Cut the shackles, so Asean media can contribute to development goals

Now the international media community and Unesco are pushing hard to include freedom of expression and media independence as part of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), which are presently under discussion. Over recent years, they have learnt that development targets espoused in the Millennium Development Goals were not met, partly because media outlets were restricted from playing their role fully. To be effective, any development agenda, regardless of the country, needs media assistance.

Media freedom in Asean is uneven. By the region’s standard, nearly half of all media outlets enjoy a level of press liberty and freedom of expression. Full compliance with the Asean Charter and with blueprints of the Asean Political and Security Community as well as the Asean Social and Cultural Community will further promote an overall atmosphere of media freedom and democratic discourse. The Asean concept of sharing, together with a people-centered approach, can contribute to the sustainable development goals.

Countries with a freer media such as Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia have weak spots dampening Asean’s overall media freedom and performance record. At the same time, Myanmar’s dramatic media opening has narrowed.

In recent years, Thailand has been the main target of human rights defenders and media watchdog organisations due to media backsliding. Several media gagging orders by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) caused confusion and damaged the country’s long-standing record as a haven of free press. These knee-jerk restrictions failed to appreciate the groundbreaking new media technology that has affected all aspects of our lives. The NCPO still thinks cyberspace and social media can be controlled using threats and technical blockades.

Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha has repeatedly asked for “understanding and tolerance” for his team and working style. But he must do the same with the media - or the NCPO’s policies and strategies will be difficult to implement fully without public debate and accountability, which would make a mockery of the NCPO’s effort to boost transparency and accountability. However, debate last week over energy reforms at the Army Club was constructive and should be encouraged.

Within Asean, the Philippine media is still the freest and most versatile. But the culture of impunity against journalists has damaged the country’s longstanding asset. Filipino media workers are under constant threat amid a risky and unpredictable environment. At least 46 journalists were killed in the past 10 years.

Over the decade, Indonesia has been lauded for its widespread freedom of expression even though overall ethical standards were still found wanting due to proprietor-led content. For instance, the polarisation among media groups ahead of the presidential election in early July showed the influence over voters’ behaviour and outcomes. After the political transformation in 1998, the Indonesian media has become very open and dynamic and helped to boost Indonesia’s standing in Asean and international forums. That helps explain why Jakarta has a clear global agenda beyond Asean.

Myanmar, which for the past three years has commanded positive headlines on media reform, is trying hard now to rein in young journalists and mushrooming media enterprises. Obviously, with the election looming in 2015 and other pressing issues, including the national reconciliation and peace process, the media has become a main target. National development, continued reform and progress require media assistance to get messages to diverse regions inside the country. Access to information, including in ethnic languages, would also promote better understanding and governance among various stakeholders.

But journalists must possess capacities to understand complex challenges ahead of them, especially on sensitive issues regarding religion, communal relations and national security.

In our region, state officials often view media workers with suspicion and mistrust. The charter and other key documents stipulate clearly the role of media in promoting and raising Asean awareness, a sense of community and supporting Asean identity building efforts. That is too narrow-minded. The Asean media agenda must be more encompassing to widen public space and participation. That is what a people-centred Asean is all about.

Asean leaders constantly complain of their citizens’ ignorance of the group’s achievements. The reason is a simple one: Asean needs a new mindset when it comes to the role played by media. Asean has yet to come up with a comprehensive media communication strategy that would inform, educate and engage its 630 million citizens. The current top-down system needs to turn upside down.

Bridging gaps in the level of media freedom among members will enable Asean media to participate actively and fully in attaining the sustainable development goals.