Politics

Presidential candidate Benigno Aquino III was the most covered candidate in the country's three biggest newspapers during the first weeks of the official campaign in February, reports media watch group Centre for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) in a study released on Mar. 13.

Since the 2010 annual plenary sessions of China's National People's Congress began first week of March, overseas media has been covering a string of hot topics concerning politics, economy and democracy, reflecting China's ever enlarging global influence.

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.

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.

 By Lynette Lee Corporal

MANILA, Feb 18 (Asia Media Forum) – Festive days are here again in the Philippine political scene as 10 presidential candidates – ranging from the son of a former president to an environmentalist, a Christian minister and a former actor – battle it out for the voters’ ‘yes’ come May 10.

By B C Lee

BANGKOK, Feb 9 (Asia Media Forum) — The world is living in illusions and delusion, and the media are partly responsible for this because they "have been contributing to false imagery and false history".

Yet another 'colour' has been added to the multi-hued television channels backed by groups with certain political leanings. The new kid on the block is TV Mahadthai, a satellite television channel set up by Thailand's Ministry of Interior aimed at creating "a better understanding of the ministry's policies and activities, with special emphasis on "protecting the institution [of the monarchy]", according to an article published in the English-language daily 'Bangkok Post' on Feb. 5.

'Thai E-News: News about Thailand that you may not have read in the news' is the slogan of one of Thailand's leading political websites. It has only content and no web board. It is unabashedly 'red', but red with a strange smell. It posts critical points of view from all circles.