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.