The media’s coverage of the House of Representatives’ inquiry into the controversial Bank Century bailout may be finally over, but fear not, the country’s intrepid news hounds have chased another story up a tree in their hunt for ever-increasing ratings.

By Marwaan Macan-Markar

BANGKOK, Mar 11 (IPS) - It may have not won an Oscar, but its having been a final contender for the prestigious statue at the U.S. Academy Awards on Mar. 7 has taken ‘Burma VJ’ to heights never achieved by previous films depicting the oppression and courage in military-ruled Burma.

 By Lynette Lee Corporal

BANGKOK, Mar 11 (Asia Media Forum) — Anyone who is still trying to look for neutrality or balance in the Thai media in these days of political ferment, ahead of large anti-government protests expected in the capital, has a pretty tough job.

By Lynette Lee Corporal

BANGKOK, Mar 10 (Asia Media Forum) — Not even religious advocates and leaders and can say no to the power of online media, whose call they are heeding in order to spread their various messages of spirituality.

   In late January, devout Catholics heard an edict from Pope Benedict XVI urging the flock to use the new media to spread the Good Word. On Feb. 22, the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader, officially opened a Twitter account that now has more than 159,000 followers.

BANGKOK — Bangkok-based news outlets are increasing security at their offices in the run-up to this weekend's anti-government protests.

By Bhuwan Sharma

KATHMANDU, Mar 9 (Asia Media Forum) - The climate of fear that has been growing in this Himalayan country since the murder of two media entrepreneurs and other attacks on journalists may well push them to turn to more self-censorship.

Young Indian women are taking to journalism in droves, but Ammu Joseph, author of several authoritative books on women in media, believes that these numbers do not necessarily translate into gender awareness. IPS Asia-Pacific's Ranjit Devraj interviews Ammu Joseph, Indian journalist, author and media watcher.

With the widespread use of socialnetworking websites, it's not surprising that more and more members of the Thai mainstream media are opting for this new outlet.

 By Lynette Lee Corporal

BANGKOK, Mar 5 (Asia Media Forum) — ‘Grey’ might just be the right shade of colour to give the world of freelance journalism, one where norms differ from one media organisation to another and where ethical dilemmas arise that lead to judgement calls shaped by individual definitions of what is ‘professional’.

By Malini Shankar

BANGALORE, India, Mar 3 (IPS) - Community radio is moving from the margins to the mainstream in many countries in Asia, carving out spaces from where they respond to public needs ranging from disaster management to gender awareness, cultural identity and belonging.