1. Mainstream Media Environment in Asia Challenges and Opportunities for Freedom of Expression: An exploration of the networked communications environment in Asia Yogyakarta, November 2007

2. Article 19 of UDHR Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers

3. Media Freedom in Asia Free Partly Free Not Free JapanIndiaBangladesh South Korea MongoliaCambodia PNGIndonesiaMalaysia Taiwan Timor Leste (↓) Singapore Hong Kong Bhutan (↑) Brunei Philippines (↓) Pakistan (↓) Thailand (↓) Nepal (↓) Sri Lanka (↑) Vietnam China Laos Burma North Korea

4. Key Challenges to Media Freedom in Asia CENSORSHIP Direct censorship: pre and post publication censor, list of banned subjects, official request, pulling programme off the air, jamming. Direct censorship: pre and post publication censor, list of banned subjects, official request, pulling programme off the air, jamming. Indirect censorship through: ownership, advertising, license regulation, broadcasting commission Indirect censorship through: ownership, advertising, license regulation, broadcasting commission Self-censorship Self-censorship

5. Key Challenges to Media Freedom in Asia LEGAL THREAT Defamation Law: Indonesia, Philippines, China, Bangladesh Defamation Law: Indonesia, Philippines, China, Bangladesh Security Law: Malaysia, China Security Law: Malaysia, China Secrecy Law: Malaysia, India Secrecy Law: Malaysia, India Blasphemy Law: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia Blasphemy Law: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia Lese Majeste: Thailand Lese Majeste: Thailand

6. Key Challenges to Media Freedom in Asia ATTACKS & KILLINGS Journalists working in conflict and tribal areas/provinces are the most vulnerable: Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia/Papua,. Journalists working in conflict and tribal areas/provinces are the most vulnerable: Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia/Papua,. Journalists who cover cases of corruption have been targeted, especially in the Philippines, Cambodia. Journalists who cover cases of corruption have been targeted, especially in the Philippines, Cambodia. Culture of impunity: lack of commitment of the government and the police to solve cases of violence against media and killings of journalists. Culture of impunity: lack of commitment of the government and the police to solve cases of violence against media and killings of journalists.

7. Key Challenges to Media Freedom in Asia Other Challenges: Lack of Access to Information Lack of Access to Information Commercialisation of the media Commercialisation of the media Professionalism of the media Professionalism of the media

8. Who have access to the media? Women, marginalised and minority groups point of views’ are rarely heard in the media/news. Women, marginalised and minority groups point of views’ are rarely heard in the media/news. The media strengthen prejudice and stereotypes. The media strengthen prejudice and stereotypes. There is lack of coverage of public interest issues that concern women, marginalised and minority groups. There is lack of coverage of public interest issues that concern women, marginalised and minority groups. There is not enough media professionals from these groups. There is not enough media professionals from these groups.