Asia Sentinel is a web-based Asian regional publication focused on news, business, arts and culture. The site was launched in August 2006. "Asia Sentinel was created to provide a platform for news, analysis and opinion on national and regional issues in Asia. It is independent of all governments and major media enterprises. It is open to contributions not only from journalists but from professionals in fields such as finance, diplomacy, science and the arts. It has no ideology other than a belief in the benefits of a free media. It will not publish editorials but give free rein to diverse opinions," says the founders' statement on the site.