Southeast Asia Launches Press Freedom Monitoring Platform
Jakarta, May 29, 2023. Seven organizations launch pfmsea.org, a joint platform to monitor press freedom in Southeast Asia. This monitoring platform functions to monitor and provide real-time data based on attacks and threats against journalists and media workers covering digital safety, physical safety, and legal safety, including various new regulations that limit press freedom.
This collaborative project is developed in accordance with the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals number 16.10.1 where the safety of journalists is one of the indicators. The data presented is the result of direct monitoring in the field or through reporting that has been verified by each cooperating organization.
The database on this platform can be used as a starting point for building an early warning system. So that the response to each case of violence can be carried out in a timely manner.
Not only that, the monitoring data is expected to strengthen analysis and develop good practices to support press freedom. It can also be optimized to mobilize advocacy for regional and international support. In this way, the demand to hold the state accountable and international obligations to protect press freedom are getting louder.
This monitoring platform initiative was initiated out of necessity because there is no open platform that can serve as a public reference regarding documentation of attacks cases on journalists and the media in Southeast Asia, amid increasing pressure on a free press in most countries in Southeast Asia.
The seven organizations involved share the same vision and mission, for fighting and promoting press freedom issues. The seven organizations include the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia, Association of Timor Leste Journalists (ATJL), Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA), Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Merdeka Media Movement Malaysia (GeramM), National Union of Journalists Philippines. (NUJP), and Prachatai.
Contact:
Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) - sekretariat@ajiindonesia.or.id
Timor Leste Journalists Association (ATJL) - voniavieira@yahoo.com
Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA) - ed@camboja.net
Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ) - exec_director@cijmalaysia.net
Free Malaysia Media Movement (GeramM) - geramm.media@gmail.com
National Union of Journalists Philippines (NUJP) - secretariat@nujp.org
Prachatai - teeranai.c@gmail.com