Media and Politics in South-East Asia

Media and Politics

Media and politics may be two distinct spheres, but they have some similarities

Both of them persuade They communicate and influence

Media and politics both need each other

For politicians and overnments to have their messa e across, with media propa atin the messa e to as much audience as possible! But media has more permanent interest" to serve as critic of society, at least in theory

They both have vested interests

Media and Politics

#ommunication is strate ic for politics

involves activities leadin to persuasion for support of different policies and pro$ects Some see it as a bastion of democracy, others as a hindrance to pro ress 't may serve the (people)" the masses, or the elites in power& The media outlets* owners& +overnment& (%ho is in char e&)

%ho should be more powerful& Media, or politics&

Media in South-East Asia

,iverse as the polities comprisin the re ion

Some free-wheelin , others restricted or controlled by the people in power #ommon emphasis on harmony, self-regulation, responsibility vs. freedom As a tool for democrati-ation #orrupt, irresponsible, unreliable Medium for political a enda and propa anda

,ifferent perspectives

Media in South-East Asia

,ifferent ownership and re ulatory structures

overnment owned, to owned by economic elites or the military . (cronies) varyin ran e of re ulation and censorship economic and political crises (opposition) . democrati-ation movements rise of (social media), blo s and other forms of e/pression

All challen ed by e/ternal, technolo ical pressures

Brunei #ambodia 'ndonesia 7aos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Sin apore Thailand <ietnam

01 34 56 85 39 81 5: 30 3; 85

2ot Free 2ot Free Partly Free 2ot Free 2ot Free 2ot Free Partly Free 2ot Free Partly Free 2ot Free
Source" Freedom =ouse, :;4:

Media and Politics in Sin apore

Sin apore

>ne of the smallest countries in South East Asia Population" 1!:3 million Richest country in the re ion per capita ?%orld Ban@, :;4:A Bnown for havin a pro ressive economy while maintainin racial and social harmony

Media in Sin apore

>ne of the most developed in the re ion 0 T< stations, 45 radio stations, 43 newspapers <ery hi h internet use in proportion to population" 4;!;0 million ?i,A, 2ovember :;4:A

Media in Sin apore

=as an e/tensive media industry disproportionate to its si-e

Most publishers and stations are overnment-owned but commercially run (tou hest in the re ion) e/ercise of self-censorship media seen by overnment more of an inconvenience than a partner in development

+overnment has e/tensive control over the media

Media in Sin apore

Media in Sin apore started with the introduction of newspapers Singapore Chronicle and Straits Times when the country was still a British colony As the country enters independence and its recent history, media served as witness to these developments ,evelopment parallel to country*s economic pro ress

'ntroduction of radio, T< by the overnment 7ater on, cable television and the internet

Media in Sin apore

Most media outfits in Sin apore are owned by overnment-owned companies or its allies Forei n press is present, but oftentimes restricted 'nternet increasin ly serves as alternative view for discussion and dissent

Media in Sin apore

<arious modes of censorship and re ulation

2ewspaper and Printin Press Act of 4605 'nternal Security Act Films Act 7ibel law Sporadic bloc@in of internet websites

Media in Sin apore

The Sin aporean overnment $ustifies this to preserve racial harmony and promote (nationbuildin ) =istorical (trauma) of the overnment with the media

racial riots spar@ed by Malay C #hinese newspapers corruption cases media outfits harborin (communists)

Sin aporean overnment positions itself as (victim) of the press

Media in Sin apore

Dournalists aren*t forced to write whatever the overnment wants to

But (self-censorship) is present, with media (feelin ) what could be the overnment*s sentiments are +overnment officials want people (who arrive at the ri ht conclusions independently)

instead of ma@in them act li@e puppets

Etili-in the reality that media is still a business

Esin both capitalist and political tools to control the media

Media in Sin apore

'nternet has brou ht chan e in the country*s media and politics

rise of blo s, discussion roups and forums overnment is swift to adapt

but containin dissent in the internet will be hard to do