temporarily blocks Google, other sites; government expands efforts to block web content that insults monarchy or threatens national security
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Internet users in Thailand reported sporadic blocking of popular websites on 11 April 2007, as the country’s Ministry of Information Communication and Technology (MICT) widened its efforts to limit access to websites with content deemed insulting to the monarchy and threatening to national security. One week after ordering a ban on the popular […]
Government unblocks web forum, cautions criticism must be “within limits”; YouTube offers to teach authorities to block individual videos rather than entire site
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The military-installed government in Thailand has lifted a ban on a popular political chat room that was blocked over concerns of “national security”, warning however that while the administration remains tolerant of public criticism, it must be “within limits” and should not damage “national security”. On 11 April 2007, the Information and Communications […]
Official warns media to follow guidelines, respect government secrecy
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Brunei media, already subservient to the ruling royalty in the oil-rich nation of 380,000 inhabitants, have been warned to respect the government’s withholding of certain sensitive information. Eusoff Agaki Ismail, deputy minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, also told media outlets not to “play with fire” when reporting on the sultanate. “Disregard […]
Government suspends online forum, orders two other websites to monitor content, over alleged “national security” concerns
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The suspension of a popular online forum in Thailand raises the alarm for a deteriorating environment for free expression in the country. SEAPA condemns the government order shutting down the political chat room on Pantip.com ( http://www.pantip.com ), and again calls on the Thai government to respect and preserve the integrity of the […]
Journalists verbally and physically attacked by members of ruling party
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Two journalists covering a legislative assembly by-election in Malaysia were verbally and physically attacked by supporters and members of the incumbent political party, reports the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), a local free expression group and SEAPA partner. On 3 April 2007, photographer P. Malayandi, 49, of “Makkal Osai” was allegedly pushed and […]
Political party militants attack and injure journalist
(SEAPA/IFEX) – In a violence-marred presidential election campaign in Timor Leste (East Timor), militants from the incumbent party assaulted a journalist for taking their photographs while they were being searched at a security checkpoint, reports the Timor Lorosa’e Journalists Association (TLJA), a SEAPA partner based in the capital city, Dili. On 26 March 2007, Carlito […]
Court acquits retiree of “incitement against public” over satirical article posted on fence
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A retiree, who had posted on his fence a biting satire he had written, slamming inflated prices of essential commodities in Burma, has been acquitted of inciting others to commit offences against the public. Thein Zan, 65, who was arrested on 7 March 2007 but granted bail on 28 March, said Justice Khin […]