Three top media editors from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will come together in an online forum to discuss their experiences running newsrooms credited for upholding the principles of independent journalism.
Malaysiakini editor-in-chief Steven Gan will be joining Indonesia's Tempo Media CEO Arif Zulkifli and the Philippines' news portal Rappler co-founder Maria Ressa in an online forum beginning 4pm tomorrow.
The forum titled "Press in Distress: Will Independent Journalism Survive in South East Asia" is organised by Malaysia's Freedom Film Network (FFN) in collaboration with other groups from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines working on freedom of expression and media freedom.
To be moderated by founder of The Fourth and award-winning journalist Ian Yee, among topics up for discussion include the role of journalists, media owners, consumers and lawmakers in upholding press freedom and the role of a free press in a democracy.
The discussion will follow an exclusive three-day online screening of "A Thousand Cuts" - a documentary on Ressa's and Rappler's fight against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte since his rise to the Malacanang Palace from Davao in 2016.
Open to media practitioners, independent filmmakers, students and others interested in issues of a free press, tickets for both the online screening and forum are still available.
Media in danger
Rappler's exposés of Duterte's war on drugs had earned Ressa multiple arrests and charges, on top of targeted attacks that also exposed her editorial team to danger.
"We cannot pretend that things will continue in the same way. That's a failure of imagination.
"When I was arrested in February 2019, that was a failure of imagination on my part. I didn't expect them to be so brazen. But they were.
"This film helps us imagine what can happen to our democracy if we don't act now," said the Times' Person of The Year 2018.
Meanwhile, with more news portals adopting a subscription model, Gan said "independent media needs independent financing."
"It needs the support of those it serves - you," said the Malaysiakini co-founder.
From Indonesia, Tempo's history of being banned for four years during Suharto's era eventually saw the media group expanding from print magazine and newspaper to online.
Press freedom does not come easy
Arif also reminded that press freedom does not come easy.
"It is born, raised and guarded by independent journalists, media owners who don't just think about profit, governments who need criticism and the public that hunger for accurate and credible information.
"If at least one of the four is absent, press freedom would be in serious danger," he said.
Aside from FFN, the events are also co-organised by the Center for Independent Journalism and Geramm as its Malaysian partners, alongside Aliansi Jurnalis Independen from Indonesia, and the Philippines' Dakila, Active Vista as well as Rappler. - Mkini
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