The following op-ed column was first published in The Straits Times of Singapore. BY TOM PLATE — Is there more than one rational and reasonable way to construct a news-media system that maximises overall benefit for citizens (if not just for the journalists)? One provocative answer – courtesy of we-do-it-our-way…
Author: LMU
SOUTH KOREA: Famed Daily Reviews New Book on UN Secretary General
The headline in the book review in the Korea Times, a massive circulation Seoul-based newspaper, read: “Heart-felt talks reveal Ban’s leadership style, dreams.” The review, by Chung Ah-young, read: “The United Nations is often criticized for its bloated bureaucracy and inefficiency. The position of U.N. secretary-general is no doubt daunting,…
BOOK NEWS: ‘Conversations with Ban Ki-Moon’ Hits Singapore as #1Bestseller
Start the presses again! Officially published on November 5, ‘Conversations with Ban Ki-Moon: A View from the Top” opened up on Singapore’s retails shelves as the number one nonfiction bestseller, according to the list complied and made public by the prestigious Kinokuniya book chain in Singapore. The 240-page book, based…
LOS ANGELES: Asia Society Reports on Gala Book-Launch Event
By Asia Society Southern California Program Intern Ramsina Lazar: “Asia Society Southern California hosted an event for Tom Plate and the release of his new book: Conversations with Ban Ki-Moon. In a quiet library room, a group is eagerly gathered in anticipation with Asia Society Southern California’s latest event: Conversations…
A NOTE FROM THE EDITORS OF ASIA MEDIA: The Courage of Intellectual Engagement
Brandeis University is currently showing, in its Rose Art Museum, an exhibit by a high-profile Middle Eastern artist who presents the Palestinian point of view in his work. This comes at a time of heightened tensions, of course, in the Middle East. We think this academically excellent Massachusetts university of…
LMU, LOS ANGELES: Take a Look at Our ‘Momentum’!
We proudly direct your attention to another site in the LMU universe. Titled ‘Momentum’, it keeps track of the more outstanding developments at Bellarmine College here. The current edition offers a nice article on this ASIA MEDIA site, featuring an interview with one of our more articulate staffers. She is…
The Islam the West Needs to Appeciate (See the Artwork Above)
It surely is safe to say that the true cultural genius and tradition of Islam has been insufficiently appreciated in this time of global tension. Too many other issues have stood in the way. But to mitigate the so-called ‘clash of civilizations’ — or at least to put it into…
LOS ANGELES: Asia Society Event
This vital regional citizens’ organization has been in the service of improving understanding of Asia in America for decades. Its events, with venues mainly in downtown Los Angeles, bring major international figures, academic experts and even spectacular artists into the spotlight of the community. ‘The New Asia Media’ is an…
HONOLULU: Major Journalists from Asia Visiting for U.S. Election
Eight accomplished journalists from various parts of Asia have begun the East-West Center’s special U.S. Presidential Election Reporting Seminar. On the 12-day tour immediately before, during and after the election, the journalists will visit Florida, Ohio and Washington, DC to gain perspectives on the American electoral system and the issues…
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK: UN Secretary General Issues Statement on ‘Conversations with Ban Ki-moon’ Book
November 7, 2012: From UN headquarters in New York, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon commented for the first time on the new book ‘Conversations with Ban Ki-moon: The View from the Top’: “I don’t agree with all of ‘Conversations with Ban Kim-moon’, but that is to be expected. But on the…
TOM PLATE: Japan Bashing by China Will Not Help
Syndicated Asia columnist Tom Plate writes from Los Angeles – America still has much to decide. Among major issues, the U.S. presidential campaign did not (and without comprehensive national review could not) clear up the daunting question of China. The policy differences between the two parties and their candidates, exaggerated…
MYANMAR-BURMA: The Color of Change
Ask, and you shall receive. The people of Burma are undergoing a progressive change in their state-run media that is slow to start- but has nonetheless begun. The military coup of 1962 has reduced the reading of state-run newspapers for the mundane purpose of the obituary page. The new leader…
SOUTH KOREA: Telling It Like It Is
The Korea Times appears to be taking a very unbiased approach when reporting current events. In an article discussing a North Korean soldier’s desertion and a recent leak of military secrets, South Korea’s newspaper maintained a very neutral stance, focusing on stating concrete facts instead of relying on opinion-based writing…
Asia Insight: Our First Video
(A note from ASIA MEDIA: This is a new feature that offers a spotlight to staffers or editors about their special project. The staff of ASIA MEDIA works as a team to produce this periodic site. Its founder, Tom Plate, a member of the LMU faculty, has recently completed a…
THAILAND: Critique Me Not
(This is written by new staff writer Gabriella Castro — welcome aboard, Ms. Castro!) — It seems no person, or company, is free from the lèse-majesté laws of Thailand. Google recently released its transparency report for 2012, giving the public a look into what governments around the world are trying…
THAILAND: Position as Governor of Bangkok Up For Grabs
In a country that takes a backseat to none In the area of having to live with pervasive official corruption, Thai voters — report the country’s news media – are looking for a refreshing change. We hope that one of these days, they will get it. Early next year they…