This document provides an overview of media regulation systems in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Timor Leste. It discusses the different approaches to media regulation, including obligatory/statutory regulations set by governments versus voluntary self-regulation or co-regulation between the state and media organizations. It also examines the roles and organizational principles of media regulatory bodies in the region, focusing on indicators like democratic representation, independence, transparent decision-making, and commitment to media ethics and press freedom. Links to additional resources on the laws and oversight mechanisms in these countries are also included.
1. Media Regulation
by SEAPA
Comparative Study on
Media Regulation System
in Southeast Asia
https://www.seapa.org/
Indonesia; Myanmar; Philippines;
Thailand; Timor Leste;
February 2017
7. Organizational Principles of the
Media Regulation Mechanism
key indicators of a good
media regulation
mechanism
Democratic representation
Organizational Independence
Accountable, Transparent and
Effective Decision Making
with due procedures and effective function (decision
followed by constituents
Clear standards as basis of
decisions
1.
2.
3.
4.
well-represented community and stakeholders, open,
clear and fair selection process and balance of power
not under government body, with Fiscal Autonomy
8. Roles of Press Council
7 key indicators of a good
media regulation
mechanism
Roles and Goals of a Media
Regulation Bodies
1.
2.
3.
4.
Commitment to Media Ethics
Promotion and Protection of Press
Freedom
Ensuring Media Independence
(from conflicts of interest, political and other pressures)
Fostering Media Pluralism
(diversity of voices)
9. Links
Ambardi, Kuskridho, Gilang Parahita, Lisa Lindawati, Adam Sukarno, and Nella Aprilia. “Mapping Digital Media: Indonesia.”
Open Society Foundations, January 13, 2014. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/mapping-digital-
media-indonesia-20140326.pdf.
Article 19. “Legal Analysis: Myanmar Printing and Publishing Law 2014.” Article 19. Accessed February 3, 2017.
https://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/37765/14-11-11-LA-print-publishing.pdf.
———. “Legal Analysis: The Myanmar Law on Broadcasting.” Article 19, November 20, 2015. https://www.article19.org
/data/files/medialibrary/38199/15-11-24-Myanmar-Broadcasting-analysis.pdf.
———. “Legal Analysis: The Myanmar News Media Law 2014.” Article, 2014. https://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary
/37623/News-Media-Law-Myanmar-EN.pdf.
Bengco, Regina. “The Philippine Press Council: Surviving the Challenges.” Reginabengco, October 2, 2011.
https://reginabengco.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/the-philippine-press-council-surviving-the-challenges/.
Burma Library. “Myanmar Media Law.” Burma Library, 2014. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs17/2014-Media_Law-en.pdf.
Cishecki, Melanie. “Co-Regulation: A New Model of Media Regulation.” United Nations, Division for the Advancement of Woman
(DAW), 2002. http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/egm/media2002/reports/EP3Cishecki.PDF.
Foster, Michelle. “The Business of Media in Myanmar, 2013.” Internews. Accessed February 3, 2017. https://internews.org/sites
/default/files/resources/Internews_Burma_Business_Report2014.pdf.
Freedom House. “License to Censor: The Use of Media Regulation to Restrict Press Freedom - Indonesia.” Refworld, October
20, 2011. http://www.refworld.org/docid/4eccefc6c.html.
———. “Timor-Leste | Country Report | Freedom of the Press 2015.” Freedom House, 2015. https://freedomhouse.org/report
/freedom-press/2015/timor-leste.
10. Links
Indonesian Press Council. “Act of the Republic of Indonesia Number 40 of 1999 on the Press.” Press Council, 1999.
http://www.presscouncil.or.id/fileuploadmaster/956695Indonesian Press Law_ok 8 juni 2012.pdf.
———. “History - Indonesian Press Council.” Press Council, 2016. http://www.presscouncil.or.id/about/?id=1.
La’o Hamutuk. “Proposed Media Law.” La’o Hamutuk, June 15, 2016. http://www.laohamutuk.org/misc/MediaLaw
/14MediaLaw.htm.
NBTC. “The Fundamental Acts Relating to Telecommunications and Broadcasting Services (UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION).”
Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, 2010. https://broadcast.nbtc.go.th
/data/document/law/doc/th/580300000001.pdf.
Oldag, Andreas, Denis Schrey, Lena Ruge, Noyel Ry, and Martina Mayr. “Freedom of the Press and Media Regulation in
Cambodia.” Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, 2015. http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_41221-544-1-30.pdf?150521041653.
PPI. “About PPC.” Philippine Press Institute, July 18, 2016. https://www.philpressinstitute.net/about-ppc-2/.
SEAPA. “Timor Leste Appoints Press Council.” SEAPA, March 16, 2016. https://www.facebook.com/notes/seapa-southeast-
asian-press-alliance/timor-leste-appoints-press-council/985354281554808/.
Southeast Asian Press Alliance. “Media Freedom and Regulation in Timor Leste.” IFEX, May 19, 2015. http://www.ifex.org
/east_timor/2015/05/19/freedom_regulation/.
The Government of Timor Leste. Decree Law No.25/2015 of 5 August: Establishing the Press Council and Approvind Its
Statuses (2015). http://www.laohamutuk.org/misc/MediaLaw/DL25-2015KonsImpEn.pdf.
Freedom House. “Timor-Leste | Country Report | Freedom of the Press | 2015.” Accessed February 6, 2017.
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/timor-leste.
Tuazon, Ramon R. “Philippine Television: That’s Entertainment.” National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Accessed
February 6, 2017. http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-disseminationscd/communication
/philippine-television-thats-entertainment/.
