Southeast Asian Media Legal Defense Network Launches in Kuala Lumpur

By: Ross Settles | 07/23/2010

SEAMLDN officially launches regional network to support the legal defense of media freedom in Southeast Asia.

Media controls are a complicated business. We are all aware of the overt control exerted over the media in markets where the media is owned or “affiliated” with the government or where access to the Internet is filtered through a firewall. But, in markets across Asia less overt but equally effective techniques are used to keep the media under control or out of the picture. These techniques often take the form of legal or administrative barriers to operations.

In the case of Malaysia, we have seen one book of editorial cartoons banned from distribution, and several print publications have had their publishing license challenged. In a media environment where media business models are already fragile, independent media operators can be crushed by the high costs of defending themselves against legal challenges.

Last night in Kuala Lumpur, the Southeast Asia Media Legal Defense Network (SEAMLDN) launched creating a regional network of lawyers, journalists and media activists to support media operators facing legal challenges in the region. SEAMLDN efforts to provide support for defending media and freedom of expression include: Paying legal fees Helping to access legal advice from a global network of media law experts Providing training in media law and litigation Providing a forum for the exchange of information and experience among media lawyers.

The Network, affiliated with the Media Legal Defense Initiative (MLDI), creates an important focal point for the legal defense of media and freedom of expression.

More information can be found on the launch at MalaysiaKini.com [中文] 媒体法律辩护网络正式推介关注与援助网络媒体部落客

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