COMMENT | Why was Australian academic and journalist Murray Hunter, who writes tough articles on Malaysian affairs from Thailand, arrested there under Thai defamation laws, detained for 48 hours, and grounded until trial on Nov 17?

Whatever the reasons, it means a black eye for regional journalism through an apparent informal arrangement among the Asean 10 to act against citizens of other Asean countries who write honestly about their home country from within the host.

Usually, this takes the form of the person being sent back to their own country to face the wrath. That’s already ominous because Asean countries do not have robust laws of free expression. Reporting from another Asean country can land them in serious trouble.

In Hunter’s case, it goes even beyond that - he is an Australian citizen. There will be a serious pushback from Australia if...