Journalists in Southeast Asia operate in some of the most legally complex environments in the world and face numerous barriers to maintaining a free and independent media landscape. The weaponization of existing criminal and civil laws against journalists and media outlets has become increasingly prevalent across the region, underscoring the need for accessible, reliable information about defamation laws. The Probe Media Foundation, Inc. (PMFI) set out to close that gap, and we're proud to share that our work has been recognized on an international stage.
PMFI's work has been nominated for the Collaboration by Pro Bono Award at the 2026 TrustLaw Awards by Thomson Reuters Foundation for our Guide to Criminal Defamation in Southeast Asia. Nominees were selected from hundreds of pro bono initiatives facilitated by TrustLaw each year. The Awards celebrate remarkable legal teams and impactful pro bono projects delivered by members of the TrustLaw Network in support of NGOs, independent media, and social enterprises worldwide. To be selected among three finalists is a meaningful recognition of the guide's impact and the collaborative effort behind it.
The Guide is a comprehensive overview of criminal defamation laws across seven countries — Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines — designed to help journalists, media practitioners, and media outlets navigate complex legal landscapes and protect their rights, especially while conducting critical reporting.
Producing the guide was a true partnership effort. Developed from September 2024 to May 2025, it was made possible through the pro bono contributions of legal teams from Aqran Vijandran, DFDL, and SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan, with the support of the British Embassy Manila and TrustLaw.
The British Embassy Manila hosted the guide's launch during their Media Freedom Reception in May 2025, followed by a "Deep-Dive" Forum for journalists, media practitioners, media development agencies, press freedom advocates, legal teams, and media educators in the Philippines. The guide has since been distributed to networks across Southeast Asia.
We are proud of what this collaboration has achieved, and deeply grateful to our partners for their commitment to advancing access to legal knowledge across Southeast Asia. If you work in media in the region, the guide is available for FREE on the resources section of our website.
For more information on the 2026 TrustLaw Awards, visit the TrustLaw Awards page.
