Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Culture Ministry forces opera composer to alter final scene of his work
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The military-ruled Thai government recently forced an opera composer to alter the final scene of his work, claiming that it transgressed the tradition of the classical dance genre to which his opera belongs. Somtow Sucharitkul’s “Ayodhya” was to have ended with a character facing a violent death. However, the Ministry of Culture said […]
Draft anti-cybercrime legislation poses potential threat to freedom of expression on Internet, says SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA is alarmed that Thailand’s interim, military-installed government plans to push through draft legislation on computer-related crimes which contains provisions that may curtail freedom of expression on the Internet. On 15 November 2006, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) approved in principle a bill allowing prosecution of perpetrators of computer-based offences, including data theft […]
Authorities attempt to arrest journalist over article critical of president
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is concerned by the latest attempt by Philippine authorities to arrest a journalist. On 11 November 2006, police attempted to arrest journalist Mia Gonzales in the press room of the Malacañang Press Corps office at the official residence of the president. Gonzales is vice president for print […]
Newspaper, editor suspended by government for feature on sex
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Malaysian government has suspended a weekend newspaper and its editor for publishing a feature on sex. The “Weekend Mail” and its editor, Mohd Zulkifli Abdul Jalil, have been suspended effective from 6 November 2006, pending an investigation by the Internal Security Ministry. The 4 – 5 November issue of the “Weekend Mail” […]
As political violence rages, journalist stoned by mob, receives death threats
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A local Agence France-Presse (AFP) stringer, Nelson da Cruz, was struck in the face with a stone thrown by an unidentified youth while on his way to report a riot in Dili on 9 November 2006. Da Cruz, who is also a journalist with Television of Timor-Leste (TVTL), was about to drive three […]
Columnist receives death threat for article criticising government
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is alarmed that a Philippine columnist has received death threats for an article she wrote criticising government affairs. According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), “Malaya” columnist Ellen Tordesillas received an e-mailed death threat shortly after she sent in her article on 12 […]
Journalist shot in foot while investigating assault case
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A journalist in Phnom Penh was shot in the foot while trying to obtain information about an assault case, according to the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists (CAPJ). Sroy Nika, 27, a reporter for the largest Khmer-language newspaper, “Raksmey Kampuchea”, was shot at a gas station in Chamkar Mon district, allegedly […]
Government reviews Penal Code, placing more curbs on free expression
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A review of the Singapore Penal Code will see further curtailment of the already limited freedoms in the city-state notorious for its intolerance for basic free expression and assembly rights. The government is introducing 19 new offences and expanding the scope of 19 existing offences, to “bring the Penal Code up to date, […]