Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Court dismisses libel suit of democracy activist victimised by junta’s manipulation of media
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 9 March 2007, a Burmese court dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a democracy activist against 123 editors and publishers from 30 Rangoon-based newspapers, reports Mizzima.com, a SEAPA partner based in New Delhi, India. Judge Daw Khin San Myint of the Sanchaung Court was reported to have initially said the case, filed […]
Authorities harass opposition publication over alleged transgressions of licence
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A major opposition publication in Malaysia was warned that “strict action” would be taken against it should it fail to abide by its permit conditions, according to Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), a SEAPA partner in Malaysia. In a 15 February 2007 letter, the Internal Security Ministry alleged that the 16 to 28 […]
Arrested protesters released, but face life imprisonment if demonstrations repeated
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The military junta has released all nine demonstrators arrested for participating in a 22 February 2007 protest against the regime for its failing to address soaring inflation and other issues of the day, the New Delhi-based online daily Mizzima.com reported on 27 February. May Win, Khin May Win, Kyu Kyu San, Htin Kyaw, […]
CORRECTION: Police briefly detain three journalists covering protest
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Please note an error in the SEAPA/IFEX alert dated 26 February 2007. In paragraph three, it was mistakenly noted that one of the protesters arrested was a person by the name of Myint Shwe. SEAPA’s source has since clarified that this person was not among the protesters arrested that day. SEAPA apologises for […]
iTV saga underscores continuing instability in country’s media environment, says SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 9 March 2007 SEAPA press release: Thailand’s iTV saga underscores continuing instability in country’s media environment The saga of Thailand’s iTV, originally envisioned in 1995 as an independent counterpoint to government and military-owned stations in Thailand, underscores the struggle for independence in the kingdom’s airwaves, as well as a […]
Retiree arrested for posting satirical criticism against state-run newspapers
(SEAPA/IFEX) – According to Mizzima News, an online publication of the SEAPA Burma member organisation of the same name, on 7 March 2007, the Burmese military junta arrested a retired sailor, Thein Zan, in Thingangyun, Rangoon, for writing and posting on his fence a satirical piece entitled “Is that so, Maung Karlu?” which criticised state-run […]
Government repeals suspension of sole private television station
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 7 March 2007, the military-installed government reversed its earlier decision to suspend broadcast of Thailand’s sole private station, which was declared bankrupt and due to be taken over by the state, allowing it to continue on-air pending legal settlement of the takeover and liquidation of the station’s assets. Bowing to mounting public […]
Deaths of two television journalists and injury of a third covering ferry fire probe “a bitter reminder” about risks, says SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA is saddened over the deaths of broadcast journalists Suherman, 31, and Muhammad Guntur, 36, who were killed on 25 February 2007, in Jakarta, Indonesia, while covering an investigation into a ferry fire that cost some 50 lives. Both were camerapersons for private broadcasters; Suherman was with Lativi, and Muhammad Guntur with SCTV. […]