Freedom Of The Press

[Momo8]

.

Press freedom improving in Asia, says report

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) annual report says Asian journalists are gaining more freedom despite the fact that 16 journalists were killed, at least 328 arrested and 517 assaulted or threatened in 2006. In its report, RSF criticizes China for jailing cyber-dissidents and censoring the Internet . The report also said that the Chinese press is forced into self-censorship. The chief editor of Bai Xing was fired late last year after publishing a series of investigative reports on land seizures and social unrest. Chinese authorities recently prevented more than 20 Chinese writers from attending an International PEN conference in Hong Kong.

THAILAND: Journalists still facing threats

Campaign for Popula Media Reform concerned about effect of violence on objectivity

Bangkok Post

Monday, February 5, 2007

Journalists are still encountering threats to their freedom even though the interim government gives hope of wiping out the widespread interference in the media under the deposed Thaksin Shinawatra administration, Supinya Klangnarong, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, said yesterday.

Though such interference seems to be fading away and there have been fewer complaints about intimidation of the media under the Surayud Chulanont government, journalists are facing more severe violence, which is believed to have shaken their objectivity, said Ms Supinya.

"We cannot say the situation is returning to normal," said Ms Supinya, who has monitored the media's roles and hindrances to it in the four months since Gen Surayud assumed the premiership.

Her comments follow two grenade explosions near the office of the popular Daily News newspaper on Vibhavadi road in Laksi district last week. Police believe the assailants did not intend to cause severe damage because the grenades were the type used in military exercises. However, the attack delivered a blow to public confidence in the government, which is trying to ensure public safety after the New Year bombings, suspected of being instigated by politicians who lost power.

The military-appointed government is trying to root out the old power under the Thaksin government, and Ms Supinya fears some media members may be used as tools by the two powers.

"That would lead to an unbalanced society," she said. "The media have to retain the freedom of reporting."

Date Posted: 2/5/2007