Guide to Criminal Defamation in Asia - Thomson Reuters Foundation

Home
About Us
About
We are the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters. We work to strengthen free, fair and informed societies through media, legal and data-driven services.
Our People
Partner With Us
Careers
Annual Reports & Accounts
Our Work
Our Work
We leverage our media, legal and data-driven expertise to support independent journalism, strengthen access to the law and promote responsible business.
Resilience of Independent MediaBolstering independent media that inform the public and uphold democracy.
Access to Law Enabling a fair legal system that is accessible to all.
Responsible BusinessSupporting businesses to thrive whilst doing no harm.
Our Approach
Our Services
Our Services
Through free legal assistance, data platforms, news, media development and events, our unique services foster free, fair and informed societies.
Media Development ServicesProviding capacity-building support to journalists and newsrooms.
TrustLawThe world’s largest pro bono legal network.
Legal Service for Independent MediaProviding free legal services to support independent media.
AI Company Data InitiativeBuilding a dataset to drive responsible corporate AI adoption.
Workforce Disclosure InitiativeProviding data on how companies manage workers in their operations and supply chains.
Context Our media platform, providing news and analysis to purpose driven professionals.
TrainingDiscover our range of training programmes and opportunities.
Trust ConferenceOur flagship forum dedicated to tackling critical and intersecting global issues from democracy to sustainable development.
Training & Resources
Training & Resources
Discover our range of training programmes and repository of resources.
Live training opportunitiesExplore our training programmes for professionals and civil society.
Bespoke training optionsDiscover the bespoke journalism, communications and media training programmes we can offer.
Resources & PublicationsOur library of reports and practical guides.
Featured
Journalism in the AI Era: A TRF Insights survey
Download the report
News & Events
News & Events
Discover highlights from across the Foundation’s focus areas, key announcements and our events.
Foundation News
Events
Newsletter sign up
Featured
4-5 November
Trust Conference
2026

Home
About Us

Back
About
We are the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters. We work to strengthen free, fair and informed societies through media, legal and data-driven services.
About Us Our People Partner With Us Careers Annual Reports & Accounts
Our Work

Back
Our Work
We leverage our media, legal and data-driven expertise to support independent journalism, strengthen access to the law and promote responsible business.
Our Work Resilience of Independent MediaBolstering independent media that inform the public and uphold democracy.Access to Law Enabling a fair legal system that is accessible to all.Responsible BusinessSupporting businesses to thrive whilst doing no harm.
Our Approach
Our Services

Back
Our Services
Through free legal assistance, data platforms, news, media development and events, our unique services foster free, fair and informed societies.
Our Services Media Development ServicesProviding capacity-building support to journalists and newsrooms.TrustLawThe world’s largest pro bono legal network.Legal Service for Independent MediaProviding free legal services to support independent media.AI Company Data InitiativeBuilding a dataset to drive responsible corporate AI adoption.Workforce Disclosure InitiativeProviding data on how companies manage workers in their operations and supply chains.Context Our media platform, providing news and analysis to purpose driven professionals.TrainingDiscover our range of training programmes and opportunities.Trust ConferenceOur flagship forum dedicated to tackling critical and intersecting global issues from democracy to sustainable development.
Training & Resources

Back
Training & Resources
Discover our range of training programmes and repository of resources.
Training & Resources Live training opportunitiesExplore our training programmes for professionals and civil society.Bespoke training optionsDiscover the bespoke journalism, communications and media training programmes we can offer.Resources & PublicationsOur library of reports and practical guides.Featured
Journalism in the AI Era: A TRF Insights survey
Download the report
News & Events

Back
News & Events
Discover highlights from across the Foundation’s focus areas, key announcements and our events.
News & Events Foundation News Events Newsletter sign up Featured 4-5 November
Trust Conference
2026

The Guide to Criminal Defamation in Southeast Asia provides comprehensive comparative research on existing criminal defamation legislation across seven Southeast Asian countries, namely- Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. This Guide is produced through the collaborative efforts of the Probe Media Foundation Inc., Thomson Reuters Foundation, and pro bono lawyers from SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, Aqran Vijandran, DFDL and others, with support from the British Embassy in Manila. It offers critical insights into how these laws are being exploited and provides guidance for journalists and media outlets navigating complex legal landscapes.

Download PDF

Download pdf: Download PDF

Tags

Civil society Journalism Press freedom

Related resources

For civil society organisationsFor lawyers

Rising Pressure, Rising Needs: A TRF Insights Survey

Our new report profiles the rapidly evolving legal needs…

For civil society organisationsFor journalists

Artificial Media, Real Rights: The Impact of Gen AI on Freedom of Expression in Eastern and Southern Africa

The increased use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools has introduced both…

For businessesFor civil society organisations

Navigating the Just Transition: Context, Conflicts and Company Practice

This report explores how…

For businessesFor civil society organisationsFor journalists

Illicit Financial Flows in Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania: Understanding the Law and Opportunities for Reform

This report examines the legal and institutional frameworks in Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania…

For civil society organisations

Barriers to Young People’s Access to Healthcare

The report surveys the legal barriers that adolescents…

For lawyers

Measuring Pro Bono Impact- Spanish

Bienvenidos a la “Guía para medir el impacto del trabajo pro bono”, presentada por…

For civil society organisationsFor lawyers

Legal analysis of laws, policies and government strategies relating to AI in Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia

This report analyses the legal and policy frameworks governing AI across seven countries to explore how these laws and…

For civil society organisations

Data frameworks for Responsible AI: legal perspectives from six jurisdictions

With AI…

For civil society organisationsFor journalists

Uelewa kuhusu sheria za vitendo vya kashfa Tanzania

Sheria za kashfa zikitumika kwa usahihi, zinatarajiwa…

For civil society organisationsFor journalists

Uelewa wa sheria kuhusu vyanzo vya uandishi wa habari nchini Tanzania

Mwongozo huu unalenga kuwapa…

Discover more

About us

Learn about our mission and what makes us different.

Our work

Find out how we’re working to support independent journalism, strengthen access to the law and promote responsible business.

Partner with us

Discover our latest partnership opportunities and how to get involved in our work.