Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Government tells editors to downplay reports on toll hike; SEAPA calls for a stop to executive interference in media editorial matters
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is concerned with the latest interference in the media by the Malaysian government through a directive to downplay news of an increase in highway toll charges. SEAPA joins its local partner, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), in calling for a stop to executive interference in media […]
Legislators urged to reject provisions curbing free expression in draft Criminal Code
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) welcomes the Indonesian Constitutional Court’s landmark ruling on 6 December 2006, which declared as unconstitutional the “lèse majesté” articles that criminalise insulting the president and vice-president. Under the now annulled articles 134, 136, and 137 of the Criminal Code, anyone who disseminated, demonstrated openly or put up […]
Local authority stops citizens from flying kites in demand for free expression
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is disappointed that the Cambodian local authority of Daun Penh District in Phnom Penh has prevented an attempt by its citizens to fly kites as a means of expressing their demand for legal reforms to allow for peaceful demonstration in public places. Twenty-eight members of the Alliance […]
Arbitrary restriction of books shows government oblivious of people’s free expression rights, says local media rights group
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A communications rights group in Malaysia has raised concerns over the government’s arbitrary and opaque manner of restricting books. SEAPA’s local partner, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), is perturbed that the Internal Security Ministry arbitrarily allows the customs department to stop publications from being brought into the country. The issue came to […]
Provincial officials threaten radio journalist against reporting on land issues
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A provincial governor has threatened a radio journalist for reporting on land disputes and illegal logging, accusing him of inciting disaffection among the people. Governor Moung Poy, of the eastern province of Ratanakirri, accused Ratha Visal, a reporter for Radio Free Asia (RFA), of raising land dispute issues with the hill-tribe villagers in […]
Media groups’ planned merger will lead to “monopolisation of information and political influence,” warns SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA is greatly concerned by the news that two media groups in Malaysia may be merging. Newspaper reports on 28 and 29 November 2006 said the New Straits Times Press (NSTP) is planning to acquire Utusan Melayu to forge a strong alliance between its Malay-language newspapers, “Berita Harian” and “Utusan Malaysia”, respectively. According […]
SEAPA network supports class action against president’s husband for his attempts to undermine press freedom
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 27 November 2006 joint media statement by AJI, CMFR, ISAI, SEAPA and other organisations: SEAPA network supports Philippine press’ class action countersuit against president’s husband The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) held its first network meeting on 21 November 2006 in conjunction with its 8th anniversary, which saw the […]
Three opposition politicians imprisoned for speaking publicly without permit
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Singapore opposition leader Dr. Chee Soon Juan has been imprisoned for five weeks following a 24 November 2006 court verdict which found him and two other party members guilty of breaching the city-state’s restrictions on free speech. Chee, the secretary general of the Singapore Democratic Party, refused to pay the alternative sentence meted […]