Joint Statement
SEAPC-Net Solidarity in Combating
the Pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19)
In response to the increasing number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the world, specifically in the ASEAN region, the Southeast Asian Press Council Network (SEAPC-Net) has conducted a virtual meeting on May 6, 2020.
The SEAPC-Net Chairperson, Mr. Muhammad NUH, states that the virtual meeting is important as a forum for the stakeholders to share their experiences on how the media in Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Timor-Leste respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chairman of Myanmar Press Council, Mr. Ohn Kyaing, says that since the Coronavirus Pandemic is affecting every part of the world, we need to enhance our transboundary cooperation even more.
Chairman of the National Press Council of Thailand Mr. Chavarong Limpattamapanee hopes that we all can recover from this pandemic soon because so many activities in the region have been put on hold appropriately.
Chairman of Timor-Leste Press Council Mr. Virgilio da Silva Guterres voices the need for our solidarity to the people who are affected by the COVID-19. He also mentions how the media has a critical part in combating disinformation circulating the pandemic.
For that reason, The SEAPC-Net would like to convey the following statements:
1. The SEAPC-Net recognizes the attempt of the Governments of Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Timor Leste respectively, to overcome the pandemic in their respective territories. We are sure that they will continue doing everything within their power to handle COVID-19 and to reduce it’s potential impacts, especially in the social and economic sectors.
2. The SEAPC-Net highly appreciates all the hard work provided by the healthcare workers in their effort to contain the pandemic. Their service will not go unnoticed.
3. The SEAPC-Net appreciates all elements of the press for continuing to cover and report the updates of the COVID-19 pandemic so that the public could get the information needed, especially in terms of building collective awareness to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. The SEAPC-Net kindly reminds the media newsroom to always comply with the basic principles in the journalists’ code of ethics as well as to maintain the health and safety protocol of the press workers in reporting the COVID-19 updates.
5. The SEAPC-Net encourages Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Timor-Leste governments to strengthen the press community in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the role that the press holds; accelerating the public recovery by providing solid information.
6. The SEAPC-Net would like to invite more stakeholders to reinforce our social solidarity by paying special attention to the people who have lost their daily livelihoods as partial lockdowns have just started to transpire in some regions. We believe that the spirit of volunteerism and coordination is the key for us to get through this together faster.
Jakarta, May 6, 2020
SEACP-Net
Muhammad NUH Chairperson
Contact Members:
Chairman of Myanmar Press Council U Ohn Kyaing
+09448026326
Email: mmpresscouncil@gmail.com
Chairman of National Press Council of Thailand Chavarong Limpattamapanee
+66815627175
Chairman of Timor-Leste Press Council
Virgilio da Silva Guterres
+670 73173198
Email: virgilio.guterres@conselhoimprensa.tl
Secretary General SEAPC-Net
Asep Setiawan
+628567980840
Email: asepsetia@gmail.com
Southeast Asian Press Council Network 