Authorities ban films, books, television talkshow; threaten Internet users again

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is concerned over a series of actions by Malaysian authorities against the broadcast and print media and cyberspace, which point to increasing intolerance for free expression and differing viewpoints.

The National Censorship Board recently banned the film “I don’t want to sleep alone” by award-winning filmmaker Tsai Ming Liang, according to a 27 February release by Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ).

Media invited to cover 314km march for free expression in Cambodia

Invitation to the Media

Rights March
Wat Phnom to Angkor Wat
February 28-March 15, 2007
Phnom Penh, February 27th, 2007

The Alliance for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia (AFEC) invites the media to report on the “March for Freedom of Expression, Non-Violence, and Political Tolerance in Cambodia” from Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap from February 28th to March 15th, 2007.

Malaysia bans independent documentary for “distorting history”

The Malaysian government has banned an independent documentary about the lives of former Malay Muslim members of the now defunct Communist Party of Malaya.

In a letter sent to the director, Amir Muhammad, the Malaysian Film Censorship Unit gave seven reasons for its 12 February 2007 decision to ban “Apa Khabar Orang Kampung” (Village People Radio Show).

Burmese police briefly detain three journalists covering protest; two demonstrators still held

Burmese police briefly detained three local journalists who were covering a protest in the former capital city Rangoon at about 3:00 p.m. (local time) on 22 February 2007, reports Mizzima News, a SEAPA partner based in New Delhi.

About 20 demonstrators were protesting outside the Rangoon City Hall over the high inflation rate, sky-rocketing commodities prices, increasing unemployment and corruption when police arrested journalists Myat Thura from Kyodo news agency, Daw Sint Sint Aung from Nippon TV and May Thagyan Hein from “Myanmar Dhana” economic magazine.

Two protesters, Htin Kyaw and Myint Shwe, were also detained, according to Mizzima News.

The journalists were released at 9:30 p.m. from Aung Tha Pyay Special Branch police guest house.

Freedoms of assembly, speech and the press are limited by law and in practice in Burma, which has been ruled by the military since 1962. Demonstrations are illegal and participants would be severely dealt with, especially when they are protesting against the junta. The junta has arrested, detained, convicted and imprisoned citizens for criticising it or for expressing differing views. Security personnel also monitor and harass those suspected to harbour opposition views.

Police investigate newspaper for defaming and maltreating broadcast journalist

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia has written to the Kupang municipality police in East Nusa Tenggara province to express concern over an investigation into the “Harian Kursor” newspaper for alleged defamation and maltreatment of a broadcast correspondent.

“Harian Kursor” was alleged to have breached articles 311 and 355 of the Criminal Code in its report on the arrest of Harry Harzufri, the Kupang-based correspondent of private broadcaster Radio Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI), for suspected drug abuse. Harzufri was later released upon evidence to the contrary.

Philippine president’s husband sues seven more media members for libel

(*In a correction published on 26 February 2007, it was pointed out that the number of journalists sued by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo for libel now totals 46, as publisher Isagani Yambot, editor-in-chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc and the other four editors are already being sued by Arroyo over a series of columns by Ramon Tulfo in the “Daily Inquirer” in 2006.)

Fifty-two* journalists are now facing libel charges from Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, reports the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, a SEAPA founding member based in Manila.

On 20 February 2007, Arroyo sued seven staff members of the “Philippine Daily Inquirer”, including the publisher and several editors, and demanded P11 million (approx. US$220,000) in damages, adding the seven to 45 others he has sued.

Libel is a criminal offence in the Philippines.

The libel suit stemmed from a 2 March 2006 article written by Fe Zamora, “Mike A didn’t go to Marawi? Tell that to the Marines.” The article reported the livid reaction of Marine soldiers in Campo Ranao, Marawi city, Mindanao, to denials by Arroyo’s lawyer that the presidential spouse was there to buy votes and bribe election officials during the 2004 presidential elections.

Editor shot to death in the Philippines

The “Philippine Daily Inquirer” reports of yet another media death – the 50^th since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo came to power in 2001.

Hernani Pastolero, 64, editor of the “Lightning Courier” weekly in Cotabato City, Mindanao, was shot dead today by a lone gunman outside his home in the town of Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines says this is the worst media death toll under any administration, including the 14-year Marcos dictatorship.

International media organizations rank the Philippines the second most dangerous place for journalists next to war-torn Iraq.

The culture of impunity in the country continues even as the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, Philip Alston, is there in response to the government’s request to investigate the unabated murders of activists and journalists. Read more.

Philippines’ “Daily Tribune” columnists charged with “incitement to sedition”

The publisher and two columnists of “The Daily Tribune” newspaper in the Philippines have been charged with incitement to sedition over articles critical of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

On 14 February 2007, the Department of Justice (DOJ) charged publisher Ninez Cacho-Olivares and columnists Ramon Señeres and Herman Tiu-Laurel under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code at the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court.

DOJ Senior State Prosecutor Philip Kimpo alleged that the articles tend to “lead or stir up the people against the lawful authorities, namely, the president of the Philippines, and disturb the peace of the community”, reports local broadcaster GMANews.TV.

Chinese media merger harms competition in Malaysia and abroad

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is concerned about a proposed tripartite merger of three media groups in Malaysia and Hong Kong, all owned by Malaysian tycoon Tiong Hiew King, which will create the largest Chinese publication group outside of China and Taiwan.

On 30 January 2007, Malaysia-based Sin Chew Media Corporation announced its intention to acquire Hong Kong-based Ming Pao Group and invited another Malaysian company, Nanyang Press Holdings, to join the merged entity.

SEAPA shares the concerns of its Malaysian partner, Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), that the consolidation, which is projected to produce a circulation of more than one million, may curb competition and pluralism in Chinese media accross countries where the three newspapers have a combined presence – namely, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Indonesia and Cambodia.

Opposition politicians in Malaysia grilled, threatened with prosecution for revealing government’s contract with highway operator

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is concerned that the Malaysian government is subjecting whistleblowers of a government document of high public interest to police interrogation and threatening them with prosecution.

On 29 January 2007, police summoned three opposition leaders – Ronnie Liu, Tian Chua and Khalid Ibrahim – to the Bukit Aman police headquarters in capital city Kuala Lumpur for questioning. Earlier in the month, the politicians had exposed a government agreement with a highway concessionaire, which, they claimed, is “lopsided and not done in the best interest of the people”.

The police interrogation follows Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s threat, reported in a local daily on 10 January, to prosecute under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) one of the opposition parties involved in the exposé.