Ethics and Self Regulation

Weekly Media Roundup (2 – 8 March 2019)

2019/03/112019/03/11 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Access to Information, campaign and elections, cyberlaw, cybersecurity, Defamation, Election, Elections, Ethics and Self Regulation, fake news, libel, Media Freedom, online libel, press council, press freedom

Some of the press freedom- and free expression-related events and issues you might have missed last week

Activities Advocacy From the Members Malaysia

[Malaysia] National consultation for a media council concludes in Kuala Lumpur

2019/03/072019/03/08 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Ethics and Self Regulation, Media Freedom, press freedom

Organized jointly by the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR), the national consultation on the formation of a national media council tackled the whys and wherefores of setting up a media council in Malaysia, including relevant media issues, and aimed to carve out a road map for its establishment.

Advocacy Monitoring Regional

Weekly Media Roundup (16 – 22 February 2019)

2019/02/252019/03/03 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) cyber law, cyber security, digital rights, Ethics and Self Regulation, journosafe, Media Freedom, Online Freedom of Expression, press freedom, Safety of Journalists

Some of the press freedom- and free expression-related events and issues you might have missed last week

Advocacy Alerts Monitoring Philippines

[Philippines] Government’s unrelenting demonization, red-tagging escalates threats to media, press freedom

2019/02/22 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Ethics and Self Regulation, journosafe, Media Freedom, press freedom, Safety of Journalists

We call on all concerned public officials, notably President Rodrigo Duterte, to cease and desist from putting the press – or those that they see fit to malign every chance they get – in harm’s way and uphold their right to report freely and independently without fearing for their safety.

Advocacy Alerts From the Members Monitoring Philippines

[Philippines] Presidential Communications Undersecretary Egco and “Irresponsible Journalism”

2019/02/22 Center for Media Freedom & Responsibility (CMFR) Ethics and Self Regulation, journosafe, Media Freedom, press freedom, Safety of Journalists

All reports issued by the three groups go through the verification process that is at the heart of all true journalism, and in addition are subjected to the gate-keeping processes of the publications it serves.

Activities Advocacy From the Members Malaysia Reports

[Malaysia] CIJ, MCCHR launch site for media council national consultation

2019/02/222019/02/22 Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia Ethics and Self Regulation, Media Council, press freedom

The Centre for Independent Journalism in Malaysia (CIJ) and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) launched today, 22 February 2019 a website (http://msiamediacouncil.website/) to “begin discussions again on establishing a National Media Council of Malaysia.”

Photo from vodhotnews.com

Advocacy Alerts Cambodia From the Members Monitoring

[Cambodia] Three reporters detained for alleged extortion; deny accusation

2019/02/21 Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) Ethics and Self Regulation, journosafe, Media Freedom, press freedom, Safety of Journalists

Three Cambodian reporters were detained overnight on Wednesday, 13 February 2019 by police in Kandal province’s Ang Snuol district for allegedly interrupting the business operations and extorting money from the owner of a mining pit and trucks in the area.

They denied the charges and were released the following day. According to the police, the two parties reached a settlement, resulting in the dismissal of the complaint. It was not known if a sum was paid as part of the settlement.

Photo by DZUP

Philippines Reports

[Philippines] Fact-checking initiative launched ahead of May mid-term elections

2019/02/112019/02/12 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) campaign and elections, disinformation, Elections, Ethics and Self Regulation, fact-checking, media, Philippines

Tsek.ph aims to verify “platforms and campaign promises of candidates; statements and remarks made by candidates, personalities, government agencies, and other entities; and election-related posts on social media, blogs and other platforms.”

Photo from AJI Indonesia

Activities Advocacy Features From the Members Indonesia Reports

[Indonesia] National Press Day ‘more ceremonial’ than substantive – AJI

2019/02/102019/02/10 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Ethics and Self Regulation, Hari Pers Nasional, Media Freedom, National Press Day of Indonesia, press council, press freedom

The just concluded Hari Pers Nasional (HPN, or the National Press Day) may have been touted as a celebration of the role of the press in a still largely democratic society like Indonesia, and, as in years past since 1985, was meant to be a meaningful occasion for the entire nation – except that not everyone, let alone some journalist groups, found any reason to celebrate it.

The choice of date, February 9, remains contentious for many, for the historical baggage that it carries.

Photo by FJPI

Activities Features From the Members Indonesia Reports

[Indonesia] Women journalists tell their stories in new book

2019/02/102019/02/10 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Ethics and Self Regulation, Gender, media diversity, Media Freedom, media pluralism, National Press Day of Indonesia, press council, press freedom, women

Published by Forum Jurnalis Perempuan Indonesia (FJPI, Indonesian Women Journalists Forum), the book, Jurnalis Perempuan Meliput Indonesia: 50 Kisali di Balik Berita (Female Journalists Covering Indonesia: 50 Stories Behind the News), was launched Friday, 8 February 2019, at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Surabaya, capital city of East Java. The launch coincided with the commemoration of the National Press Day of Indonesia, which is celebrated annually on February 9.

(L-R) Orapin Yingyongpathana, The Momentum; Chonthicha Jangrew, Democracy Restoration Group; Tanawat Wongchai, Student Union of Thailand; Prasong Lertratanawisute, ISRA News Agency; Kulachada Chaipipat, formerly of SEAPA

Activities Advocacy Features Reports Thailand

[Thailand] In run-up to next election, media must step up its game — says forum

2019/02/072019/02/08 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Access to Information, campaign and elections, Elections, Ethics and Self Regulation, journosafe, Media Freedom, press freedom, Safety of Journalists

The event, called “A Public Forum on Election and Media Coverage in Thailand: Challenges and Opportunities for Broadening Public Discourse,” gathered 60 representatives from news organizations, journalists’ groups, and civil society to discuss the role of the media during elections, and the state of its coverage of political issues.

Advocacy Monitoring Regional

Weekly Media Roundup (26 January – 1 February 2019)

2019/02/042019/02/08 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Access to Information, campaign and elections, digital rights, digital security, Elections, Ethics and Self Regulation, Human Rights, Media Freedom, Media Ownership, media sustainability, Online Freedom of Expression, press freedom

Some of the press freedom- and free expression-related events and issues you might have missed last week

(L-R) Min Pov, VOD; Norman Goh, Malaysiakini; Karel Jiaan Antonio, ANFREL; Pravit Rojanaphruk, Khaosod English.

Activities Advocacy Features Reports Thailand

[Thailand] Media vital in shaping public discourse during election, says monitoring group

2019/02/042019/02/08 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Access to Information, campaign and elections, Elections, Ethics and Self Regulation, journosafe, Media Freedom, press freedom, Safety of Journalists

Karel Jiaan Antonio, program officer for campaign and advocacy of the Asian Network for Free Election (ANFREL), said that as election monitors, they recognize the important role of the media during elections in shaping public discourse.

Activities Advocacy Features Reports Thailand

[Thailand] Media-public forum shines a light on bleak realities of election reporting

2019/02/012019/02/08 Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Access to Information, campaign and elections, Elections, Ethics and Self Regulation, journosafe, Media Freedom, press freedom, Safety of Journalists

Now that the long-awaited national election in Thailand is a certainty, how does the local media fare in the public eye in terms of its coverage of important issues that are relevant to the highly anticipated political exercise?

Activities Advocacy Features Reports Thailand

[Thailand] CSOs highlight role of the media during elections

The media play an important role in providing the people vital information in the coming Thai elections, representatives of civil

Advocacy

A potential death blow to media freedom

2017/01/312017/02/01 seapa Ethics and Self Regulation, Media Freedom, Media Law

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) today expressed fears that Thailand is moving toward greater control of the media, with

Advocacy

Background and summary of the media ‘protection’ bill

2017/01/31 seapa Ethics and Self Regulation, Media Freedom

The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) have proposed separate bills on the “Protection of

Features

Karen woman candidate struggles to make voice heard

2015/09/162018/04/19 Aung Zaw Min Ethics and Self Regulation

As the campaign period for the November 8th election kicks off, political parties in Burma started blazing the campaign trails.

Advocacy Press Freedom Reports

Caught between ethics and politics

2013/05/022018/04/19 seapa 0 Comments Ethics and Self Regulation, Media Freedom, Politics and Media

[Thailand country report for Working within bounds: Southeast Asia’s Press Freedom Challenges for 2013] Thailand generally experienced a politically peaceful and