Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
Government orders eviction of major newspaper
(SEAPA/IFEX) – East Timor’s Land and Property Department has ordered the country’s major and oldest local daily, “Suara Timor Lorosae”, to leave its present premises in the capital of Dili within 60 days. Local media outlets believe that the move is in retaliation for the newspaper’s constant criticism of the government. SEAPA sources in Dili […]
University questions student a second time over critical articles
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Science University of Malaysia (USM) has for the second time investigated Ali Bukhari Amir, a senior communications major at the school, for his critical articles on the university. The focus of the investigation has now shifted to the student’s website and his role in founding a writers’ association. Meanwhile, the university has […]
Managing editor killed in southern Thailand
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On the morning of 14 February 2005, Kiat Saetang, managing editor of the bi-monthly newspaper “Had Yai Post”, was shot dead near a central market in the bustling town of Had Yai, in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla. Witnesses said Kiat, 54, was on his motorbike approaching a small street near the market […]
Prime minister’s reelection raises concerns for press freedom
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a SEAPA capsule report: SEAPA: Reelection of Thaksin casts dark cloud over Thai press The overwhelming victory of Thailand’s populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra and his Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) in the 6 February 2005 general election has raised concerns about the future direction of democracy in the country. In […]
Co-founder of “Myanmar Times” on trial
(SEAPA/IFEX) – On 7 February 2005, the military started the trial of Sonny Swe, co-founder of the weekly “Myanmar Times”, for alleged “economic crimes”. The Delhi-based Mizzima News, an independent exiled Burmese news agency, told SEAPA that, if found guilty, Sonny could face a prison term of seven to 14 years. Sonny’s wife, Yamin Htin […]
Reporter threatened by logging company executive
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), a founding member of SEAPA, has sounded the alarm over threats made by an alleged illegal logger against one of its reporters. In a 3 February 2005 letter addressed to the person who reportedly threatened PCIJ reporter Luz Rimban, and circulated to members of the Philippine […]
Newspaper publisher harassed by politician
(SEAPA/IFEX) – A newspaper publisher in southern Thailand has received a veiled threat from an influential politician after submitting himself to an official inquiry into an alleged vote-buying violation by a senior member of the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party. Sompoch Boonrat, editor and publisher of Songkhla’s weekly newspaper, “Simila Times”, was questioned by […]
Broadcast media under critical eye as elections near
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Thai television coverage of campaigns for the upcoming general elections appears biased towards the party of incumbent Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a study by the Bangkok-based Assumption University Abac Poll center says. Srisakdi Charmonmaan, chairman of the polling group, said at a press conference on 1 February 2005 that content analysis of evening […]