Editorial: In this issue

Just as the American troops were building up their forces against Iraq in early 2003, a new and deadly virus was slowly beginning to make its rounds in Asia and beyond. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had some media coverage before the Iraq war. But this was soon overwhelmed by the news on the war. Reportage on the SARS virus only became prime news after the focus on the war had subsided. Since September 11, international news coverage in Asia has largely focused on the US war led on terrorism and Iraq. There were many voices of protests against the war. Some of it was shown over television. Others dominated websites and chatrooms. These show the power of the media and those who control it to set the agenda for world politics and democracy. This issue on New Media and Journalism in Asia: Freedom of Expression, Censorship and Ethic brings together research articles and commentaries on the implications of new technology and contemporary journalism on democracy.