By Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) |
<p>The massacre of 31 journalists in Maguindanao, the Philippines, on 23 November 2009, most graphically illustrates the violence and impunity that threaten journalists not only in the Philippines, but throughout the region.</p>
By Southeast Asian Press Alliance |
<p>The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) expresses grave concern over the Thai military's attempts to suppress the news coverage of its deportation of 4,000 Hmong refugees from their camp in Thailand's northern province of Petchabun in December 2009.</p>
By Reporters Without Borders |
<p><strong>Press freedom in 2009</strong></p>
<p> 76 journalists killed (60 in 2008)</p>
<p> 33 journalists kidnapped</p>
<p> 573 journalists arrested</p>
<p>1456 physically assaulted</p>
<p> 570 media censored </p>
<p> 157 journalists fled their countries</p>
<p> 1 blogger died in prison </p>
<p> 151 bloggers and cyber-dissidents arrested </p>
<p> 61 physically assaulted</p>
<p> 60 countries affected by online censorship</p>
By Reporters Without Borders |
<p>Political power grabs dealt press freedom a great disservice again this year. In Thailand, the endless clashes between “yellow shirts” and “red shirts” had a very negative impact on the press’s ability to work. As a result, the kingdom is now 130th.</p>
<p>Thai media, freedom of speech, and freedom to information are under threat in Thailand by a government that is robbing the people of their rights and freedoms. </p>