Across Southeast Asia, the free and independent press is under unprecedented attack from governments hostile to the thought of allowing their citizens to read the truth. "The press freedom situation is dire across Asia, with different factors motivating different types and degrees of crackdowns. There are few places, if any, in the region where it's safe to be a journalist these days,” said Shawn Crispin, Southeast Asia representative for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.