ELIZABETH NAAI WRITES – Thailand’s Democrat Party leaders are using momentum from the country’s current protests to further their own, longstanding cause: The overthrow of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinowatra and the dominant Pheu Thai Party. Protests first erupted between royalists (locally coined as “yellow shirts”) and those loyal to Thaksin (the…
Author: Asia Media Staff
PHILIPPINES: Pacquiao’s Career Continues to Face Adversity
TREVOR ISBELL WRITES – With a dominating, unanimous decision victory over Brandon Rios, Manny Pacquiao gives life back to the Philippine Islands after enduring the devastating Typhoon Haiyan. Pacquiao was able to land 223 of his 468 thrown punches, while Brandon Rios was only able to land 113 of his 263.…
QATAR: The Nation’s Other Face
ALEXANDRE GUIRAUD-COINTREAU WRITES – Two German journalists were detained recently by Qatar authorities for investigating the plight of the country’s migrant workers. Filmmaker Peter Giesel and cameraman Robin Ahne were on a follow up investigation for The Guardian, which had previously claimed such laborers faced a form of modern-day slavery.…
NORTH KOREA: First Lady Gone Wild?
RYAN LIPPERT WRITES – Rumors flew recently after several musicians in North Korea’s Unhasu Orchestra were executed for allegedly making porn. Because those killed reportedly included President Kim Jong-Un’s former girlfriend Hyon Song-wol, North Korea watchers said it may ultimately have tied back to the beloved leader’s current wife, Ri…
MOVIE REVIEW: Miyazaki’s Final Work Soars Above the Rest
ROBERT DYLAN FIELDS WRITES – One of the most pressing issues being debated in Japan today is the need to beef up the country’s military presence. Since the end of World War II, Japan has officially gone without an Army (a pacifist constitution being a condition of peace with the Allied…
MYANMAR: “Our Walls Bear Witness” of the Rohingya Genocide
ELODIE INTROIA WRITES – The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is exposing the world to the suffering of the Burmese Rohingyas. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority that represent 4% of Myanmar’s population. Though they’ve lived in Myanmar, also called Burma, for many generations, the country’s most recent Constitution denies them…
TAIWAN: Singer Desert Chang Deserted by Chinese Fans?
BRIAN CANAVE WRITES — It looks like Taiwanese singer Desert Chang has spark political tension with China. Again. It seems small things, such as raising a Republic of China flag during a performance, can rub some people the wrong way. Chang, a leading alternative musician from Taiwan, performed last week…
PAKISTAN: Malala’s Book Banned in Schools
AUSTIN SZABO WRITES – Pakistani student and education activist Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography has been well received everywhere, it seems, but in her own country. On November 11, The Guardian reported that nationwide, Pakistani private schools had banned her book, I Am Malala, from being studied or read. Education officials point…
HONG KONG: More Free Than US?
LAUREN CHEN WRITES – In a column in the South China Morning Post, International author Graeme Maxton lauds Hong Kong for its press freedom. His perspective is based on his experience over the years, writing hundreds of articles and making radio appearances in Hong Kong without being censored for tackling controversial…
THAILAND: Press, a Watchdog of the People?
ELIZABETH NAAI WRITES – Thai politicians are considering an amendment to the Computer Crimes Act that would essentially isolate the country in cyberspace. Already in the tight grasp of bill’s current form and lèse majesté, the proposed amendment would erode what little rights the media has in the nation. Thailand ranks…
CHINA: Kids Say the Darndest Things
LEXIE TUCKER WRITES – What’s more scary – hate speech coming from the mouth of an adult or a child? When Jimmy Kimmel asked on the October 16 episode of his live talk show, “We owe China $13 trillion US of debt; how shall we pay them back?” He was greeted…
VIETNAM: The Human Rights War Continues! Article 258 Strikes Again
YVONNE EPPS WRITES — The results are in and, what do you know? Vietnam isn’t stepping forward to receive the award for Most Hypocritical Media Censorship! I’m sorry Mama Dinh; we really tried our best. Blogger activist, Dinh Nhat Uy, was given a 15-month suspended sentence and home arrest along…
BAHRAIN: 31 Activists Stripped of their Citizenships
AHMED ALKHUZAM WRITES – This time last year, the Bahraini government decided to strip 31 opposition members of their citizenship. This time last week, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and Bahith Research Center jointly held a meeting in Beirut to help keep the issue of their fates alive. “The excuse…
AUSTRALIA: Media Company Seeks ‘Big Money’ With New Stock Shares
AMBER VERNETTI WRITES – Ready for a comeback faster than Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III? Nine Entertainment certainly is. Barely a year after its near bankruptcy, Nine Entertainment Co., one of Australia’s leading media groups, plans to release an initial public offering (IPO), as announced early last week. With this…
MALAYSIA: Trickery beats out U.S. Navy’s Ignorance
MARLENA NIP WRITES– A sneaky Malaysian businessman is accused of overcharging the U.S. Navy and obtaining military secrets from naval officers. Three senior officials were arrested from the United States Navy for taking part in one the highest corruption scandals within the Navy in years. U.S. Naval Commander Jose Luiz…
AFGHANISTAN: The “Courage” of an Afghan Journalist
VITTO BANEZ WRITES – What makes a good journalist? Is it the way they pursue a lead? Or can it be the way they go with their gut? For Najiba Ayubi, it was her love for the media of her homeland. This passion led her to voice her opinion on the country’s…