| ID | 088010 |
| Title Proper | Malaysia-United States free trade agreement |
| Other Title Information | Malaysian media and domestic resistance |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Smeltzer, Sandra |
| Publication | 2009. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article examines Malaysia's civil society resistance to a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, focusing specifically on the role played by domestic mainstream and alternative media in raising awareness of trade negotiations. While challenges to a Malaysia-United States FTA may appear muted - especially if compared with the outpouring of dissent witnessed on the streets of Thailand and South Korea against similar deals with the United States - Malaysia's civil society agents have employed a range of mechanisms to oppose the agreement. Although these activists have focused their efforts on different sections of the proposed FTA - from intellectual property rights to food sovereignty to government procurement procedures - all share a common call for greater transparency in the negotiation process and greater public and parliamentary consultation. This article takes a critical look at who is involved in these resistance efforts, their key issues of concern, limitations to their success, and, most importantly, their relationship with and use of local media. |
| `In' analytical Note | Asia Pacific Viewpoint Vol. 50,No. 1; Apr 2009: p13-23 |
| Journal Source | Asia Pacific Viewpoint Vol. 50,No. 1; Apr 2009: p13-23 |
| Key Words | Alternative and Mainstream Media ; Free Trade Agreements ; Malaysia ; United States |