Explores issues of global relevance around journalism's relationship with political power using Southeast Asian states. Argues that development of free, independent, and plural media has been complicated by commercialisation, the Internet, and identity-based politics. These open up political space and pluralise discourse, but do not necessarily produce change.

1. Southeast Asia's contested media space; 2. Media and democratic transitions ; 3. Authoritarian resilience and media; 4. Big business and media; 5. Media and intolerance; 6. Digital media disruptions.