Articles by Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)
American journalist deported
(SEAPA/IFEX) – Indonesian officials have deported an American journalist for having allegedly defied an earlier ban on his entry into the country. Freelance journalist William Arthur Nessen, whose articles on Aceh have appeared in the “San Francisco Chronicle” and the “Sydney Morning Herald”, was ordered to leave the country on 24 January 2005, after being […]
Legal and media experts working to hammer out common reform package on libel laws
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a SEAPA capsule report: Thais working to hammer out common reform package on libel laws Thai legal and media experts are working to hammer out a common agenda to reform the country’s libel laws, but are split over the question of whether or not libel should be decriminalised. Thai lawyers, […]
SEAPA expresses concern over new restrictions on journalists, aid workers in Aceh
(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA is dismayed by Jakarta’s stated intent to restrict the movement of aid workers and journalists in Aceh. In the wake of the devastation wrought by the 26 December 2004 tsunami on the province, SEAPA said the latest statements of the Indonesian government and military run against a need to ensure transparency and […]
University student questioned over articles for campus newspaper and opposition party publication
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a SEAPA letter to Professor Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and Associate Professor Dato’ Jamaluddin Mohaiadin, of the Science University of Malaysia: January 6, 2005 Professor Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak Vice Chancellor Office of the Vice Chancellor Science University of Malaysia 11800 USM Penang, Malaysia Tel: 604 657 3987 Fax: 604 […]
Free expression in Southeast Asia suffers serious setbacks in 2004, says SEAPA
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 27 December 2004 SEAPA statement: Free expression in Southeast Asia suffers serious setbacks in 2004 By ROBY ALAMPAY (Mr. Alampay is executive director of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance.) Media advocates worldwide have arrived at one unanimous conclusion for 2004: the past 12 months have been among the deadliest […]
SEAPA troubled by authorities’ efforts to sanitise news about violence in southern Thailand
(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA is gravely troubled by an escalation of heavy-handed tactics by Thai authorities to sanitise news and information about ongoing violence in southern Thailand, especially in the lead up to the general election of 6 February 2005. SEAPA believes these tactics are designed to benefit the electoral campaign of the incumbent coalition government, […]
Website under investigation
(SEAPA/IFEX) – SEAPA is gravely concerned by reports that the Malaysian government is stepping up its censorship of the Internet. On 13 December 2004, two leading Malay-language dailies, “Berita Harian” and “Harian Metro”, quoted Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak as saying that the government will investigate the news/opinion website “Malaysia-Today”, for conducting an open […]
Government bans circulation of VCDs showing footage of bloody Takbai violence
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Thai government has ordered a ban on the circulation of video compact discs (VCDs) showing the military’s violent and controversial handling of protests on 25 October 2004 in the predominantly Muslim district of Takbai. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on 11 December that the government would take legal action against those who […]