Asia Centre Hosts Regional Meeting on Digital Rights
CSOs across Asia discussed ideas on how to unite as a collective force to advocate for digital rights, enhance their influence and forge a unified front to respond to legal and technological challenges that impact their work. Convened by Asia Centre with the support of Google, the Regional Meeting on Digital Rights was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 22 to 23 February 2024, the meeting brought together 25 participants and included representatives from Article 19, Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM), Campaign, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Digital Rights Nepal., DAKILA and Active Vista Center, Hashtag Generation, Indika Foundation, International IDEA, JANIC, Kalyanamitra, The Online Citizen, Open Development Mekong, SAFEnet and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. In his opening remarks, Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre, said the CSOs present had a unique opportunity to pool their resources and expertise to achieve economies of scale. In particular, he suggested a CSO-to-CSO model of cooperation that could extend the reach of their work while leveraging on their limited resources. On the first day, there were 2 panel discussions and a workshop on online regulations in the Asia-Pacific. The first session, titled “What are CSOs? Do They Need Assistance?”, provided a platform for participants to share their perceptions of CSOs and exchange ideas on economic models that could work to keep their organisations running. It was agreed that CSOs require financial support and access to policymakers and technology companies, while also possessing proficiency and experience in advocating for digital rights. During the second session, “Spotlight: 2024 Indonesian General Election,” participants from Indonesia shared insights from the recent general election, highlighting the pervasive use of digital AI tools by presidential candidates to sway voters. The discussion underscored the need for regulations as well as media literacy to address the proliferation of AI-generated content, including deep fake videos, chatbots, and images, in political campaigns. The pivotal role of platforms and engagement with them was also emphasised. The first day concluded with a presentation of Asia Centre’s latest report, “Online Content Regulations in the Asia-Pacific,” by Dr. Marc Piñol Rovira, Research Manager of Asia Centre. The report examined laws enacted by governments in the region to regulate online content, highlighting their impact on civil society’s ability to hold governments accountable. Subsequent group discussions allowed participants to share country-specific insights and experiences. The second day built on the first day with a session on “Strategies to Address Online Content Regulation.,” During the session, participants deliberated on the legitimacy of restrictive regulations and how negative dimensions of the internet can be mitigated without compromising freedom of expression. Panelists shared success stories of constructive engagement with stakeholders and the implementation of sustainable actions to tackle online challenges. In the closing segment of the second day, participants showcased their organisations’ activities related to digital rights, identifying areas for CSO-to-CSO collaboration and resource exchange. Asia Centre extended invitations for participants to speak at future sessions of the Digital Rights Programme for CSOs announced an upcoming digital security training initiative aimed at individuals at risk, including HRDs, their families, and politicians. The upcoming online sessions of the Digital Rights Programme for CSOs in 2024 will cover topics on Fact-Checking, Media Information Literacy, Surveillance & Privacy, Foreign-Interference and Artificial-Intelligence. In his closing remarks, Dr.Gomez recognised the support from Google and reiterated that a robust network and concerted efforts among CSOs in the region would enhance their capacity and promote digital rights effectively. Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you would like to collaborate with the Centre, please send an expression of interest to contact@asiacentre.org. Follow Asia Centre’s social media channels for more information.
Oxfam Young Leaders Complete Inaugural Fellowship
On 18 February 2024, Asia Centre organised the Project Conclusion Meeting for 8 Oxfam Fellows at the sidelines of the World Social Forum 2024 in Kathmandu, Nepal, held from 15 to 19 February 2024. The meeting, held at the Yellow Pagoda Hotel, was part of the Oxfam Young Leaders Fellowship Programme 2023 which began in June of that year. The Project Conclusion Meeting began with welcoming remarks from John Samuel, Regional Director of Oxfam in Asia who outlined the social challenges awaiting young people. He stressed to the Fellows that even though their projects are concluding, their fight for justice is a lifelong process. The Fellows must remain persistent in creating the world that they wish to see. Thereafter, Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre, presented some key statistics and milestones of the Fellowship over 9 months. The Fellowship received 471 eligible applications across Asia, and after several rounds of selection, 8 Fellows from 6 countries were announced. As a cohort, they delivered 9 videos, 3 publications 6 podcast episodes 8 town halls. They were able to reach a total of 24 milestones, 100 deliverables and more than 2,525 beneficiaries. Following the presentation was the public exhibition. The Fellows had the opportunity to showcase their projects and success stories, using promotional materials such as posters, banners, stickers and videos. The projects that were exhibited are as follows: Atypical Dikkatein by Soumya Mishra, Climate Actioneers by Lamia Mohsin, Gen-Z Talk Timor-Leste by Ricardo Araujo, Inclusive Lens by Wajid Zahid, Keep the Change by Gerald Guillermo, LawHum by Chikita Marpaung, Project Habi Pilipinas by Ellenor Bartolome and Writing on Rights by Sanjana Chettri. The exhibition visitors were participants from the World Social Forum and included visitors from Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and Africa. There was a closed-door Roundtable Feedback Discussion following the exhibition, where the Fellows shared their self-evaluation of project objectives, implementation challenges, and learnings. There was also discussion on how to strengthen the recruitment of future Fellows, including a focus on those who are not working full-time, from non-privileged backgrounds, and ensuring gender balance. Future engagements to maintain connections after the Fellowship Programme, included setting up an alumni network, mentoring the next cohort of Oxfam Fellows and continued submissions to civicasia.org portal. While the project conclusion meeting was the main focus, the Fellows also actively participated in the activities of the World Social Forum. On the first day of the Forum, the Fellows participated in the Solidarity March around Kathmandu to show solidarity with those oppressed by CSOs. On the second day, the Fellows joined the “Thematic Assembly on Economic Inequality & Justice.” On the third day, the Fellows spoke at the Inter-Continental Youth Forum. On the fourth day of the Forum, Asia Centre held the Project Induction Meeting for the Oxfam Fellows at Yellow Pagoda Hotel in Kathmandu. On the fifth and final day, the Fellows drafted the Civil Society Statement for a just and equitable world and invited participants to sign on the banner during the closing ceremony. With the conclusion of the inaugural batch of the Oxfam Young Leaders, Asia Centre will announce in April 2024 applications for the second cohort of Oxfam Young Leaders Fellowship Programme. Keep a lookout on Asia Centre’s social media pages and website. To watch the highlights of the Fellows’ participation in the Project Conclusion Meeting and the World Social Forum, click: https://bit.ly/3OQHI3x Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you are interested in a partnership with Asia Centre to research China’s influence in the region, send an email to info@asiacentre.org. Follow Asia Centre’s social media channels for more information.
Asia Centre hosts inaugural discussion on China’s global influence
To inform Asia Centre’s research on democracy and human rights, the Centre hosted its inaugural roundtable discussion on “China’s Global Influence: Perspective from the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific” on 1 February 2024. As an inaugural meeting, the aim was to examine and discuss the different perspectives on China’s influence in the regions. The meeting examined the potential opportunities and conflicts associated with China’s growing economic and political influence, particularly in Southeast Asia and Europe. The event was held in collaboration with Sinopsis, a project implemented by the non-profit association AcaMedia, in scholarly collaboration with the Department of Sinology at Charles University in Prague. The roundtable convened 18 participants from the Asia Centre, Sinopsis, diplomatic missions, independent media, CSOs focusing on China, and academics at the Asia Centre’s Meeting Hub in Bangkok. The event began with the opening remarks given, first, by Dr James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre. He outlined how China’s global influence is relevant to Asia Centre’s broad suite of research on democracy and human rights, as well as ongoing concerns around shrinking civic spaces across countries. Then, Dr Martin Hála, Founder and Director of Sinopsis, underscored how China’s rapid economic development and influence across different regions worldwide significantly impact national policies and narratives. The first panel, titled “China’s Impact in the Euro-Atlantic with Special Emphasis on Europe,” was presented by Sinopsis. First, Kateřina Procházková, Researcher and Outreach Coordinator at Sinopsis, introduced the organisation, a research project focused on scrutinising China’s global influence. She highlighted the group’s dedication to exploring the multifaceted impacts of China’s policies. Comprised of a group of sinologists, Sinopsis has published over 1,700 articles on the subject. Dr Martin Hála, Director and Founder of Asia Centre, followed by emphasising that due to the historical homogeneity of Eastern Europe and the Czech Republic, there exists varying narratives and expectations of China in the region. As China’s influence grew, Eastern EU policy shifted direction to a focus on managing the presence of China in the region, which was accompanied by unrealistic efforts and expectations. He also elaborated on Sinopsis’ organisational objective to rectify some of the narratives in the region stemming from a lack of information and understanding. Bao Do, Researcher and Analyst at Sinopsis, expanded on the previous points by outlining the overall lack of understanding of Chinese policies and developments, and Sinology’s role in examining the consequences and international perspectives that stem from these developments. He also stressed the importance of the sensitivities and mindfulness required when engaging with Chinese government officials, organisational representatives, and members of the Chinese public. The second panel titled “China’s Influence in Indo-Pacific with Special Emphasis on Southeast Asia’s Media Landscape” was presented by the Asia Centre research team. Each panellist analysed China’s influence through the media sector in one specific country in the region. Dr Marc Piñol Rovira, Research Manager at the Asia Centre, provided an analysis of Cambodia. The country has historically had strong political connections with Beijing. These connections remain robust, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet. In a strategic move to enhance its geopolitical influence in the region, China has been actively leveraging the media sector to shape a favourable public opinion. Dr Pinol Rovira explained that China employs various strategies to strengthen its grip on the media landscape in Cambodia, such as forging partnerships with local media outlets, increasing the presence of Chinese media entities within the country, providing assistance for the development of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, and sponsoring media training programs for journalists. Yawee Butrkrawee, Senior Researcher at Asia Centre, followed by detailing the situation in Thailand. China utilises some key legal provisions like the Thailand Constitution and the Broadcasting and Television Business Act 2008 to increase its influence in Thailand’s media, as seen when Thai nationals are prohibited from owning media outlets, Chinese organisations register subsidiaries in Thailand and get Thai nationals to become registered subsidiaries. He then outlined other strategies that China utilises to influence the media sector, such as the signing of corporation MOUs between government departments and Chinese media groups. Then, Kyi Thar Phone Myint, Researcher at Asia Centre, delved into Myanmar’s case to demonstrate China’s influence in the region. China’s influence in Myanmar is observed primarily through investment and influence in the expansion of information technology, software, and media in Myanmar. This includes strategies utilised by China, such as identifying and leveraging market availability throughout the growth of technology and media in Myanmar. Post the 2021 Myanmar coup, there have been complex media relations between China and the Myanmar Junta, with China reportedly siding with the Myanmar Junta in the Myanmar civil war. He finally spoke about the powerful influence of the Chinese-owned company Tiktok, and its use of young people and women in influencing media in Myanmar. Finally, Ekmongkhon Puridej, Researcher at Asia Centre, presented an overview of the media landscape in Singapore. Notably, Singapore has a distinctive position within Southeast Asia, as it stands out as one of the few countries with an overall positive perception of China. Emphasising the significance of comprehending these dynamics, he delved into the complexities of Chinese influence in Singapore, such as China’s involvement in developing and forming Singapore and its geo-political moves to counter the dominant US influence. Furthermore, he offered a specific example of Chinese leverage within the media landscape, where Chinese newspapers published in Singapore are bound by Chinese laws, raising potential concerns about censorship and the promotion of biased narratives. After the conclusion of the two panels, participants actively engaged in an open discussion, focusing on the overarching theme of the limited research and understanding concerning the growing Chinese influence in the Southeast Asia region, with Laos serving as a notable example. Additionally, a networking session provided participants with an opportunity to connect after the event. The insights on China’s global influence gleaned from this inaugural roundtable discussion will inform Asia Centre’s research on democracy and human rights moving forward. A key takeaway is how Chinese influence impacts the political
Asia Centre Internship Programme Draws Interest at University of Reading Malaysia
On 24 January 2024, Asia Centre manned a booth at the University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) Career Fair 2024. The fair, which featured more than 40 companies and organisations across Malaysia, consisted of booths and career talks by experts to help students make informed decisions for their future career paths. Asia Centre was invited by UoRM Head of School of Law, Associate Professor Anne Vergis to the Career Fair to introduce the Centre’s human rights work, including legal research and advocacy for law reforms. About 20 students dropped by the booth during the course of the day. At the booth, students took in information through the videos and posters at the booth to gain insights about the internship programme. Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr James Gomez, and Programme Coordinator, Lina Sakina Salim, were also at hand to explain how an internship at the Centre can benefit law students interested in the practical aspects of International and Public Law. UoRM Provost and Chief Executive Officer Professor Wing Lam also visited the booth to chat and learn about the Centre’s work in Malaysia and the region. In addition to manning the booth, both Dr Gomez and Lina Salim also delivered a career talk on the topic “Working for the Non-Profit Sector – The Culture of Giving”. The talk emphasised that human rights work, just like pro bono law, is not motivated by monetisation and personal gain, rather it’s driven altruistic giving, creating social impact and serving others. The career talk piqued the interest of several law students, who then came up to discuss their interest in applying for the internship programme and visiting Asia Centre office, at the ION Complex in Medini, Iskandar Puteri. Asia Centre is scheduled to open its Media Hub in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, in April 2024. The Media Hub will focus on transforming its human right research into bite size digital content for public advocacy. This includes creating designs, infographics, podcasts and videos and organising media-related activities with partners in Educity and beyond. A key attraction will be the Centre’s close proximity to Reading University. The Centre offers three internship streams: 1. Research, 2. Communications, and 3. Programmes at any of its offices across three locations: Bangkok, Johor Bahru and Phnom Penh. To learn more about the internship programme, please visit the page here. Professor Andrew Harding, a Professor of Law with UoRM, and Member of the Asia Centre Advisory Board has endorsed the internship programme through a widely viewed video message. Asia Centre had previously partnered with UoRM School of Law to deliver media literacy training through its ASEAN Digital Literacy Programme (ADLP) Malaysia in 2022. It delivered on-site training to 25 UoRM academic and non-academic staff. Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you would like to collaborate with the Centre, please send an expression of interest to contact@asiacentre.org. Follow Asia Centre’s social media channels for more information.
Asia Centre Launches Report on Online Content Regulations in the Asia-Pacific
On 18 January 2024, Asia Centre held a virtual launch and discussion of its latest report, “Online Content Regulation in the Asia Pacific: Limiting Civil Society Capacity to Hold Government Accountable.” The report launch is part of the Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisation, jointly organised by Asia Centre and Google Asia Pacific. The event drew over 50 participants, including members of academic institutions, representatives from civil society, lawyers and journalists. In his welcome remarks, Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre, highlighted that digital platforms not only change users’ behaviours but also the way in which CSOs operate, their point of view and interests. This includes how CSOs use digital space to hold governments accountable. Also delivering the welcome remarks was Chenie Yoon, Lead APAC Content Regulation, Google Asia Pacific, who highlighted that the primary role of digital platforms is to create a strong tool for civil society to communicate public opinion to the government. To that end, she said Google Asia Pacific, is pleased to support the advocacy work of CSOs through programmes such as that run by Asia Centre. Kartini Sunityo, Programme Manager at Asia Centre, provided an overview of the Digital Rights Programme. She emphasised that the initiative focuses on creating a community for Civil Society Organization (CSO) members and offering them a learning platform to address issues related to Digital Rights in the region. The programme, as she outlined, includes a series of monthly online and onsite meetings throughout the year, featuring information-sharing, capacity-building, networking, and strategizing sessions. Dr. Marc Piñol Rovira, Research Manager at Asia Centre, presented the findings of the report. He commenced by providing background information, noting that governments have adopted digital technology in governance but also enacted laws in areas where Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) might hold them accountable. He outlined the digital landscape and the shift towards user-generated content in Asia and how CSOs also utilised the digital sphere to advocate for public accountability. Dr. Piñol Rovira outlined the categories of online content regulations in the Asia-Pacific that constrain CSOs’ work. These include Penal Codes and National Security Laws, Electronic and Computer Usage Laws, Fake News Laws, Laws on Service and Platform Providers, and Internet Infrastructure Laws. He said, these regulations impact civil society actors in various ways, such as criminalising criticism of policies, requesting compliance from ISPs and Tech Companies, internet shutdowns and gateways, cyber-trolling, and online hate sites. Such impacts have forced CSOs to resort to self-inhibiting behaviours. Towards the end of the presentation, Dr. Piñol Rovira provided recommendations to different stakeholders, including the international community, governments, ISPs and tech companies, and civil society. Following the report presentation was a discussion around various international perspectives on the intersection of technology, government tactics, freedom of expression, and the role of tech companies in maintaining a free and safe digital sphere. In Vietnam, the tactics used by the government includes mass reporting, fake profiling, and spamming. In that regard, the need for technology companies to increase their social responsibility was highlighted. Another discussant shared the case of the social commentary Malaysian film “Mentega Terbang,” whose producer is currently being charged for producing content deemed controversial and religiously insensitive by the government. Through this example, the importance of online space for social change was emphasised. Taking New Zealand as an example, another discussion revolved around efforts to limit fake news on online platforms to stimulate public discussion – in this regard, the need for balancing freedom of expression with legal guidance was given importance. Discussants also brought into question the sincerity of tech companies’ attempts to facilitate a free and safe digital sphere for CSOs. Concern stems from tech companies’ business models which are based on exploiting user data; at the same time, there are instances of tech companies acquiescing to different government demands at the expense of rights for the sake of market expansion. The event ended with thank-you remarks from Dr Gomez. He then invited participants to join the next online meeting for the Google Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations. The meeting titled “Fact-Checking: Is It Working?” is scheduled to take place on 21 March 2024. Read and download the full report here. For more information about the 21 March 2024 online meeting and how to join, click here. Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you would like to collaborate with the Centre, please send an expression of interest to contact@asiacentre.org. Follow Asia Centre’s social media channels for more information.
Cross-sector partnership required to advocate for internet freedoms in Thailand
On 12 January 2024, Asia Centre organised a roundtable discussion titled “Safe Internet Usage in Thailand,” which brought together representatives from political parties, government agencies, civil society organisations, and the media. The objective of the roundtable was to lay the groundwork for advocacy initiatives focused on digital rights and promoting safe internet usage in 2024 in Thailand. Yawee Butrkrawee, Senior Researcher at Asia Centre, opened the roundtable discussion by presenting the key findings and policy recommendations from Asia Centre’s policy brief Restrictions on Internet Freedoms: Recommendations for Thai Policy-makers and Civil Society. The report analyses the ramifications of both legal and non-legal measures implemented by the Thai government, which have impacted internet freedoms in the country and furnishes a comprehensive set of recommendations tailored for a diverse range of stakeholders, aimed at enhancing internet freedoms across Thailand. Including drawing inputs from the latest analysis from in the media and independent reports, this policy brief also drew from Asia Centre’s three baseline studies on Thailand: State-sponsored Online Disinformation: Impact on Electoral Integrity in Thailand (2023); Internet Freedoms in Thailand (2022); and Thailand Computer Crime Act: Restricting Digital Rights, Silencing Online Critics (2022). After Mr Butrkrawee presented policy recommendations, three speakers contributed insights to the findings, laying the groundwork for the roundtable discussion. Prof Ekachai Chainuvati, Deputy Dean of the Law Faculty at Siam University in Bangkok, commented on the impact of both legal and non-legal measures on internet freedoms in Thailand. He emphasised that while there is consensus within civil society about the necessity to amend problematic provisions, leaders lack the political will to do so. Addressing this challenge requires not only sustained advocacy but also cross-sectoral engagement between policymakers and civil society actors. Ruchapong Chamjirachaikul, representing iLaw, provided context to the discussion on digital rights and internet usage in Thailand within the broader framework of constitutional drafting initiated in late 2023. He argued that rights related to internet use should be constitutionally safeguarded on par with other fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression. This recognition is crucial to emphasise the significance of the online sphere as a platform for public discourse and mobilisation. Sorawut Wongsaranon, a journalist from Prachatai, an independent media outlet in Thailand, underscored the essential link between digital rights, media freedoms, and the overall functionality of the media sector in Thailand. Expanding on the report’s findings, he pinpointed additional areas where the application of both legal and non-legal measures disproportionately affected journalists. Wongsaranon emphasised that the use of laws to remove or restrict access to information creates an imbalance between authorities and journalists, undermining the credibility of the latter’s content and restricting the media’s role as a watchdog. After the three interventions by the three speakers, the floor was opened for discussion. Conversations revolved around recognising the imperative for collaboration between civil society and various state bodies, focusing on issues such as freedom of expression, the right to privacy, and digital literacy. Participants also delved into the influence of internet service providers and social media platforms on online content, urging these entities to take proactive measures to ensure the digital space continues to function as a marketplace of ideas. This roundtable discussion served as a complement to the earlier bilateral engagements conducted by Asia Centre with public institutions in December 2023. During these engagements, representatives of the Centre delved into the implications of legal and non-legal measures, as outlined in the report, on internet freedoms in Thailand. The discussions included interactions with King Prajadhipok’s Institute, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT), and the Digital Economic Promotion Agency (DEPA). Key focal points of these discussions encompassed matters such as public trust in state institutions, policymaking priorities related to internet freedoms, and the promotion of digital literacy. These engagements have fortified Asia Centre’s collaborations with diverse government and non-governmental institutions and organisations, enabling the Centre to broaden its scope of policy research, capacity-building initiatives, and advocacy efforts concerning internet freedoms in both Thailand and Southeast Asia. Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you would like to collaborate with the Centre, please send an expression of interest to contact@asiacentre.org. Follow Asia Centre’s social media channels for more information.
Asia Centre Concludes Media Assessment Research in Cambodia
Asia Centre concluded its media assessment research by presenting the findings of its assessment of Cambodia’s media landscape to a multi-stakeholder advisory board during a validation meeting held on 18 December 2023 in Phnom Penh. A group of Cambodian stakeholders, inclusive of representatives from the government sector, media industry, and civil society, labelled the report as a “landmark report” given the depth of its analysis and overall significance since reports on this topic are scarce in the country. This gathering served as the culmination of Asia Centre’s comprehensive year-long assessment of Cambodia’s media landscape. Formally initiated in February 2023, the research, based on UNESCO’s Media Development Indicators (MDI), encompassed desk research, surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions involving diverse stakeholders within Cambodia’s media landscape. Throughout the assessment process, Asia Centre actively engaged with over 70 individuals to compile a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The report consists of 50 indicators and hundreds of sub-indicators arranged into five categories that take into account all aspects of the media development landscape. The five categories are system of media-related regulation plurality and diversity of the media sector; role of media as a platform for democratic discourse; professional capacity building and supporting institutions for media professionals; and ICT infrastructural capacities. The MDIs were developed by UNESCO to provide a framework to evaluate the role media contributes in good governance and the democratic development of a country. The research was implemented with the support of the Department of Media and Communication of the Royal University of Phnom Penh (DMC), UNESCO Office in Phnom Penh and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Dr James Gomez, Regional Director, provided a comprehensive overview of the findings related to the first two categories. His emphasis was on the legal provisions governing the media landscape in Cambodia, revealing a tendency to impose restrictions on freedom of expression. Additionally, he underscored the imperative to enhance media plurality in the country, given the prevalent high concentration of media and the insufficient development of community media. Following this, Dr Marc Piñol Rovira, Research Manager, delved into the findings concerning the remaining three categories. His focus centred on three pivotal points. Firstly, he highlighted the inadequately developed inclusivity mechanisms, crucial for ensuring media plurality. Secondly, he shed light on the adverse impact of limited opportunities for professional media training and development, resulting in a negative effect on the quality of journalism. Lastly, Dr Piñol Rovira pointed out that the infrastructural ICT capacity in Cambodia still lags behind other countries in the region. This validation workshop with the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Board marked the culmination of two prior engagements. On 3 February 2023, Asia Centre initiated the project by unveiling its research focus and methodology. During this launch, the Centre actively sought support from diverse sectors within the media landscape to ensure a collaborative and comprehensive research process. Subsequently, on 27 October 2023, the Asia Centre convened the second meeting, during which it presented the preliminary findings of its study, further fostering dialogue and engagement with stakeholders involved in the project. The establishment of a Multi-stakeholder Advisory Board highlights the commitment to encompassing crucial information and perspectives from all relevant stakeholders in the country within the research framework. This intentional approach is geared towards fostering a comprehensive and well-informed analysis, which, in turn, serves as the bedrock for the formulation of well-informed policy recommendations. The Asia Centre is currently in the process of taking onboard all comments to the assessment report with the intention of finalising it in February 2024. Subsequently, a communications plan will be implemented, encompassing the development of digital content and op-eds. This strategic approach aims to amplify the recommendations and ensure a road map for their effective adoption and implementation. Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you would like to collaborate with the Centre, please send an expression of interest to contact@asiacentre.org. Follow Asia Centre’s social media channels for more information.
Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations Kicks Off
More than 30 representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs) and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) attended the Kick-off Information Session of the Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations. Held online on 19 December 2023, participants represented 18 CSOs and 9 INGOs. Co-convened by Asia Centre and Google, the programme aims, over a 12 month period, to strengthen the capacity of CSO to respond to legislation that impacts digital rights in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2015, the region has been experiencing a rise in regulatory frameworks across national jurisdictions that restrict freedom of expression and impede freedom of assembly. This has led to the erosion of civic spaces and democracy within which CSOs operate. The session started with a poll: What topic do you find most important to the work of your organisation? The four options were: Mis/Disinformation, Laws and Regulations, Digital Security, and Artificial Intelligence. Among the 24 people who took part, Laws and Regulation received 9 votes, Mis/Disinformation received 6 votes, Digital Security received 5 votes and AI received 4 votes. Miriam Estrin, Google’s Global Lead on Content Regulation, welcomed the participants. She spoke of how, in a fast-evolving environment where digitalisation has become a significant facet of our lives, and that Google is pleased to support the activism work of CSOs through programmes such as these with Asia Centre. Participants then introduced themselves, sharing their challenges and expectations for the programme. Their expectations ranged from wanting greater networking opportunities and learning how to mitigate digital security issues, to combatting disinformation online and offline, to knowing how to obtain the resources required to carry out their activities and programmes. Dr James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre, then gave an overview of the programme. He outlined the key challenges arising from increased digitalisation – fake news, curbed electoral integrity, fears of foreign interference, and perceived threats to social harmony, cultural values and national security. He pointed out that governments by enacting new laws or expanding the reach of existing ones, however, infringed on the rights of activists, CSOs and netizens across the region. He said urgent action is required to ensure that internet laws are used to promote online safety. Hence, Dr. Gomez explained that the Asia Centre-Google programme have the following objectives: Identify regulatory frameworks and their impacts on civil society and human rights work. Collect and share knowledge of lived experiences of CSO activists, in order to create new strategies to respond to digital threats. Work with technology companies, INGOs and their local CSO partners to formulate actionable policy recommendations and to build capacity for CSOs to address the most urgent issues. In terms of a breakdown, he explained further that the Digital Rights Programme for Civil Society Organisations is a year-long programme consisting of: 8 online topical meetings. a face-to-face regional meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand. a half-day country meeting each in Taipei, Taiwan, and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. an end-of-programme meeting in Johor Bahru, Malaysia to plan and reflect on the next stage. The kick-off session ended with an announcement of the next session, to be held on 18 January 2024, 5 PM – 6:30 PM (Bangkok Time, GM+7), when Asia Centre will launch its report: “Online Content Regulations in the Asia-Pacific”. This will be followed by a discussion with experts about the scope of the regulations in the region and their impact on CSOs. Please see here for more information regarding the online session. To register for the session, click here. Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you would like to collaborate with the Centre, please send an expression of interest to contact@asiacentre.org.
Restrictive Laws Spur Self-censorship and Euphemisms in Journalism
Highly restrictive laws have spurred self-censorship and the use of euphemisms in journalism. Meanwhile, business sustainability issues have forced media organisations to engage in advertorial and service-based revenue generation. Transformative changes and the ability to address these challenges, however, need to occur with multiple stakeholders, including the media and journalists. These and other challenges for news outlets and journalists in the Asian region were brought up by many participants at the “Asia Media Forum: Let’s Talk Equality” event held in Bangkok, Thailand on 11-12 December 2023. The event was co-convened by Asia Centre and Oxfam in Asia and was attended by over 35 journalists, editors and communications specialists from Oxfam, national and regional media and publications. They came from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. All of these media practitioners write on issues of human rights, equality and/or climate change. The event’s welcome address was given by John Samuel, Oxfam in Asia Regional Director. Following this, Mustafa Talpur, Asia Regional Head of Advocacy & Campaigns presented an overview of Oxfam’s work. Thereafter, Dr James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre, gave a presentation on the state of media freedom in the region. Over the course of two days, the Forum highlighted challenges arising from shrinking space for media freedom, often impacted by governmental actions. One main issue was the increasing difficulty for news organisations to find loyal audiences and subscribers. Participants shared that the general public was not consuming news as much as before because of the unpleasantness of many current affairs issues such as wars, conflict and crime. This has been exacerbated by the unpleasantness of much of the news being broadcast or reported, and repeated frequently throughout news cycles. Participants also noted that the general public’s trust in the media has decreased because of the proliferation of fake news, misinformation, and strong biases from some mainstream media, fringe websites and other content creators. Instead, audiences were moving towards entertainment and the types of “news” that lull readers or viewers into apathy and complacency regarding human rights issues and politics – a consensus shared by the diverse group of participants. Further, when reporting on political news, journalists and news organisations run a high risk of being prosecuted through repressive laws in the longer term. The developments arising from a closing media space have led to widespread self-censorship among journalists and media organisations. Others rely on a heavy usage of euphemisms and indirect references in reporting as observed and even used by many of the participants attending the Forum. Participants shared that the media companies they work for struggle to attract advertisements which have largely gone to online platforms. At the same time, media companies’ quest for subscribers has increasingly become an uphill challenge. As a result, advertorials are thus heavily adopted as the dominant business model. Some media organisations also now offer editorial services, training and other public relations services. Journalists at the Forum said these developments impact journalistic integrity and remove certain issues such as climate change from editorial priority. Thus, there is scant attention being paid to it by most major news outlets, with few exceptions such as in Timor-Leste. The Forum participants lamented that this has led to climate issues being generally “unpopular” until massive environmental and climate disasters strike. At the end of the two-day event, the participants agreed they had discussed the current issues affecting the media industry. They agreed to stay connected to formulate strategies for credible storytelling and ethical news reporting. The Asia Media Forum is an event organised by Asia Centre in partnership with Oxfam in Asia . This media partnership started in 2019 with the Thailand launch of the Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award in Bangkok in November 2019. To learn more read the Award click here. For articles that covered the Award in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, see here for 2019-2020, here for the 2020-2021 Award, and for the 2021-2022 Award here and here. Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you would like to collaborate with the Centre, please send an expression of interest to contact@asiacentre.org.
Navigating the Digital Space: Challenges and Strategies in Contemporary Activism
In the heyday of digital activism, the online realm held promise as a dynamic battleground for social change. The openness and lack of border restrictions seemed to provide fertile ground for activists to orchestrate campaigns, as seen in the transformative movements like the Arab Spring and Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement. However, the optimism surrounding the efficacy of online activism has proven short-lived, especially in the face of increasing restrictions imposed by authoritarian regimes across Asia. Examples abound of repressive tactics, from judicial harassment to internet shutdowns, online censorship, information warfare, and digital surveillance. These measures have significantly curtailed the effectiveness of digital activism compared to its initial potential. To address these challenges head-on, Asia Centre and Oxfam in Asia jointly organised the Digital Activism Workshop in Bangkok from 13 -15 December. The workshop aimed to establish a collaborative space for knowledge sharing and collective reflection on leveraging digital spaces for social mobilisation. Thirty activists from South and Southeast Asia participated, collectively reevaluating the narrative surrounding digital activism. Over the three days, activists showcased the tactics they have adopted, with a focus on social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Short videos dominate the current and the immediate foreseeable future, demanding an awareness of social media trends in digital activism. Despite efforts to tailor content to each platform’s policies and audience, campaigns often face minimal engagement. Activists suspect that algorithmic curation by big technology companies favours government content, undermining the reach of activist campaigns. To overcome these challenges, activists have turned to collaboration with online content creators and influencers. However, this approach comes with its own set of issues, including high costs and potential credibility challenges when influencers do not align with campaign values Another significant hurdle faced by activists is the onslaught of trolls and bots during online campaigns. These entities flood critical social media posts with disinformation and abusive language, creating a hostile environment. Activists, constrained by limited platform responses to these issues, resort to adopting a more ambiguous tone during online campaigns, a strategy broadly termed “using euphemisms.” The use of euphemisms involves activists softening their language and diluting rhetoric to navigate around online obstacles. While this tactic may help sidestep censorship, it risks compromising the emotional appeal that drives people to take up the call to action. Additionally, the use of local languages can limit a campaign’s reach, hindering its ability to connect with a broader audience Beyond social media, messaging applications are crucial tools for digital activism, facilitating operational communication among activists. However, governments in the region exploit spyware and collude with tech companies to monitor these communications. Activists must employ digital security tools, but this comes at the expense of efficiency, as the constant preoccupation with security compromises their effectiveness. Repressive laws further impede transborder efforts to mobilise online. Laws restricting the scope of international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) funding, national operations and partnerships with local partners often force them to operate under restrictive conditions, such as through remote working, use of consultants, the absence of legal status and thereby forcing them to limit their visibility. Although this strategic approach allows advocacy to persist in restrictive environments, it comes at the cost of the INGOs’ overall relevance, apart from sub-granting and capacity transfer. The Digital Activism Workshop concluded with a stark realisation: digital activism is increasingly restricted through platforms’ algorithms. The path forward involves refining online and offline advocacy tactics to suit each occasion and keeping in pace with political and technological developments. Activists must strike a balance between social media adaptability and the essence of their campaigns, ensuring that activism retains its emotional appeal even if elements of it need to now include offline tactics. The era of large-scale audience targeting for mass mobilisation via social media is over. Activists should shift from blanket approaches to campaigns designed for niche audiences with the momentum to drive social change using both online and offline approaches. For INGOs, maintaining a low profile during certain campaigns is understandable, but they must recognise that their role is increasingly in the background. In navigating this evolving digital landscape, activists must remain adaptable, recognizing that the dynamics of online activism demand constant evolution and strategic innovation. The challenges are formidable, but as activists refine their approaches, the hope for meaningful change in the digital sphere endures. Asia Centre is a civil society research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It serves as a knowledge partner and undertakes evidence-based research as well as provides capacity-building training for end beneficiaries. If you would like to collaborate with the Centre, please send an expression of interest to contact@asiacentre.org.