ASEAN TV gets go-ahead

ASEAN TV gets go-ahead

BANGKOK (DPA): Southeast Asian nations, unhappy with what they
consider overly negative and Western-dominated reporting on the
region, agreed yesterday to set up a regional television channel.

"When we want to find out something about Singapore, Thailand,
Myanmar or Vietnam we don't have to hear only the loud voices
from the big boys, but we also hear the softer, gentler voices
from each country," said Singapore's Information Minister
Brigadier General George Yeo.

Information ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) agreed to set up the TV channel by 2000 on the
second and final day of their 5th conference in Bangkok
yesterday.

"We want to have our own voice," said Thai minister to the
Prime Minister's Office Supatra Masdit.