THAILAND: Transfer of Censorship Powers to Police Criticized
The Ministry of Culture recently passed an amendment to the Printing Act of 2007 that makes the national police chief head of Thailand’s censorship board. The Bangkok Post, Thailand’s leading English-language daily newspaper, referred to this move as “a step backwards and aimed at empowering the government to take complete control of the media.”
Full Article THAILAND: Transfer of Censorship Powers to Police CriticizedPHILIPPINES: Radio Station Latest Target in Wave of Media Attacks as Government Falls Asleep
Nearly two years after the Maguindanao massacre in which 32 journalists were murdered, the Catholic-run radio station dzVT in Luzon has been hit with an arson attack that destroyed 10 million pesos (about 230 thousand USD) worth of transmission equipment. The police believe the fire started in the dead of night and found…
Full Article PHILIPPINES: Radio Station Latest Target in Wave of Media Attacks as Government Falls AsleepJAPAN: Free Speech VS. Political Correctness in Journalist’s Comments
According to the Japanese government, seventeen Japanese citizens were abducted and taken to North Korea during the 1970s and 1980s. Among those who are reportedly held by the communist nation is Keiko Arimoto. In 2009, TV Asahi, a Japanese television network, featured a debate program during which journalist Soichiro Tahara…
Full Article JAPAN: Free Speech VS. Political Correctness in Journalist’s CommentsTAIWAN: The Taiwan Critique
Taiwanese journalists are almost up in arms over the increase in corporate involvement in its media system. They argue that corporate monopolization and political appetite are putting at risk the ability of Taiwan’s news media to support democracy via ethical and professional journalism.
Full Article TAIWAN: The Taiwan CritiqueSOUTH KOREA: Where Men Get Treated Like Dogs?
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, a major English-language Korean daily newspaper, two recent complaints against entertainment outlets regarding demeaning representations of men were dismissed by separate arbiters…
Full Article SOUTH KOREA: Where Men Get Treated Like Dogs?INDIA: Did the Minister’s Wife Incite Recent Media Attacks?
This past weekend, a group of reporters at the Mathura das Mathus hospital in Jodhpur found themselves under attack by a group of approximately 25 people. The mob physically assaulted journalists and damaged their equipment. Two reporters received mild injuries and an entire news channel van was damaged.
Full Article INDIA: Did the Minister’s Wife Incite Recent Media Attacks?SINGAPORE: Forum Held to Promote Usage of Media for Teaching English
Earlier this month the Straits Times, Singapore’s most widely read newspaper, held its third “Sunday Times’ Parents Forum” where speakers encouraged the parental usage of English-language media in the education of their children…
Full Article SINGAPORE: Forum Held to Promote Usage of Media for Teaching EnglishKudos Corner
In our judgment, David Pilling is easily and consistently the best (non-U.S.) columnist writing about Asia, and has been honored once again for his perceptive and leading-edge commentaries on the world’s fastest rising region. This time the honor comes from the 2011 Comment Awards in London (sponsored by Barclays and…
Full Article Kudos CornerPACIFIC PERSPECTIVES: Vietnam on the Positive side, Asia on the American Mind
16 November 2011 Los Angeles — Real-life diplomacy reveals, as Lord Palmerston, twice British prime minister (1855-8, 1859-65), famously put it: “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.” Over the decades…
Full Article PACIFIC PERSPECTIVES: Vietnam on the Positive side, Asia on the American MindUNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Book Fair finds a benefactor in Al Qasimi
Why would UNESCO’s participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair make the headlines of one of the leading English Dailies of UAE and the Gulf States- The Khaleej News? On October 31st, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, granted Palestine’s bid for full membership in the organization. In response, by the U.S., as expected, announced cutbacks UNESCO funding, leaving the organization short $65 million USD for the end of the year budget…
Full Article UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Book Fair finds a benefactor in Al Qasimi
One Night in Bangkok by Chris Coles
Intimate Landscapes by Chris Coles
China Blog Blotter – Issue #3 Freedom of Speech on the Internet
Chinese Netizens understand that its government controls every form of the media. State censorship is the norm, and Chinese people have come to accept that. Even so, Chinese Netizens regard the internet as a better reflection of reality than traditional media. Through their personal blogs, they are able to express…
Full Article China Blog Blotter – Issue #3 Freedom of Speech on the InternetJAPAN: Cityscapes of Iron
The great contemporary artist Enoki Chu was inspired to become a painter after an unfortunate motorcycle accident. Chu decided to challenge himself and began exhibiting his paintings in 1965 to 1970 in the Kobe-based Niki-kai exhibitions. One of his artistic inspirations was the infamous Marcel Duchamp, who is notorious for (among…
Full Article JAPAN: Cityscapes of Iron
TAIWAN: Tang Fei Video Interview
The Asia Media Interview HOW DANGEROUS IS CHINA’S MILITARY BUILDUP? An Exclusive Interview with Tang Fei, former Premier of Taiwan and Career Air Force Officer. Interviewed by Tom Plate, Asia Media’s Editor in Chief No one can be certain, of course, but Tang Fei’s guess may be better than almost…
Full Article TAIWAN: Tang Fei Video InterviewINDIA: Famous Justice Stirs the Media Pot
Press Council of India (PCI) Chairman, Justice Maskeney Katju, recently made statements condemning the Indian media as well as Indian journalists. Such strong sentiments coming from the PCI chief are sparking varied reactions…
Full Article INDIA: Famous Justice Stirs the Media Pot