Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Law challenged by activist and lawyer charged with defaming president
(SEAPA/IFEX) – An Indonesian political activist who was arrested for defaming President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is asking the country’s Constitutional Court to review the defamation articles in the Criminal Code. Pandapotan Lubis filed the request on 25 September 2006, reports the local web-based daily “Tempo Interaktif”. He is being tried at the Central Jakarta District […]
Media groups continue to pressure for protection of press freedom; previously detained television director released
(SEAPA/IFEX) – In a rare show of unity, the Thai media will call on the Council for Democratic Reform (previously called Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy) on 29 September 2006 to obtain the Council’s assurance that people’s right to free expression and press freedom will be clearly stated and adequately protected in the […]
Journalists demand media protection in interim Constitution
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Amidst a stabilising environment with no further reports of community radio stations being shut down, a group of Thai media organisations has issued an open letter to the military rulers demanding protection for the media in the interim Constitution that will take effect on 3 October 2006. The group consists of the Press […]
Military clamps down on local, provincial government bodies; critical website suspends webboard following “a disturbance”
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The ruling military junta in Thailand has banned political activities of Tambon (a local government body) and provincial administrative organisations following reports that some had tried to organise rallies against the military in northern and northeast Thailand. However, almost a week after the 19 September 2006 coup, public criticism of the putsch is […]
Journalist detained, faces deportation, prevented from covering trial
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A foreign reporter who has been following a trial in Singapore was detained while attempting to re-enter the country on 24 September 2006, reports “The Epoch Times”. The newspaper, which has regional offices around the globe, said its reporter, Jaya Gibson, was to be deported on 25 September. Gibson had returned from a […]
Internet now censored, website removed, over 300 community radio stations shut down, self-censorship on the rise as military rule continues
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Internet is the latest medium under threat in military-ruled Thailand, as media conditions continue to deteriorate in the first days of the military takeover. The overall environment for the press is unstable, and is being undermined by the day. Following restrictions placed on the broadcast media, the Information and Communication Technology Ministry […]
Military asserts rules for media following coup, silences dissenting voices, arrests demonstrators
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Two days into the peaceful military takeover in Thailand, freedom of expression and the media are under threat as the interim Administrative Reform Council moves to isolate deposed caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and clamps down on the expression of criticism against the coup. Foreign and local journalists still enjoy unrestricted movement, and […]
Following coup, military seizes satellite operations, temporarily interferes with broadcasts; media situation uncertain, says SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Press freedom and access to information in Thailand following a military coup against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appears to be normalizing, one day into the military takeover, but an interruption in news flow on local and cable channels in the first hours of the putsch, and the military’s assertion of ownership over […]