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South East Asia
Seizing Malaysia’s Moment
Malaysia’s historic May 9 election was dramatic, sweeping and unprecedented. A ruling party in power with seemingly impregnable advantages was ousted through the ballot box. There was no extra constitutional uprising, as in the Philippines in 1986, no military coup as in neighboring Thailand, no rioting and turmoil as in…
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South East Asia
Anti Fake News Law: A Hindrance Towards Democratization and Development
Malaysia has passed and gazetted an Anti-Fake News Act 2018 on 11th April to curb and monitor false information, slander and lies spreading on social media and news portals. This law says any one found guilty of spreading, speculating or creating fake news would be jailed for 6 years or…
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South East Asia
The Menace Of Fake News
Last April, the office of the Indian Cabinet Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Ms. Smriti Irani, issued a directive. It lay down new guidelines punishing journalists for publishing fake news. Understandably, there was fierce and widespread criticism from the journalists. “These norms are an attempt to intimidate and muzzle the…
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South East Asia
Indonesia: Amnesty International condemns bomb attacks
Amnesty International Indonesia today condemns in the strongest terms the 13 May bombings in three areas in Surabaya, the church areas in East Java. At least 10 people died and more than 41 were injured in Sunday’s bomb attacks. The deliberate targeting and killing of women, men and children going…
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South East Asia
Will Najib Get Voters’ Support in the June 2018 General Election?
The 14th Malaysian General Election will be held any time before June 2018, as recently announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak. Right now, the buzz around the country surrounds netizen’s comments on the General Election through social media platforms. Comments and hot criticism of the government and opposing factions came…
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South East Asia
Singapore COUNTRY REPORT: Professional Ethics Still a Media Imperative
In the internet age, some people brush aside the need for conventional full-time journalists or media organizations to give us our daily news. “That is already passe,” said a former reporter colleague of mine, surprised to hear that Asia Journalist Association (AJA) accept mainly working journalists. “Nowadays, a journalist is…
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South East Asia
Three Hotel Associations Signed an Agreement Allowing Muslim Employees to Wear Scarves
Following the pronouncement of Malaysia as an Islamic state almost three decades ago, many things changed within the national community: from lifestyles, cultures, and right up to an increasing awareness towards Islamic values. Such values included the wearing of traditional headdresses (scarves or long dresses that cover the body from…
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East Asia
Will Dr. Mahathir succeed in the 14th General Election?
For the first time in Malaysia’s history since its independence in 1957, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) being the dominant party in the Barisan Nasional (BN) government today, will be challenged by its former president who is also the former Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, in the…
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South East Asia
Press Watch – Singapore: Reporter Warned Over Leakage of Official Secrets
It was a what is being described as a state secret that Janice Tai, a young reporter of The Straits Times (ST), Singapore’s premier mass-circulation daily, stumbled upon while chasing a story. She was following up on a tip-off about an online resale portal that the state housing agency, the…
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South East Asia
Interview with Philippines’ beloved reporter, Ramon Tulfo
Ramon Tulfo (70) is one of the most well-known and respected journalists in the Philippines. He was the first of four children born to his independence-fighter father and Japanese mother. Tulfo currently works with renowned media outlet The Inquirer as a columnist and runs the regular radio channel ‘DWIZ 882…
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