Press freedom alliance launched

Mon, 09 Nov 1998 | Source: AFP

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.

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