ABS-CBN Struggles to Stay as 'Kapamilya Forever' Article The recent shutdown of broadcast giant ABS-CBN is but one of the pieces of mounting evidence—arguably the most damning—of how fragile the state of media freedom in the Philippines has become under President Rodrigo Duterte. By Yvonne T. Chua
Just, Inclusive, and Sustainable Post-COVID-19 Recovery Article Two months ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic with 4,801,202 cases and more than 318,935 deaths as a result of the coronavirus as of current writing. The last few months have been daunting with COVID-19 almost paralyzed the entire world with various countries putting different areas under their jurisdiction in lockdowns. By Jed Alegado
Environmental Impact Assessment in Southeast Asia Research Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been established in Southeast Asia for over 40 years. Each ASEAN Member State, with the exception of Singapore, has a formal and legally binding system of environmental impact assessment for major project that may have a significant environmental or social impact. By Matthew Baird
Pollinator-Friendly Yards: How You Can Help Protect Pollinators Article Most plants rely on animal pollinators for reproduction, especially in the tropics where an estimated 94% of flowering plant species require pollinators. However, pollinator populations have been declining worldwide, and two of the main factors driving pollinator declines include habitat loss and pesticide use. The good news is that anyone and everyone can help these important animals simply by making their yard landscaping more pollinator-friendly. By Alyssa B. Stewart
The Twists and Turns of Coalition Politics in Timor-Leste and Malaysia: Are We Moving to the Right Direction? Article On 24 February, Mahathir Mohamad, the 7th prime minister of Malaysia resigned unexpectedly followed by a week-long political fiasco in the form of ‘betrayal’ with lawmakers jumping ship to one another. On 25 February, the prime minister of Timor-Leste, Taur Matan Ruak sent a letter of resignation dated 24 February to the president, Francisco “Lu-Olo” Guterres By Khoo Ying Hooi
Why Go Nuclear, Philippines? Article “While nuclear power may not be an option under the Duterte administration, it is still a viable power source for the country’s baseload requirements moving forward,” Philippine Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said during the recent Alliance Global Group Sustainability Conference in the Philippines. The energy department head have yet again thrown his support in pushing for a nuclear program for the country. By Gerry Arances
COVID-19: Tips for a Saner Digital Diet in These Viral Times Article A virus riding on another virus. That is how the ‘infodemic’ is raging in online spaces around the outbreak of the novel coronavirus called COVID-19, which has been on just about everyone’s radar since late January 2020. As grave as the quest to manage the respiratory disease and cure those ill with it is not only the challenge of using facts versus fear - but how to create and keep avenues of information that withstand the unrelenting drip of skewed, confused, partially true to totally false information, to racist and prejudiced views, or a cocktail of these. By Johanna Son
Broader Legal Horizon for Kendeng Communities’ Campaigns for Environmental Rights Analysis This article offers the choices for local communities in the Kendeng Mountain range in Central Java Indonesia to expand their campaign to regain their environmental rights based on experiences from other communities in the world. By Yanuar Sumarlan
Native Honey Bees of Southeast Asia and Conservation Challenges Article The disappearance of the honey bee is widely publicized, especially in Europe and North America, with colony collapse disorder observed in apiaries of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera. Much less interest, however, has been paid to Southeast Asian native honey bees whose fate also deserves attention. This article explores the conservation challenges of the eight native honey bee species of Southeast Asia. By Eric Guerin
China, As Told by China: Beijing’s Influences Reach Thai Media and Beyond Article China is waging an unprecedented information campaign in Thailand through traditional and new media platforms, thanks to a sluice of partnerships with Thai media throughout 2019. Similar pattern is seen in the Southeast Asian region, where China is fast expanding its political, economic, and strategic stakes. By Teeranai Charuvastra