State-owned paper suspends Singaporean blogger’s column

A state-owned newspaper in Singapore has suspended the column of blogger Lee Kin Mun, following an information ministry official’s warning that ‘it is not the role of journalists or newspapers in Singapore to champion issues.’ A 30 June article by Lee in the state-owned TODAY newspaper sarcastically discussed how many Singaporeans cannot make ends meet despite all the ‘progress’ trumpeted by government.

Action for U Win Tin

SEAPA joins free speech advocates around the world in calling for the immediate release of Burmese dissident journalist U Win Tin, who marks the 17th year of his incarceration in one of the world’s most restricted societies. Reporters Sans Frontiers and the Burma Media Association are calling on sympathizers to sign an online petition demanding U Win Tin’s freedom. Win Tin is serving 20 years on a charge of ‘anti-government propaganda’. RSF and BMA are also mounting a fax offensive on 4 July, 2006, targeting major Burmese embassies throughout the world.

Malaysia bans 18 books on religion

Malaysia’s Ministry of Internal Security has banned 18 books on Islam and religion for their alleged potential to ‘disrupt peace and harmony’. The banned books — six of which are in Malay, with the rest in English — include works of noted Islam scholars Karen Armstrong and John Esposito.

Philippine community station razed

Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility reports: A community radio station was burned down by unidentified men before dawn Sunday (02 July) in Baggao town of Cagayan province, more than 320 kilometers north of Manila. Radyo Cagayano, operated by political group Bayan Muna (Nation First), was razed to the ground Sunday after eight armed men wearing ski masks forcibly entered the station carrying bottles of gasolines. Reporters Sans Frontiers is condemning the attack.