Opening a Pandora's Box: The Emergence of a Free Press in Southeast Asia
Author(s)
Coronel, Sheila S.
Abstract
Southeast Asia is arguably the region where the most interesting developments in the field of freedom of expression have taken place over the past 15-20 years. The author takes the reader on a trip around the region, concentrating particularly on the dramatic events in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. She deals with the media’s disclosure of mismanagement by governments and the latter’s attempts to hit back at the press; the dangerous situations this creates for journalists; the buying-off of the free press by powerful commercial groups with political interests; and the responsibility of the press in helping to build up stronger and uncorrupt government institutions. The article gives a panorama of the press situation in the region.
