The Politics of Southeast Asia's New Media

The past decade has seen a major structural shift in broadcasting in Southeast Asia, with the development of digital satellite and cable broadcasting. This shift has impacted upon some of the most information-sensitive governments in the world: Singapore, Malaysia and, until recently, Indonesia. Atkins traces this development in five countries, showing that the challenge to authoritarian regimes, anticipated by modern theorists as a result of the globalization of news and information, is not materializing. Instead, a new commercial elite has arisen, Southeast Asia's own mini-moguls, who act as gatekeepers for state interests, as partners to global media companies. The Past Decade Has Witnessed A Major Structural Shift In Media In Southeast Asia, With The Development Of Digital Satellite And Cable Broadcasting - Often Involving Major International Media Organizations, Such As The Bbc, Cnn And Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. This Shift Has Impacted Upon Some Of The Most Information-sensitive Governments In The World, Including Singapore, Malaysia And Indonesia. This Book Traces The Developments In Five Countries, Showing That There Has Not Been, As Many Observers Expected, A Collapse Of State Control Or An Erosion Of National Borders As A Result Of The Globalization Of News And Information. Instead, State Control Continues In New, More Subtle Forms. New Commercial Elites, Southeast Asia's Own Mini-moguls, Act As Gatekeeper For State Interests, As Partner To Global Media Companies. The Challenge To Authoritarian Regimes Anticipated By Modernization Theorists Is Not Materializing. The Politics Of Southeast Asia's New Media Offers A Comprehensive Account Of The Political Economy Of Southeast Asia's Media Industries. It Is A Valuable Tool For Company Executives, Policy-makers, Media Organizations And Scholars Wishing To Gain An Understanding Of The Relationships Between Media Policy, Economic Development And Democracy In The New Media Environment.--book Jacket. 1. Introduction -- 2. The Evolution Of Southeast Asia's Media Culture -- 3. The International Challenge -- 4. Signals Of Change: The Bangkok Crisis, May 1992 -- 5. Reassertion Of State Control -- Domestic Dimensions -- 6. Reassertion Of State Control -- International Dimensions -- 7. State Media Management During A Crisis: Jakarta, June-august 1996 -- 8. Southeast Asia's Mediascape During Economic Crisis -- 9. Conclusion. William Atkins. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 221-227) And Index. Demonstrates that the challenge to authoritarian regimes, anticipated by modern theorists as a result of the globalization of news and information, is not materializing. Instead, state control is continuing in new, subtler forms. In August 1985 a satellite in geostationary orbit above the Indonesian archipelago spun off course, plunging the Indonesian nation into a communications crisis.