Stories about East Asia from June, 2012
South Korea: Broadcasters’ Battle for Fair Journalism Continues
In South Korea, an indefinite strike by broadcasters has continued for almost five months in the nation's largest TV network, MBC. Journalists and producers are urging the company president to step down, accusing him of incapacitating investigative new programs that criticize the government by firing or reprimanding reporters and producers.
Will a Unified Time Zone Work for Indonesia?
Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic country, plans to synchronize its three time zones on October. The business sector is supporting the plan but netizens and religious leaders have many questions.
Hong Kong: Leading English Newspaper Turns Red?
A series of recently leaked email exchanges between the chief editor and sub-editor of a leading English newspaper in Hong Kong, regarding the coverage of mainland Chinese political activist Li Wangyang's staged suicide, has highlighted a deteriorating state of press freedom.
China: NGOs Struggle Under the ‘Big Government’
A TV host's comment on the Hunan education authority's uncooperative attitude towards a rural teacher training program has turned into a national debate on whether or not the Chinese NGOs sector should be more independent from the state.
Debate Over South Korea Forcing Blizzard to Give Diablo III Refunds
South Korea’s Fair Trade commission raided online game maker Blizzard’s headquarters in Seoul after receiving complaints about the availability of Diablo 3. It has started a debate in a game community website Massively about Blizzard's decision to offer affected users a full refund, but with a few conditions attached.
South Korea: Taxi Drivers’ Mass Strike
Net user GI Drop wrote about recent taxi drivers’ mass strike in South Korea. And many comments followed the post in the ROK Drop blog.
China: Space Missions or Social Development?
On June 16, China successfully launched its Shenzhou-9 capsule into space. Some netizens have criticized the government's excessive spending on a space mission whilst basic social needs are still lacking in many parts of the country.
Myanmar: Burmese Proverbs
Fifty Viss created a Tumblr account called Zagabon, to collect and publish Burmese proverbs and sayings, along with English translations and context if necessary
Thailand: Prospects of Judicial Coup
Bangkok Pundit discusses the prospect of a judicial coup in Thailand
Thailand: Reconciliation Bills
Aim Sinpeng links to an unofficial translation of the four versions of the important articles of the proposed reconciliation bills which are being tackled now in the Thailand parliament.
China: Africans Protest a Suspicious Death in Police Custody
Chinese public opinion has been highly divisive following a protest involving hundreds of African residents of Guangzhou this week, sparked by the suspicious police station death of a member of the southern Chinese city's large African community.
Ai Weiwei's lawyer was missing as the tax hearing approaches
Upon the hearing of the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei’s tax case hearing on Wednesday, Ai told the Guardian that he was warned by the police to stay away from the court. Ai also said his legal consultant, Liu Xiaoyuan, has been unreachable since he was told to meet state...
Twitterjaya: Aiming to be Malaysia's Twitter Account
The @twt_malaysia twitter account was set-up to curate tweets about Malaysia. A new curator is chosen every Monday
Myanmar: Netizens Celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's Birthday
Myanmar netizens sent online birthday greetings to opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who is in Europe for her first foreign trip after two decades. Netizens are wondering why state media networks didn't report the Nobel Peace Prize lecture which Suu Kyi recently delivered
South Korea: Former Dictator's Cadet Review Sparks Public Anger
In South Korea, a former president notorious for directing a massacre and oppressing democratic activists during his term (1980-88), has been criticized for participating in a cadet review at the Korea Military Academy and enjoying perks as a former head of the state, despite his criminal records.
China, Hong Kong: ‘Happy Ad’ for Student Abortions Ignites Debate
A hospital in mainland China has advertised a special installment payment package for university students, for getting abortions conveniently in the event of accidental or unwanted pregnancies. The hospital's marketing poster has caught the attention of Hong Kong's netizens.
Hong Kong, China: Military Vehicles Entered the City
Dictionary of Politically Incorrect Hong Kong Cantonese posted photos and video taken by netizens on the night of June 15th, showing military vehicles of the People Liberation Army running on the busy city streets. Many believe that this is a move to scare people away from July 1st demonstration.
China: Must Private Charity have Government Blessing?
China Media Project has translated a commentary on the recent discussion about the development of charity in China. The commentary is triggered off by a criticism made by a TV anchor, Cui Yongyuan on the Hunan Education Bureau's uncooperative manner towards charity work.
Singapore: Alternatives to Minimum Wage
Kumaran Pillai, editor of The Online Citizen, identifies alternatives to the proposed minimum wage system in Singapore
Latvia: Jackie Chan Blogs About Filming in Jelgava
Facebook page “If you like Latvia, Latvia likes you” highlights movie star Jackie Chan's April 2012 blog post, in which he shared his “impressions about 15 day long filming of movie stunts in Jelgava, Latvia, plus lots of photos. He tells about flying experience in Aerodium vertical wind tunnel, which...
South Korea: Fight Continues over Jeju Naval Base Construction
GangJeong, a small rural town in the Jeju island has made headlines for several months with intense conflict going on between the government forging ahead with its construction plan and environmentalists and rights groups struggling to protect the natural resources. A net user posted an English subtitle (not embedded) for...
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