‘Magazine N’ aims to lead Asia’s change

Congratulatory Messages for Magazine N

As Magazine N, a monthly published in partnership with the Asia Journalist Association(AJA) and its online news portal The AsiaN has been launched, many people throughout Asia have sent in congratulatory messages. Magazine N‘s goal is to lead Asia’s change by inspiring leaders and empowering people.

With professional writers and veteran journalists from AJA’s 50 member nations, Magazine N provides news on Asia and in-depth analysis on international issues, economic trends, business activities and cultural phenomena from an Asian perspective. “Our main duty is to bring readers accurate and objective news from a balanced viewpoint,” said Lee Sang-ki, publisher of Magazine N. Below are some of the expectations Magazine N‘s prospective readers have expressed.

After The Asia N comes Magazine N

Ivan Lim / Singapore / President of the Asia Journalist Association

This bi-lingual publication is meant to complement our daily coverage of online news. We are seeing a mixed media culture evolved as news organisation gamely incorporated blogs, tweets and other social media postings into their news service. AJA, no less, has to respond creatively to unfolding facets of media. Like having inter-active features for our corespondents and readers.

After all, vision-wise, ‘N’ signifies the ‘Next’ or ‘New’ frontier in the media world. In practice, the ‘N’ in both our online and print media projects means “News’. That is we are in the business of producing and providing news. You can say, we are in it for professional reasons and as a source of funds.

In The Asia N online, news stories are produced by our correspondents while commentaries are offered up by columnists. Plus video features. Magazine N comes with a qualitative difference. It focus on news analysis. Specialist writers serve up in-depth pieces on current events and contemporary issues.

Another distinctive feature is the magazine format makes for better presentation of stories and photographers as well as illustrations. And more room for advertisements too. As newbies, we are not spared the stiff competition in the field from other publications. Hence, we must willy-nilly find our niche to make good. Where lies our advantage? I dare say, our strength going into the game is we can count on the diverse range and expertise of journalists well-versed in Asian affairs.

Magazine N makes its debut at a time when the East Asian region has emerged as a potential theatre of conflicts. The United States is redirecting its military priorities towards Asia in response to China’s ascendancy. China and Japan have also raised their stakes over rival ownership claims of Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. North Korea’s nuclear provocations keep tensions high in the Korean Peninsula.

We should do well to capitalise on the growing demand for informed analysis on how things would pan out. The inaugural issue of Magazine N promises to do this and more.

Abderrahim El Allam / Morocco / President of Moroccan Writers Union
I would like to express my deep congratulations to monthly Journal Magazine N, to which and to the supervisors of which we hope full success, withstanding and continuity, so that it can fully perform its functions and roles of communication and enlightenment, namely the perpetuation of principles of solidarity and harmony among peoples, as well as the dissemination of the values of peace, life and love in the world.

Aki Ra / Cambodia / Founder of Cambodian Self Help Demining, 2010 CNN Hero of the Year
Congratulations on the introduction of Magazine N. I am sure Magazine N will make a great success out of your efforts. Your support of our demining work in Cambodia is allowing us to make this country a better place for everyone. I hope we can tell some of our stories through Magazine N. Please take our deepest wishes for good luck and prosperous growth. Everyone at Cambodian Self Help Demining is looking forward to seeing the magazine.

Chen Ping / China / Deputy Managing Editor of Global Times
Congratulations on the upcoming publication of the Magazine N. And thank you for the great effort AJA has made so far to make the e-version a popular one. It will be a good source of information as well as inspiration for people like me who are so interested in the Korea issues.

Chhay Sophal / Cambodia / Editor-in-Chief of Cambodia News
Magazine N will be another powerful media tool outreach in the formation of both AJA activities and general issues to the outside world. Magazine N can be a boxing glove to punch those who rule the nations and societies in a dictatorship way.

Dolgor Chuluunbaatar / Mongolia / Ulaanbaatar Times Editor-in-Chief
It is my great pleasure to contribute a few words to this Magazine N and AJA. I have always been proud to be associated with AJA in our work to promote and defend press freedom, freedom of expression and media independence and to be able to share in this moment is a very special privilege. I have been arrested, prosecuted and detained for the last 15 months for doing my job. I hope to continue our work with AJA so that journalists are not be prosecuted for doing their jobs.
I hope to be able to contribute in some measure to what I believe will be an important project and I am delighted to congratulation the entire staff of Magazine N and AJA on the launch of Magazine N.

Izzeldin Abuelaish / Palestine / Medical doctor
I appreciate Magazine N’s efforts to spread the message of “I Shall Not Hate” and be part of it. This is the way we can make a difference and inspire people to take responsibility. When we all come together, and each to do his or her part, the world can be the one we want.

Uwalaka Temple /  Nigeria /  The AsiaN Intern Reporter, MBA at SolBridge International School of Business
In an age when it is very difficult to get English Magazine; when people profess globalization but persistently act otherwise; an era when when the tide of indiscipline cum lack of passion is sweeping out all journalistic value, where yellow nay sensationalism and laziness bestrides journalism, it is therefore consoling to have this Magazine that not only preaches globalism but also founded in the spirit of journalism. It is a plus for journalism in South Korea, Asia an the World. Hurrah Magazine!

Meidyana Rayana / Indonesia / The AsiaN intern reporter, Graduate Student of Political Science and Economics at Korea University
I am so glad that now I can follow the news updates online and offline. I wish for The AsiaN and Magazine N’s success of being a vocal voice and representative of Asia’s perspective to the international world.

Rasha Abdellah / UAE / Assistant professor at Ajman University
Congratulations on AJA to launch a monthly magazine(Magazine N). I was one of the lucky people who got a chance to participate and share in AJA forums and had the honour to write in The AsiaN online news. Magazine N reflects the wonderful achievements and evidence of how professional and hardworking they are. Congratulations to every member in AJA and everyone who will be lucky to read this amazing and interesting Magazine N.

Robert Leger / USA / President of Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of SPJ, Former President of Society of Professional Journalists(SPJ)
The AsiaN internet news portal has been an excellent example. I look forward to my weekly edition for its features about interesting people, from the Korean Peninsula to the Arab world, working for peace and greater understanding among peoples.
Magazine N is well poised to extend AJA’s reach. An impressive list of contributing writers will help illuminate Asian affairs in ways no one else is doing. It is a bold venture, as bold as the idea that war can be transformed into peace. This is journalism with a purpose.
Congratulations, and the best of luck for a long, prosperous and impactful run.

Rüdiger Claus / Germany / Director of IIJB(International Institute of Journalism Berlin)
I hope Magazine N contributes to the improvement of mutual understanding and solidarity between the journalists from AJA’s 50 member countries as The AsiaN does since its start almost 2 years ago. I will welcome the new baby and help to nurse it if necessary.

Shafiqul Bashar / Bangladesh / President of AJA Bangladesh Chapter
The AsiaN has contributed substantially to gain such popularity for AJA in a short period. Now the publication of a monthly magazine would help to boost our activities and further uphold our motto: “One line of truth through sweat and blood.”
I, on behalf of all the members of AJA Bangladesh Chapter, congratulate the AJA secretariat for launching the Magazine N and wish its success.

Victor R Savage / Singapore / Director, Office of Alumni Relations, National University of Singapore
Magazine N will provide readers in Asia a better coverage of activities and events as well as articles on pertinent Asian challenges. The AJA continues to develop with new activities and this is healthy for the organization. Magazine N will transcend the language boundaries and find common ground for cooperation and meaningful dialogue amongst its Asian members and beyond.

Vishnu Prakash / India / Indian Ambassador to Korea
I am delighted that The AsiaN has begun publishing Magazine N which aims to serve as Asia’s window to the world, powered by an impressive team of analysts from across Asia & beyond. I wish it every success!