1. Looking Back and Looking Ahead: the Press in ASEAN Article by Vijay Menon, from the 80s and 90s

2. Contents Objectives Quotable quotes Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Philippines Exercise

3. Objectives Comparison of freedom of press among other Asian countries to gauge degree of difference across countries Understand why the freedom of press is only so much. Know other factors limiting the freedom of press (philosphies, race, religion, gender)

4. See Rant on Asian Dramas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1oV_MzzNSk &feature=channel_video_title

5. Quotable Quotes Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.--Thomas Jefferson The liberty of the press is a blessing when we are inclined to write against others, and a calamity when we find ourselves overborne by the multitude of our assailants.--Samuel Johnson

6. Indonesia And its philosophies.1) Pancasila stresses the consensual and holistic character of the society; it discourages individualism and individual rights. Pancasila is viewed as a national development, of which philosophy stresses social justice, national unity.

7. Indonesia And its real practice.2) Chief Editor of Indonesias Kompas listed 5 roles of the press: strengthen and inject creativity in basic consensus; comprehend/report sensitive social issues; encourage public initiative; report inadequecies and failure with intent to correct.

8. Indonesia And perceptions of press.3) Chief Editor of Jakarta Post insists: all the media exercise self-censorship, but the threat of media bans still endure.Indonesian Constitution uses the press to be a force which encourages healthy development. Press must be constructive and creative and not destructive.

9. Random quote Freedom to be an hoonest writer for a public journal means to overcome internal constraints on professionalism such as self-censorship, irresponsibility and inaccuracy, apart from corruption.--Asad Latif, senior Singaporean writer

10. Malaysia And its philosophies.1) Malaysias national ideology, Rukunegara stresses national unity, democracy, social unity, progressive thought and traditional culture.

11. Malaysia And its real practices.2) Malaysian mass media tended to concentrate on events important to their respective communities. They forward competing ethnic claims and voice the aspirations, hopes, fears of their own racial group.Because of fragility of race relations, govt places high priority on the integrative function of mass media.

12. Malaysia And its perceptions.3) Opposition, press and non-govt orgs bemoan that there is less press freedom because of legal, extra-legal and political controls.While Malaysia has a long way to go before it can be considered free, there are encouraging signs of a more liberal attitude to mass comm.

13. Thailand And its philosophies1) Media did not subscribe to a well-defined national ideology, in persuasion and practice they seemed to accept the role and responsibility enunciated by their counterparts in the region.

14. Thailand And its real practices.2) Thai journalists have adopted the doctrine of social responsibility. Press freedom is seen as a gradual evolving process, not tandem to democracy in Thailand.

15. Thailand And its perceptions.3) Since a press gagging law was lifted, newspapers were no longer subject to the threat of arbitrary closure. Licensing was also liberalised.The newspapers also serve a function of a society watchdog. While print is more free, radio and TV are still restrictive.

16. Random quote .to be free, we have to repudiate colonial textuality. We must resist the temptation to typecast communities in terms inherited from colonialism.--Asad Latif, senior writer

17. Philippines And its philosophies.1) Similar to Thailand, they do not have a fixed ideology.

18. Philippines And its real practice.2) Philippines appear to have opted for the Western liberal model of press, but does not see itself as an adversary in the democratic experiment. It sees itself as a partner in this act, an ally in govt education, disseminating culture and values.

19. Philippines And its perceptions.3) Robust exercise by the press of its function as a social critic of public policies is accepted by govt and people. Their thesis that its democracy can be the framework for sustainable economic growth is bearing fruit.

20. Random quote Papers in large Asian countries must steer away from their mainstream preoccupations and articulate the concerns of the marginalised communities. Marginalisation can mean murder when its victims are minorities.--Asad Latif, Senior writer

21. See Strangers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpjHSiQLPmA What were theCultures and discriminationIssues?

22. ExerciseForward to 2011 Go to https://www.cia.gov/ >Library>The World Factbook Find the above countries (Thailand, Msia, Philippines, Indonesia) and search for population percentages of various races, religions, gender. Also look at telecommunications statistics. Pin point on the most interesting facts of your search and analysis.