Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Tamil newspaper receives phone threats, faces defamation suits
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A Tamil-language daily, “Makkal Osai”, has received phone calls from individuals threatening to burn down its offices and legal notice of defamation suits after publishing reports revealing “controversial” comments allegedly made by a cabinet minister. S.M. Periasamy, group general manager of Makkal Osai Group, said he received anonymous telephone calls on 18 and […]
Bomb detonated in front of Thai Press Association
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 23 May 2006, an explosive device made of firecracker materials was detonated in front of the Thai Press Association on Rachasima Rd. in Bangkok, causing damages to the association’s marble sign. Police said a security guard on duty at the site heard a loud explosion in front the compound at around 3 […]
Military government bans comedian from performing, writing or publishing, over BBC interview
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 15 May 2006, prominent Burmese comedian and writer Ko Thura was banned from pursuing his profession, a punishment that apparently resulted from critical remarks about the military government that he had made over the Burmese-service radio program of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). According to the Delhi-based Burmese online news publication Mizzima […]
Supreme Court declares unconstitutional government’s February 2006 actions against newspaper, media and activists
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 4 May 2006, the Philippine Supreme Court rejected President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s pretenses for declaring a “state of emergency” in the country in February, and declared, among other things, that the ensuing raid on a newspaper and the threat of sedition charges against the media constituted prior restraint on the press and […]
On World Press Freedom Day, SEAPA stresses importance of free and independent media in fighting vicious cycle of poverty
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a SEAPA press release: Statement of Southeast Asian Press Alliance on World Press Freedom Day 2006 This year’s World Press Freedom Day celebrations focus on a free and independent media’s importance in ridding the world of poverty and all its ills. Where the press is restricted and where journalists are […]
Violent protestors disrupt academic seminar on current political crisis
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) condemns the latest violent protest against an academic seminar as an act of “hooliganism” that threatens to undermine the right to free expression and to free assembly, rights that apply to all regardless of political perspective. “We are gravely concerned that this pattern of violence has increasingly […]
Pro-Thaksin mob attacks on media continue; media group headquarters vandalised, pay television network editor assaulted
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 1 April 2006 statement issued by the Thai Journalists’ Association: Four major Thai media associations jointly called for media solidarity and common strategies as the government has intensified its harassment against the media and its opponents. At an urgent meeting called on 1 April 2006, the Thai Journalists Association, […]
Press self-censoring its coverage of fuel price hike protests
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Malaysia’s mainstream press self-censored its coverage of recent public protests against fuel price hikes to avoid courting government’s disapproval and a possible “selective” crackdown, says SEAPA. At least two peaceful protests held outside the headquarters of the national oil company Petronas in Kuala Lumpur on 11 and 26 March 2006 were dispersed by […]