Asia Centre Internship Video
Human Rights Internship at Asia Centre In this Internship informational video, conceptualised, scripted, filmed and compiled by Asia Centre interns, prospective applicants can get an insight into the work at the Centre. It provides an overview of Asia Centre’s activities and the types of tasks interns engage with at the Centre. Submit an application, we look forward to hearing from you! Fill the online application form Here Watch on YouTube
Asia Centre Internship Podcast
How do I become an Intern at Asia Centre ? EP1 What Does a Media Intern Do at Asia Centre? EP2 How Can I be an Effective Intern at Asia Centre ? EP3 What Does a Research Intern Do at Asia Centre? EP4
Freedom of Expression A Fundamental Right
Academic, press and internet freedoms are a cluster of rights that form freedom of expression. To realise these rights, one must have access to accurate information and be able to express an opinion across platforms of one’s choice. This is a fundamental right and we can not allow it to be diluted by authoritarian governments who are increasingly challenging the universality of rights. To unpack these issues, Asia Centre, together with the May 18 Memorial Foundation, co-convened a panel, “Freedom of Expression and Democracy in Asia”. The event was held as part of the Gwangju Democracy Forum, and was hosted online and live-streamed over social media on 20 May 2021. Imperative that all categories of freedom of expression are recognised, Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director at Asia Centre, in his opening remarks highlighted academic, press and internet freedoms as forming a cluster of rights that make up freedom of expression. Presenting data from East, South and Southeast Asia, he pointed that scores in one area of freedom often tend to mirror scores in other areas and a deterioration of one freedom affects other freedoms in the cluster. Speaking about developments following the February 2021 Myanmar coup, Khin Mai Aung, an Advisory Board Member at Asia Centre, in a video recording, presented on the state of internet freedoms. She stated that social media has come under attack by the military junta, which sought to control the flow of information through internet shutdowns and throttling internet speeds. In response, the people are using encrypted channels of communication to bypass censorship. Given the ability of the people to adapt, she was hopeful that their resilience will ensure the military junta is overcome. Against the backsliding of democracy and human rights in Thailand, Yawee Butrkrawee, Programme Coordinator at Asia Centre discussed the state of freedom of expression in the country. He pointed out the culture of self-censorship, resulting from the attack of ultra-conservative groups on university staff and students, choice of news by major media outlets, manipulation of social media by the military, and legal threats by cabinet members, is a major inhibitor of freedom of expression. In a strong show of resistance, student-activists and the youth are engaged in a push back to reclaim and secure a civic space where free and open discussion can take place. Speaking on media regulation in Pakistan, Umar Bacha, award-winning journalist from Dawn, discussed the increased use of the law to silence criticisms against the government and military. Citing closures of media organisations, retrenchment of journalists, and increased control of social media, he emphasised how such laws target both traditional and new digital forms of media are worsening the state of media freedom in the country. Umar believes this challenge can be overcome if media outlets continue to train journalists to be better aware of legislation, and how to produce effective journalism without fear. An independent researcher from Taiwan, Lilly MC Lee analysed China’s increasing role in instigating information warfare in her home country and broadly in Asia. In Taiwan, the government had enacted a National Security Law, introduced a nationwide media literacy programme and encouraged the establishment of fact-checking groups to mitigate this problem. She said, despite China’s attempts to enhance its international position through the proliferation of fake news, a blend of laws and non-legal measures can be used to respond to China’s information warfare. In this way, freedom of speech can be defended and a democratic world order maintained. Pulling the discussion together, Dr. Robin Ramcharan, Executive Director at Asia Centre, emphasised the need to understand all dimensions of freedoms of expression. Protection of all forms of expression is vital, for the encroachment on rights of a singular facet creates an overall deterioration; realisation of this is key. He cautioned that authoritarian regimes are using economic progress as a justification to infringe upon human rights. In this regard, individuals have a significant role in protecting and advocating for their personal freedom of expression. The Gwangju Democracy Forum is the third in a series of democracy forums where Asia Centre has presented its work on freedom of expression. The previous ones included the Tokyo Democracy Forum on 16 February 2021 and the Kathmandu Democracy Forum on 6 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6cAEnYhTwE&list=PLy6qU5BKTny0QKVZFd9Hua5A2EYkXaUt6&index=10
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Strengthening Relationships with Taiwanese Institutions, Think-Tanks and Universities
In December 2019, Asia Centre Directors Drs. James Gomez, Robin Ramcharan, and Partnership Coordinator, Charlotte Yuchun Tseng participated in a series of events and meetings in Taiwan to strengthen relationships with Taiwanese institutions, think-thanks and universities in both Taipei and Kaohsiung. Starting in Taipei with the SEASIA biennial conference from 5-7 December at Academic Sinica, Drs. Gomez and Ramcharan presented their joint paper, “The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR): Normative and Institutional Pathways towards an Enhanced Protection Role” during the panel on Human Rights in Southeast Asia. On the sidelines of the SEASIA conference, Asia Centre’s Dr. Gomez, Dr. Ramcharan and Charlotte Tseng met with Taiwan Asia Exchange Foundation’s (TAEF) Dr. Alan H. Yang, the Executive Director, Sherry H.C. Liu. Director and Senior Research Fellow and Nina Ning Yen Assistant Research Fellow, Department of International Cooperation to discuss potential partnership between the two institutions. TAEF is at policy-oriented think-tank in Taiwan with a focus on Southeast Asian and South Asian affairs. On December 4 to 7, Dr. Gomez delivered a series of evening lectures at International Master’s Program in International Studies (IMPIS) at National Chengchi University (NCCU). The lectures focused on human rights issues and the Universal Periodic Review of Southeast Asia. While at NCCU, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Ramcharan, and Charlotte Tseng met with the Department of Diplomacy’s Chair, Hong Yi Lien and Associate Professor Dr. Charles Wu to discuss collaboration. Both institutions agreed to explore signing a MOU to initiate joint activities. On 10th December, Dr. James Gomez delivered a public lecture at the College of Communication, NCCU . During the lecture, Dr. Gomez discussed the definition and categories of hate speech and outlined the legal and non-legal measures that negatively impact the exercise of Human Rights in Southeast Asia. On December 11th, Dr. James Gomez, and Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD)’s Secretary General, Austin Chen signed a MOU to enhance regional cooperation. The meeting was witnessed by Director of Department of International Affairs, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and member of the Legislative Yuan, Ching-Yi Lin and Asia Centre’s Charlotte Tseng. The DPP is a member of CALD. Thereafter Dr. Gomez travelled to Kaohsiung, where Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages’ College of European and Asian Languages’ Dean, Chuang-Ching Tung signed an MOU with Asia Centre to establish cooperation on topics related to Southeast Asia. Asia Centre’s will work with Wenzao’s Department of Southeast Asia Studies to explore joint human rights teaching, co-convening conferences and facilitate internships. To wrap up the Kaohsiung visit, on December 13th, Dr. James Gomez delivered a lecture on “ Fake News and Freedom of Expression in Southeast Asia” at the National Sun Yat-sen’s Institute of Political Science. Thereafter Dr. Gomez discussed cooperation opportunities between the two institutions. Asia Centre will continue to engage with Taiwanese institutions, think-tanks and universities moving forward. Its part of the Centre’s engagement with East Asia countries, such as in South Korea and Japan.
Malaysia Launch: Journalism for an Equitable Asia
The impact of media business sustainability and fear on journalists became the point of contention during the Malaysia launch event of the Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award on 18 December 2019. Co-convened by Asia Centre and Oxfam in Asia and supported by local partners Gerakbudaya and Orchan Consulting Asia, the event brought together 30 participants from the media, academia and civil society to discuss the challenges of reporting on inequality. The aim of organising the Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award is to promote strong journalism and acknowledge the hard work of journalists who have persisted in reporting on inequality in spite of the challenges the media industry faces. In the session on opening remarks, Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director, Asia Centre, highlighted that rising internet penetration and consumption of user-generated content over social media platforms via mobile devices is directing eyeballs away from quality journalism. In its stead sensational news, clickbait content, fake news and hate speech is vying for readers and viewers attention. Nipuna Kumbalathara, Media and Communications Lead, Oxfam in Asia, outlined a ‘tale of two fortunes,’ referring to Asia as a continent that has the most billionaires in the world and where 1.2 billion poor people reside. This drastic income inequality has resulted in an inequality in power. As media groups or media enterprises are often owned by powerful business magnates, this makes coverage of important and politically sensitive issues less viable. Hence, the media can no longer maintain its independence and instead practices self-censorship leading to a trust deficit among the public. Nipuna urged journalists as thought leaders and enablers to re-establish credibility by talking about issues that matter and return the power to the people to make change happen. Following on from the opening remarks, four Malaysian speakers took to the floor. Siti Kasim noted the impact of regime change in Malaysia on local journalism. She pointed out that the government has become more approachable and less abusive. However, the culture of fear, intimidation and self-censorship, a by-product of the Barisan Nasional (BN) era, still lingers. Siti used her own experience to articulate this, pointing out that The Star refused to publish her article on the grounds that the issue she discussed was too sensitive. She also cautioned the new challenge facing both government and members of the press, which is extremists disseminating fake news with impunity. This is a 2018 post-election phenomenon that Malaysia needs to contend with. Datuk Wong Sai Wan, as the editor-in-chief of Malay Mail, offered a business viewpoint on journalism in Malaysia. He argued that the business sustainability of the media industry in Malaysia is drastically affecting the ability of journalists to report on politically sensitive issues such as inequality and social justice. “The Barisan Nasional had subsidized many Malaysian media. These media suddenly lost financial support after the BN lost the general election in 2019”. Coupled with the digital disruption and inability to regain trust, Malaysia media face serious financial difficulties and have to make business decisions to survive by shying away from sensitive issues. Hence, Datuk Wong Sai Wan worried that, by 2020, there may not be Malaysian journalists who are worthy of the award. Gareth Corsi, sub-editor, Malaysian Insight, voiced his concern of what he termed as a defunct media ecosystem in Malaysia. He argued that apart from the trust deficit, there is a quality deficit among Malaysian reporters. On many occasions, he has observed Malaysian journalists not being proactive, offer no critical insights nor investigate issues; rather they are indifferent and prefer to wait for the government’s or an organization’s press release and report in a verbatim manner. Consequently, this has contributed to low trust in the media in Malaysia. Gareth proposed that one way to regain trust is to revise and improve how journalism is taught in educational institutions. He used an example of a journalism course he took during his studies, which was designed by experienced communicators preparing course participants to operate as a front-line journalists. Despite the decreased trust and financial viability, Dr. Hartini Zainudin, co-founder and vice president, Yayasan Chow Kit, argued that, from her experience working on the children-related issues, journalists are willing to report as it is usually not seen as a sensitive topic. Over the years she has built a rapport with them, she recognizes them as being a voice of the marginalized and the powerless, and there argued there is indeed quality in their coverage on the issue. Dr. Zaharom Nain, Professor of Media and Communication Studies, Nottingham University, wrapped up the discussion from the floor by commenting that, in spite of irreconcilability between business sustainability and fear, he felt that quality journalism still exists in Malaysia. He said there are enough quality journalists and stories that could easily qualify for this Award. The event was made possible with support of local partners Gerakbudaya who provided the venue and logistical support, while Orchan Consulting Asia coordinated speaker and media invitations. The event was reported in The Star, Sin Chew and China press. The Malaysia launch event for the Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award is one in a series of on-site and online launch events in South and Southeast Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia to create awareness of this Award. The call for nominations are now open and the nomination criteria can be accessed here. Asia Centre and Oxfam in Asia look forward to receiving nominations.
Sumitomo Grant Aids Asia Centre’s Engagements in Japan
Asia Centre’s Regional Director Dr. James Gomez delivered 5 public lectures, signed 2 MOUs and met with academics, researchers, politicians, lawyers and civil society representatives in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka from 17-28 November 2019. This Japan visit is part of Asia Centre’s “Research on Fake News and Lessons from Japan for Southeast Asia,” supported by the Sumitomo Foundation. The primary purpose was to present the findings of Asia Centre’s initial baseline study on fake news in Southeast Asia to Japanese institutions. The trip started off with a technical briefing on 18 November 2019 at the Headquarters of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Tokyo, Japan hosted by Dr. Keitaro Ohno, Deputy Secretary-General and Ryuji Koizumi, Director-General of the International Bureau of Liberal Democratic Party. At that meeting, Dr. Gomez briefed the LDP parliamentary caucus on fake news legislation in Southeast Asia and its use as an intervention tool by foreign governments and possible measures to counter this. Dr. Gomez also met with Mr. Kimiaki Kawai of the Toda Peace Institute on 19 November 2019 and Satoko Kitamura, Vice-Chair of Hate Speech Project Team and Ryo Takagai of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations on 21 November 2019. During these meetings, the parties exchanged information on each institutions’ work, discussing fake news, social media, racial discrimination and hate speech. Aside from this technical briefing, Dr. Gomez delivered 5 public lectures at different Universities in Japan. In Tokyo, Dr. Gomez spoke at Gakushuin University and at the Institute of International Relations, Sophia University on 20 and 21 November 2019 respectively. These lectures focussed on hate speech, because hate speech is a potent by-product of fake news that is giving rise to violence and communal strife; this was one of the major findings on the International Conference on Fake News and Elections (10-12 July 2019) organised by Asia Centre. Following that, three other lectures were held in Kyoto and Osaka at: the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University on 25 November 2019; Graduate School of Letters, Osaka University on 26 November 2019; and at Osaka Jogakuin University on 27 November 2019. These lectures addressed “Fake News Legislation in Southeast Asia” and the lessons learned for Japan. Apart from these lectures, meetings were held with academia, civil society and other supporting institutions. During these meetings, Dr. Gomez further engaged with stakeholders on fake news and discussed partnerships regarding the Centre’s Freedom of Expression project and its 2020 conference on Hate Speech in Asia: Challenges and Solutions. The meetings were held with: Jeffrey J. Hall of Waseda University; Prof. Seong-Bin Hwang, Rikkyo University; Prof. Tadashi Anno and Assoc. Prof. Tina Burrett from Sophia University; Prof. Muranushi Michimi, Gakushuin University; Prof. Jun Sakamoto, Hosei University; Dr. Yoko Hayami, Kyoto University; Prof. Taro Mochizuki, Osaka University; Saul J. Takahashi, Osaka Jogakuin University; and Prof. Toru Oga, Kyushu University. Rounding off the trip, as part of the Centre’s strategic engagement to formalize collaboration via MOU, the Centre signed two MOUs with institutions in Japan. On 25 November 2019, Dr. Yoko Hayami from the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), University of Kyoto, signed an MOU with Asia Centre. On 27 November 2019, Prof. Eiko Kato-Otani, President of Osaka Jogakuin University signed an MOU with Asia Centre. The MOUs provide the framework for the institutions to undertake joint research, co-convene activities and facilitate visits or internships. In sum, the Sumitomo Foundation research grant enabled Asia Centre to enhance fake news literacy among Japanese stakeholders as well as engage in partnership-building activities to facilitate collaborations. The trip follows the Centre’s recent Japan-ASEAN Roundtable on 4 October 2019 and an outreach trip in 2018 to Tokyo, Japan. In East Asia, the Centre has been building up it’s engagement starting in 2018 and 2019 with other outreach trips to South Korea and Taiwan.
Asia Centre engages with Indian Universities and Think-Tanks
Over February to March 2019, Asia Centre will participate in several meetings organised by Indian universities and think-tanks in Kolkata. Kicking-off, Dr. James Gomez, Chair, Board of Directors, Asia Centre will be Calcutta’s University delegate to the Bengal Global Business Summit on 7th and 8th February 2019. The annual flagship event, organized by Government of West Bengal, is positioned as the business gateway to South-East Asia and North-East India. During the occasion, Asia Centre will sign an Memorandum of Understanding with Calcutta University to formalise cooperation between the two entities. A month later, from 8 to 9 March 2019, Tessa Allebas Asia Centre’s Research and Grants Officer will participate in NSHM Knowledge Campus’s International Seminar on the Media. At the Seminar, Asia Centre, is the official partner for the Technical Session “Media & Human Rights”, scheduled at 11am on 9th March 2019. During the session, Ms Allebas will highlight trends in manufactured opinion over social media. Later in March, on the 25th and 26th, Asia Centre’s Dr. Robin Ramcharan, will speak at a workshop on “Significance of the Bay of Bengal: India and South East Asia. The event is organised by the Observer Research Foundation (Kolkata) as a part of its research programme on “Proximity to Connectivity”. Dr. Ramcharan will address the session, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) and speak on the Rohingya refugee crisis. Asia Centre’s engagements in Kolkata scheduled in 2019, come on the back of a trip in late November to early December 2018, when its Chair, Dr. James Gomez, had a series of outreach engagements with Indian universities and think-tanks around building partnerships for the upcoming Fake News conferences and other joint activities and projects. Starting in Kolkata, from 26 to 30 November 2018, Dr. Gomez was a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for South and South East Asian Studies, University of Calcutta, Alipur campus. During his visit, Dr Gomez addressed the topic of ‘Thainess and the Contemporary Challenges of a Diverse Society’ during the panel discussion “Thailand in Perspective.” At Amity University, its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay and Mr. Rajesh Sisodia, Deputy Director, School of Communication welcomed Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez and discussed partnership for the International Conference on Fake News and Elections in Asia. NSHM Knowledge Campus Chief Mentor Cecil Anthony and Prof. Mrityunjoy Chatterjee also discussed the International Conference on Fake News and Elections in Asia partnerships and other collaborations. During his visit, Dr. Gomez addressed the media department’s staff and students and was interviewed over 91.2 Y-FM NSHM Community Radio. Following on from Kolkata, Dr James Gomez, introduced the work of Asia Centre in Northeast India, in the cities of Guwahati, Assam and Shillong, Meghalaya in early December 2018. In Guwahati on 1 December 2018, Dr. James Gomez spoke on “Fake News and Elections in Southeast Asia” at the well-attended event at the Guwahati Press Club. The event was organised by Institute of Media and Development Studies, Guwahati. Again, at the Guwahati Press Club the next day on 2 December, Dr. Gomez spoke on Social Innovation in Action: Southeast Asian Perspective. The event was moderated and organised by Mr. Deepak Baruah, Centre of Innovation in Governance and Public Administration, Guwahati. In Shillong, Dr James Gomez joined a panel of prominent local actors to the topic “Fake News – The Menace”. The event was organised by social enterprises Jookto and Nagrik Mancha Shillong at on 4 December at Shillong Club. The discussions on fake news both in Guwahati and Shillong were reported in the local vernacular and English press. The meetings in late 2018 have set the pace for follow on activities in Kolkata, India in early 2019. Meanwhile discussions are ongoing with other partners for future joint activities. Asia Centre plans to expand its engagement with India to other states and also to other countries in South Asia. Previous Next
Asia Centre Reaches Out to Australian Networks
15 November 2018 – The return visit by Union Aid Abroad (APHEDA) Jill Biddington and Tom Addy to discuss collaboration marks Asia Centre successful outreach to activist networks in Australia. Dr. James Gomez, Chair, Board of Directors of Asia Centre visited Sydney and Canberra from 16 to 21 October 2018 where he gave several public talks and engaged with academics and activists to build solidarity as well as identifying opportunities for policy advocacy in Australia for issues affecting Southeast Asia. At the University of Sydney, co-hosted by Sydney Southeast Asia Centre and Malaysia and Singapore Society of Australia (MASSA), Dr Gomez spoke on developments in Singapore during the session the joint seminar in Political Contestations in Malaysia and Singapore. At the Sociology Department of Macquarie University, he gave his insights on “Fake News and Social Media: Freedom of Expression in S.E. Asia” At the Forum “Human Rights and Labour Rights in Singapore: Forum” hosted at Unions NSW Auditorium, Dr Gomez spoke on the need for international solidarity. Out in Canberra, Dr Gomez visited the Parliament of Australia with Luke Whitington, of SEARCH Foundation and Dr Nicholas Harrigan, Macquarie University, and had several informal meetings with senators. Asia Centre’s outreach Down Under, comes on the back of the Centre’s engagement in the last few years with academics from universities in Australia who have regularly participate in the Centre’s activities. This includes a Roundtable on the Rohingyas Crisis which was co-hosted by both Asia Centre and Monash University. This, in part, is connected to Dr. Gomez’ own association with Monash University first as a PhD student and latter as its Deputy Associate Dean (International Affairs) and Head of the Public Relations Department, Faculty of Arts. More recently, Asia Centre was the recipient of its first New Colombo Plan Scholar – Elise Schuster an undergraduate from the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Her internship at Asia Centre was supported by the through the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Asia Centre will have a second incoming New Colombo Scholar, Oliver Thompson, will start its internship in 2019. Asia Centre, will continue engage with its Australian networks as part of its efforts increase the Centre outreach beyond Southeast Asia. ***
IFC #4: Asia Centre marks UN Day with debate on “Rice before Rights”
International Faculty Club (24 October 2018) – The argument that development priorities take precedence over civil and political rights threatens to upend the international human rights movement, which has advocated for the indivisibility of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs) and civil and political rights (CIVPOL). This argument is advanced by China and those attracted by its model of governance and growth. However, as Canadian Ambassador Donica Pottie noted pointed out during the roundtable on ‘Rice before Rights”, held on 24 October 2018, western countries share responsibility for this situation, as they chose to emphasize civil and political rights over ESCRs in their foreign policies. Experts at the event, held on UN day, noted the contributions of the UN but noted major challenges of defending human rights in the contemporary geopolitical context of a rising China, the disengagement of the US and Europe, and a resurgent Russia. In addition to the above normative challenge above, it was noted that the rules-based multilateralism required for advancing international human rights standards is also under threat. Furthermore, civil society faces a difficult task as it faces shrinking space for advocacy as well as financial constraints. Its ability to effect progressive change was questioned. The need for a reinvigorated humanism was noted, with all participants calling for a ‘new mandala’ that placed the well being and emancipation of the person at the centre of all thought and action. The roundtable discussion, attended by some 40 guests, took place during Asia Centre’s International Faculty Club (IFC) and featured Ambassador Pottie, as well as Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed from the Centre for Genocide Studies, University of Dhaka, Dr. Latifa Laghzaoui, Webster University Thailand and Mr. Dipendra K C, School of Global Studies, Thammasat University. The event enjoyed the support of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. Asia Centre will continue to engage on human rights and contemporary development, human rights and peace issues during the IFC, which is an innovative mechanism that brings together academics, civil society, graduates students, policy makers and other stakeholders together to share ideas and forge collaborations.