Press freedom alliance launched

Press freedom alliance launched

BANGKOK (AFP): Southeast Asian journalists launched a new
regional alliance here on Sunday to fight for press freedom and
to monitor attacks on reporters.

The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) will set up a
secretariat in Bangkok next year to urge governments to overturn
repressive media laws and monitor attacks on journalists, a
statement said.

Delegates from independent journalist associations in the
Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand will steer the SEAPA, formed
during a weekend seminar on press freedom in Southeast Asia
organized by the Reporters' Association of Thailand.

Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan told the forum on
Saturday that press freedom was vital to ensuring reform and
openness in the public and private sectors.