THE HAVES AND HAVE NOTS
The third group is "controlled media" as in Singapore and Malaysia. Issues considered sensitive to the government must be treated carefully. Self - censorship is the norm. Other non-political issues such as economic and trade can be reported quite freely, especially if positive on the economic performance by government sectors. Any news that increases the legitimacy of the ruling party and strengthens its grips is welcome. Any news deemed detrimental to the ruling party’s reputation and governance must be avoided. Journalists in both countries are well-paid and their editors are appointed either by the ruling parties or someone closed to the leaders in power. In Malaysia for instance, most of what is published or broadcasted is sanctioned by the government, with the exception of Malaysiakini in Kuala Lumpur. As the region’s first online newspaper, it is the only independent news source in the country. Set up in 1999 Malaysiakini has successfully used and exploited existing loopholes in the government’s information and communication technology policies: to lure foreign investors in this highly competitive area, the government has repeatedly pledged not to censor information in cyber space. In 2006, Malaysiakini plans to launch a broadband regional TV called 247 TV News.
MEDIA MATTERS SECTION 3: Challenges in Media Matters: Practitioner Experiences
The fourth group is the media serving as the government’s mouthpiece in Brunei, Burma, Laos and Vietnam. Journalists write and present news following government guidelines. All views are sanctioned by the government or propaganda departments. Brunei, with its political system of absolute monarchy possesses a local media that is quite tamed and passive. So the media in these countries is pivotal as part of the national-building process.
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Burma is the most extreme case where journalists enjoy no freedom with regards to writing or broadcasting. Only state media carries day to day news. About 90 Burmese journalists scattered along the Thai - Burmese border and Chiang Mai, work for various news outlets and live in Thailand. They follow Burmese developments from inside the border. Some of them find jobs with international news agencies such as BBC, CNN and Radio Free Asia. To prepare for the future democratization of Burma, journalists in exile have been receiving on - the - job training from various donors and foundations. They are being taught about journalism as well as knowledge of world affairs. Burmese journalists in exile need to network with others in the region for alert, information exchange and solidarity. Each year several dozens of Burmese journalists inside Burma receive media training clandestinely in undisclosed locations funded by Western media advocacy groups. REFERENCES FOR CONCLUSION
Quality and independence in Southeast Asian media is highly uneven. As free press proliferates in Indonesia and Cambodia, better trained journalists who understand media ethics and good writing are much needed. Better organized independent media organizations could strengthen media solidarity and raise the standard of professionalism in these countries. To sustain the level of independent press in Thailand and the Philippines, economic viability and better management is a prerequisite. Ways must be found to prevent independent media from corporate takeovers by vested interest groups, which can usurp a decade old history of free press in the blink of an eye. To promote freedom of expression in controlled media environments, long-term outreach programs, specific to the unique conditions of each individual country, must be carefully mapped out. Using local media resources and wisdoms are imperative to ensure relevancy and acceptability.