Timor Leste Press Council Chair Otelio Ote, also the Chair of SEAPC-Net, chaired a meeting on Thursday (9/5) in Dili, Timor Leste.
The meeting discussed SEAPC-Net’s programs for the coming years. One proposed program is inviting the Press Council or similar Southeast Asian institutions to become members.
It also discussed plans to invite media organizations and Southeast Asian journalists to become associate members.
SEAPC-Net is also preparing a secretariat to organize the next program.
Present at the SEAPC-Net meeting were representatives from the Indonesian Press Council Asep Setiawan and representatives from the Thai Press Council Anucha Charoenpo. From Timor Leste, Press Council members Benevidas, Isabel M. F. de Jesus, Amito Qonusere Araújo and Francisco B.S. da Costa were present.
Bali – Conselho de Imprensa de Timor-Leste (CI) maka lidera prezidensia organizasaun Southeast Asian Press Council-Network (SEAPC-Net) iha perÃodu tinan 2023-2025, liuhusi enkontru segunda asembleia jerál, iha Bali, Indonézia, 29 Novembru 2023.
Tuir estatutu SEAPC-Net, tranferénsia lideransa SEAPC-Net bazeia ba órden alfabetu, nune’e, tuir loloos, hafoin Dewan Pers Indonesia maka lidera prezidénsia organizasaun SEAPC-Net husi tinan 2019 to’o 2023, kontinua kedan husi entre Myanmar Press Council, The National Press Council of Thailand.
Maibé, Myanmar ho Thailand seidauk prontu atu lidera organizasaun SEAPC-Net, entaun liuhusi Asembleia Jerál, Membru sira deside entrega Prezidénsia SEAPC-Net ba Conselho de Imprensa de Timor-Leste mak lidera.
Prezidente SEAPC-Net, Otélio Ote (CI), Sekretáriu Jerál, Benevides Correia Barros (CI), Vise Prezidente, Ohn Maung (MPC), Diretór SEAPC-Net CI nian maka Konselleiru Amito Araujo, Diretór SEAPC-Net Indonézia maka Ninik Rahayu, Diretór SEAPC-Net Thailandia maka Chavarong Limpattamapanne no Diretór SEAPC-Net Myanmar maka Zaw Than.
Segunda asembleia SEAPC-Net ko’alia kona-ba amandamentu ba enkuadramentu legál (estatutu) organizasaun SEAPC-Net, espansaun organizasaun SEAPC-Net ba Conselho de Imprensa sira iha Azean atu bele hola parte iha rede Conselho de Imprensa ne’e.
Aleinde ne’e, ko’alia mós kona-ba sustentabilidade SEAPC-Net nian iha futuru, liu-liu oinsá bele kria programa atividade sira bazeia ba misaun no vizaun organizasaun SEAPC-Net nian, ikus liu maka entrega prezidénsia organizasaun SEAPC-Net husi Dewan Pers Indonézia.
Enkontru segundu asembleia jerál SEAPC-Net, hala’o iha Ótel Le Méridian, Bali, 29 Novembru 2023, partisipa husi Dewan Pers Indonesia, Myanmar Press Council, The National Press Council of Thailand no Conselho de Imprensa de Timor-Leste. (CI)
Source: https://conselhoimprensa.tl/eventu/atividade/708-ci-lidera-prezidensia-seapc-net-periodu-2023-2025
The comprehensive SEAPC-NET activity report offers an extensive analysis of the network’s initiatives, covering the period from its establishment in 2019 to 2023. Despite encountering unforeseen challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic, SEAPC-NET demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, steadfastly pursuing its mission to promote collaboration and elevate media practices across Southeast Asia. Throughout this period, the network remained committed to its objectives, successfully navigating the complexities brought about by the pandemic and emphasizing the importance of cooperation and innovation in the region’s media landscape.
When SEAPC-NET was established in 2019, little could have prepared its founding members for the unprecedented global outbreak of COVID-19 that would transform the landscape of human activities. In the wake of the pandemic, SEAPC- NET, like many other organizations, swiftly transitioned to virtual platforms for its community and government engagements. The reliance on virtual meetings became emblematic of the organization’s commitment to adapt and persevere during these challenging times.
SEAPC-NET’s activities from 2020 to 2022 were mainly conducted in virtual spaces. This reflects the organization’s commitment to prioritize the safety and well-being of its participants. During this period, SEAPC-NET navigated the changing circumstances due to COVID-19 and carefully monitored the pandemic’s decline while recognizing the need to continue being cautious when organizing physical events. Virtual meetings became the norm, enabling ongoing dialogue and collaboration between the four member countries and the wider press community in Southeast Asia.
In the initial stages of SEAPC-NET’s journey, the focus was on strengthening the organization’s infrastructure. This involved establishing a structured secretariat, improving correspondence and administrative processes, designing the SEAPC-NET logo, and developing an internet-based SEAPC-NET data center hosted at seapc-net.org. These efforts laid the foundation for SEAPC-NET’s operational efficiency and visibility.In late 2021, a significant milestone was achieved when SEAPC-NET members agreed to expand membership categories to include “associated members.”
These new members encompassed press companies, journalist organizations, and institutions affiliated with and supportive of the press and journalists in Southeast Asia. Moreover, there were discussions about extending this non-permanent membership category to European entities. However, owing to the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of this expansion remained pending until 2023. The General Assembly scheduled for November in Bali is anticipated to provide a platform for the decision-making process regarding the inclusion of permanent members.This report briefly outlines the pivotal role played by the Secretariat in SEAPCNET’s activities. From the creation of the organization’s logo to the development of the search-net.org website, the Secretariat has been instrumental in supporting the network’s initiatives and ensuring the smooth functioning of various activities.
SEAPC-NET report not only summarizes the activities and their outcomes but also includes an array of supporting documents, such as photographs, news articles from various countries, and other evidential materials. These documents serve as undeniable proof of the network’s commitment to transparency and accountability, and also serve as valuable resources for future planning and decision-making. Without a doubt, this SEAPC-NET activity report is a testament to the organization’s dedication to its mission, despite the global pandemic’s challenges. It provides a rock-solid foundation for future activities, serves as a crucial resource for the SEAPC-NET board, and underscores the network’s unshakable commitment to promoting professional journalism and media ethics across Southeast Asia and beyond.
The Southeast Asian Press Council Network (SEAPC-Net) is gearing up for its general meeting, scheduled to take place in Bali in early December 2023. While the exact date is yet to be finalized, discussions will conclude no later than the middle of December 2023. This significant event is distinct from the Bali Democracy Forum and is slated to precede it on the calendar.
Among the key items at the meeting on October 25, 2023, which started at 2 PM Indonesian Western Time, was the formal handover of Indonesia’s chairmanship to other member nations. This leadership transition is expected to be a pivotal moment in the organization’s history.
Transportation and accommodation arrangements for the participants will be coordinated by the Press Council of Indonesia, with details set to be communicated promptly to all attendees.
Several other proposed agenda items are expected to be addressed during the General Meeting, including a revision of SEAPC-Net’s constitution, an expansion of membership to the region, and discussions on how the media can adapt and respond to the evolving media landscape.
The list of participants includes prominent figures in the field, such as Ninik Rahayu, Totok Suryanto, Sudrajat Ema Mukarramah, Wawan Prasetyo, Mr. Chavarong, Mr. Myo Tun, Mr. Otelio Ote, Mr. Beny, Mr. Antonio Dias, Mr. Kavi, Ms. Isabel, and Ms. Sumonchaya Prang.
Mr. Asep Setiawan and Mr. Sudrajat served as the moderators and MCs for the event, ensuring smooth proceedings and discussions.
Documentation for the meeting preparation was managed by Ms. Intan R and Mr. Wawan.
As the date of the SEAPC-Net General Meeting draws nearer, anticipation is building within the Southeast Asian press community. The meeting promises to be a forum for critical discussions and strategic decisions that will shape the future of journalism and press freedom in the region.
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 