“As Myanmar’s protesters and military dig in, can Asean, the US or China help the situation?“
On 1 March 2021, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez told the South China Morning Post (SCMP), that countries needed to get “past the rhetoric [and] move towards initiating sanctions”. He added that ASEAN had “continued to disappoint with rhetoric-based diplomacy” and had to do more.
Read the interview here
“Dr. James Gomez explains why the internet shutdowns”
On 12 February 2021, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez explained on CGTN that many young people in Myanmar are leading the protests as they are the internet generation using social media to mobilise. That is why the military is focused on internet shutdowns. However, these shutdowns have an impact on the economy. Unless the coup ceases, the countries in the region will also feel the impact from the economic fallout of this coup.
Watch the interview here
“Dr. James Gomez: Aung San Suu Kyi No Longer Democracy Icon“
On 5th February 2021, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez discussed the situation of Aung San Suu Kyi after the Military takeover in Myanmar. He noted that Aung San Suu Kyi remains an important icon but what happened recently has affected her credibility as the icon of Myanmar democracy. The international community hence are careful to link her to calls for a democratic change. Apart from ASEAN, larger countries such as China, India, Japan and South Korea need to speak up more firmly and to help resolve the situation in Myanmar.
Watch the interview here
“Dr. James Gomez on CGTN on the Myanmar military coup“
On 2nd February 2021, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez discussed the Myanmar military coup on CGTN’s The Link. He commented that political powers in the region need to speak up on developments in Myanmar and hold the military accountable instead of focusing on their business interests and being silent.
Watch the interview here
“Dr. James Gomez on ABC Australia on the coup d’état in Myanmar”
On 2nd February 2021, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez discussed the coup d’état in Myanmar over ABC Australia. He explained the situation of overturning the election results in Myanmar using the state of emergency law was similar to developments in Malaysia. COVID-19 has contributed to an erosion of democracy in Southeast Asia, Dr. Gomez added.
“Challenges to the Thai economy during the COVID-19 pandemic”
On 9th January 2021, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez discussed “the” challenges to the Thai economy during the COVID-19 pandemic on CGTN’s Asia Today. In the interview, Dr. Gomez explained how dependence on tourism has adversely affected the economy of Thailand. Even with efforts to switch to an emphasis on local tourism, it has not been effective due to continuing COVID-19 infections.
Watch the interview here.
“Bangladesh Relocating Rohingya Refugees”
On 5 December 2020, Asia Centre’s Dr. Robin Ramcharan spoke on Scope with Waqar Rizvi addressing the issue of the Bangladeshi government’s decision to relocate the Rohingyas to the island Bhasan Char. During the interview, Dr. Ramcharan discussed, among other issues, the concerns of human rights groups that the island was flood-prone and vulnerable to frequent cyclones and hence not suitable to house the Rohingya refugees.
“Bangladesh Relocating Rohingya Refugees To Bhasan Char”
On 4 December 2020, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez spoke on The World with ABC News in Australia to discuss the Bangladeshi government’s decision to relocate Rohingya refugees to the remote island Bhasan Char. During the interview, Dr. Gomez highlighted the concerns of international human rights groups that the island is flood-prone, and its prison-like conditions for the Rohingya refugees including increased surveillance and severe restrictions of movement.
“For Filipino Journalists, Local Politics Can Be a Dangerous Beat”
On 28 October 2020, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez spoke to Voice of America on the situation of threats against journalists in the Philippines. Dr. Gomez explained the Philippines media is experiencing a “publish and perish” phenomenon whereby journalists who publish critical information of the political regime or lead political figures will come under attack.
“Theatre Of Indirect Communication”
On 19 October 2020, Dr. James Gomez spoke with BFM’s Radio in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during which time he discussed the political situation in Thailand where thousands of people in Bangkok continued to take the streets despite a ban on gatherings. Dr. Gomez also addressed possible political reform scenarios.
Listen to the interview here.
“The Pandemic and Civil Society- Southeast Asia and COVID-19”
On 12 October 2020. Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez gave an interview to Asia Society’s Policy Institute where he discussed the impact of COVID-19 on Civil Society in Southeast Asia. Dr. Gomez noted that COVID-19 has impacted the civil society’s ability to assemble. There has also been an increase in the surveillance of citizens.
Watch the interview here.
“Why Vietnam Is Asking Other Asian Countries to Help Squelch Fake News“
On 1 October 2020, for the Voice of America News. Asia Centre’s, Dr. James Gomez, Identified that Southeast Asian governments normally counter false medical tips with correct information or “increase literacy”, … But when governments come under fire, he said, they tend to strike back against the purveyors of news.
Click to read the interview here.
“Rohingya massacre video confessions and elections in Myanmar”
On 9 September 2020, Dr. James Gomez spoke with ABC TV Australia’s Beverly O’Connor about the video confessions of two Myanmar Army soldiers to the International Criminal Court. Dr. Gomez highlighted that these “confessions” would not impact the elections significantly as opposed to the rising COVID-19 infections in the country. The challenge for Myanmar is if it can hold the elections safely and without compromising free and fair elections due to COVID-19.
Watch the interview here.
“Arrival of Rohingya refugees in Aceh, Indonesia”
On 7 September 2020, Dr. James Gomez spoke to Al Jazeera News, from Singapore, on the Rohingya refugees’ and asylum seekers’ arrival in Aceh, Indonesia. Dr. Gomez noted that as this occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, “it’s allowing governments in Thailand, Malaysia and even Indonesian authorities to irresponsibly push back.” He further noted that such actions can be justified on the “anxieties of their citizens around health concerns”. He suggests it’s best to put in place COVID-19 health protocols to receive refugees rather than turning them away.
Watch the interview here.
“Taiwan Accredits Surge of Foreign Reporters, Some Fleeing China”
On 28 August 2020 during an interview with Voice Of America, Dr James Gomez noted that “It (Taiwan) wants to present itself as a value-based country and the values around democracy and human rights have been articulated, and not just for itself,” whilst discussing journalistic freedom in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. “I think it also wants to set an example for others, so it kind of wants to walk the talk,” he added.
“Thais call for reform after activists’ arrest”
On 10 August 2020, Dr. James Gomez in an interview with BFM 89.9 discussed Thailand’s ongoing youth protests. Dr. Gomez noted, “we can expect this to continue and we can also expect the government to push back”. “Negative campaigning or hate speech … [and] the use of the disease control act and emergency decree combined” are tools used by the government in response to the reform demands.
Listen to the interview here.
“Thai youth protests draw moral support from Hong Kong activists”
On 28 July 2020, in this Nikkei article on the ‘Milk Tea Alliance’ which discussed the Thai and Hong Kong youth protests, Dr James Gomez asks, “Because of social media we are getting more amplification, but are we getting enough action to assert political pressure for change?”.
Read the article here.
“Gomez: Whether Singaporeans want opposition elected worth watching”
On 9 July 2020, Dr James Gomez in an interview with CGTN discussed the general election in Singapore. Dr Gomez noted that the desire for Singaporeans to have opposition party MPs elected would be the key outcome to watch.
Watch the interview here.
“Dr. James Gomez on Al Jazeera News on rights of Malaysia’s undocumented workers.”
On 11 May 2020, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez spoke to Al Jazeera on its News Hour commenting on the Malaysian government’s raid against undocumented workers in Kuala Lumpur. Dr. Gomez pointed out that in addition to the federal government, mucipal authorities and employers need to be held accountable for the rights of undocumented workers. He added that the rights of undocumented workers in the largest construction project of the Iskandar region in the southern state of Johor, also requires attention.
Watch the interview here.
“Migrant workers bear brunt of Singapore’s COVID-19 ‘second wave’ “
On 6 May 2020, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez said in Australia’s Green Left, “the COVID-19 pandemic is showing the difficulties faced by vulnerable communities, such as indigenous people, refugees, migrant workers and those working in the informal economy”.
Read the article here.
“Asian Media Battles Officials to Report on Coronavirus”
On 17 April 2020, Asia Centre’s Dr. James Gomez, in a report by Voice of America – VOA – said, “Internet” “trolls” – some appointed by governments, while others are ideological – disrupt a lot of alternative media messages. He added, emphasizing officials themselves use the term “fake news” to label reports they don’t like.”
Read the article here.
“ASEAN+3 Summit necessary for regional cooperation in addressing dual crisis: Thai experts”
On 13th April, Dr. Robin Ramcharan was asked by the Vietnam News Agency to comment on the recent ASEAN +3 Summit. Dr. Robin Ramcharan noted Vietnam’s proactive chairmanship of ASEAN amidst the COVID-19 crisis has helped to preserve ASEAN unity and cohesiveness.
Read the article here.
中國報: Datuk Wong Sai Wan asked, “How can media survive without financial support after the Regime Change?”
Malaysia’s China press reported on the 18 December 2019 joint Asia Centre and Oxfam Malaysia Launch: Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award. The report highlighted Malay Mail’s Editor-in-Chief, Datuk Wong Sai Wan suggestion that the award should consider the “sponsors” behind each media. As this feature presently distinguishes most of ASEAN’s media which are “sponsored” compared to current Malaysian media which is no longer “sponsored”.
Read the article here
星州日报：After National Front Lost Elections, “Many Media also lost financial support”
Malaysia’s Sin Chew press, reported the 18 December 2019 Asia Centre and Oxfam joint Malaysia Launch : Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award. The report highlighted Malay Mail’s Editor-in-Chief, Datuk Wong Sai Wan observation that the National Front used to subsidize many of Malaysia’s media but these media companies suddenly lost financial support after the National Front lost the election.
Read the article here
Looking Ahead to Next Year: Southeast Asia’s Big 2020 Elections
“As James Gomez of the Asia Center in Bangkok has shown, recent election seasons in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have included politicians, faith-based groups and other actors using disinformation to mobilize political supporters. He believes that Myanmar could easily fall into the same pattern.”
Read the article here
Aung San Suu Kyi to appear at ICJ as Myanmar faces genocide case
On 3 December, Dr. James Gomez spoke with Al Jazeera English on Aung San Suu Kyi’s image declining in the eyes of the international community. Dr Gomez argued that, while in the past years the international community sympathized with her more, this has turned to disappointments due to her defence of the use of #Myanmar’s armed forces against the #Rohingya situation. With the #ICJ case, we should expect to see a rise of hate speech against the #UN, INGOs and activists who call for accountability for the genocide committed against the Rohingyas.
Watch the interview here
Hate speech intensity and trajectory could shift in Myanmar 2020 elections
Dr. James Gomez’s interview was published, 30 November, in Mizzima English on hate speech in Myanmar and its effects on the upcoming election.
“In the Myanmar case, ethnic and religious based hate speech stands to morph along the lines of political ideology and values, and this requires special attention and remedial action in the run up to the November 2020 election”.
Read the interview here
Expert Concerns Over Rising Fake News and Hate Speech in Southeast Asia
Dr. James Gomez was interviewed by Men Kimseng of VOA Khmer in Washington on 18 October. They discussed how fake news in Southeast Asia can often lead to hate speech against marginalised groups and political opposition. Dr. Gomez informed that fact-checking, political literacy and quality journalism could partially help to mitigate the problem.
Watch the interview here
Economics expected to overshadow human rights in ASEAN summit
On 2 November, Dr. Gomez was interviewed by Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit. Dr. Gomez argued that some governments and INGOs in trying to find pathways to access Myanmar economically and are in the process compromising and trading down the political rights of the Rohingya community. Such governments and INGOs need to be identified and called out.
Watch the interview here.
Heavy price to pay for spreading fake news
Dr. Gomez spoke to the 89.9 BFM: The Business Station on 3 October 2019 regarding Singapore’s new “Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act” which came into act recently.
As evidenced by events leading up to the new law now put into place, Dr. Gomez said government critics and civil society activists are likely to remain the prime targets in the run up to the city-state’s next general elections.
Listen to the podcast here.
ASEAN unity and the South China Sea
Dr. James Gomez was interviewed by journalist Du Nhat Dang from the Vietnamese newspaper Tuoi Tre on August 7 2019. Dr. Gomez pointed out that ASEAN unity is increasingly subverted by China’s influence over Cambodia and Laos. He suggested that it’s best ASEAN members and other external powers adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the principle of Free and Open Indo-Pacific to avoid open conflict.
Read the interview here.
ASEAN Members’ should hold their ground and not give into China
Response to US Sanctions Against Myanmar Generals and International Criminal Court Investigations into the Rohingya Refugee Crisis
Dr. James Gomez was live on Al Jazeera – قناة الجزيرة on 18 July 2019 to comment on the US sanctions against the Myanmar generals and their family from entering into the US and the arrival of the International Criminal Court delegation in Dhaka to open an investigation into alleged crimes against the Rohingya people in Bangladesh and in the Rakhine state of Myanmar.Responding to the US sanctions on the top four Burmese generals, Dr Gomez says it is only a symbolic sanction and not effective as most Burmese prefer to consider countries like Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand as their first preferred destination for healthcare, holidays, study and work then the US. With regards to the ICC investigation, Dr. Gomez questioned whether the Bangladesh government will fully cooperate with the ICC as it risks worsening relations with its neighbor Myanmar.
The Balance Between Authenticity and Stifling Expression
Asia Centre‘s Int. Conference on Fake News and Elections in Asia was featured in Ice Business Times on 20 June 2019. In the article Asia Centre’s Conference Coordinator Tessa Alleblas explained the motivation behind legal developments surrounding fake news, noting that “Governments have argued that such legislation is in particular necessary in the run-up to elections as fake news or disinformation has the power to sway voters during the campaign period as well as fuel communal violence.”
Read full article here
Media Literacy Programme on Disinformation in Myanmar
Dr. James Gomez was interviewed by Myanmar’s DVB TVnews on 8 June 2019 for a media literacy programme on what constitutes disinformation and fake news. During the interview Dr. Gomez explained the different types of disinformation campaigns and how it relates to Myanmar’s 2020 general elections. He noted that internet penetration will continue to grow and this will impact traditional mainstream media shape and how news will be consumed during the elections. Last but not least, Dr. Gomez offered suggestions such as enlisting the young generation to help with peer fact-checking.
Watch interview here
Singapore’s fake news law: a lesson to Asia in stifling dissent?
Dr. Gomez on 9 May 2019 provides an insight into the reasons given by states to introduce fake news laws. “Using the argument of maintaining social harmony to pass legislation to control hate speech.Operationally, such laws are often used to curb political criticism of long standing regimes. You often see this played out during elections”
The Role of Fake News in Politics, Stability and Elections
Legislation is being introduced across Southeast Asia to combat fake news in the name of preserving social harmony. In practice, however, it is too often used by long-sitting regimes as a tool to discredit political opponents ahead of critical events such as elections and referendums. As a result, democratic values like freedom of expression and press freedom are directly impacted by legal retaliation to what governments call “fake news” written by their critics.
Read Dr James Gomez’s interview with the Irrawaddy on World Press Freedom Day 3rd May 2019 here.
From Fake News To Fake Elections
Dr. James spoke to the 89.9 BFM: The Business Station about the fake news legislation in the region, its impact on elections and the intersection of disinformation and false election results with Lyn Mak in Malaysia on 22 April 2019.
Listen to the interview here.
Battle for the Truth
Governments across Asia, namely in Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and India, are considering ways to tackle the problem of disinformation on social media, particularly as they gear up for crucial elections in 2019.
Read Asia Centre’s mention in the article on 16 April as Dr Gomez focuses on how in Malaysia, an anti-fake news bill was passed in April 2018, before the general election which was designed to “shape and manipulate online discussion in favour of Najib Razak’s government during the election period.
Read the article here.
Falsehoods, Facebook, and First-time Budgets
Listen to the full interview here
Post-election period in Thailand
Asia Centre’s programme coordinator Yawee Butrkrawee gave an interview to Nguyen Ngoc Phuong from Vietnam Television during 28th March 2019 on the post-election period in Thailand, the likelihood of coalition government and the impacts on Thailand’s foreign policy. He also noted the unprecedented fake news/ online disinformation during the period leading to the election and the roles of youth in Thai politics.
Quality journalism key to fighting fake news
Dr. James Gomez spoke to the Philippine news agency on 22 March 2019 as moderator the panel discussion on the role of journalists in the context of information disorder and digital literacy at the ASEAN Workshop for Addressing Fake News. However, Dr Gomez also said over criminalization” or excessive laws and regulations and vaguely-worded legislation result in legal battles between government officials and individuals or other stakeholders.
Read about the discussion here.
The Community is Comfortable with Fake News that is Sensational
On 4 March 2019, Dr. James Gomez was hosted by the Kompas Daily office in Semarang, Indonesia to speak to journalists at a media literacy roundtable. During that discussion, Dr. Gomez pointed out that the spread of false news is still rife due to unclear regulations and lack of quality filtering in the use of social media. Further, that sensational fake news attracts people to read and share them. The event and contents of the discussion was reported in Bahasa Indonesia, “Masyarakat Masih Senang Kabar Bohong yang Sensasional”.
Read the full article here.
A Right Royal Rumble – Palace Pushes Princess Out Of Race
Dr James Gomez was interviewed on 11 February 2019 by 89.9FM The Business Station on the electoral developments in Thailand following the nomination by Thai Raksa Chart Party of Princess Ubolratana as a Prime Ministerial candidate.
Listen to the full interview here
In the name of ‘fake news,’ Asian governments tighten control on social media
In February 8 2019, Dr. James Gomez was quoted in the LA times. James Gomez said “Government officials in Southeast Asia are focusing on social media commentary that causes “reputation harm” to themselves and their institutions, Unlike in the U.S., where Trump is attacking to do reputation damage to the fact-based traditional media,” he said, “in Asia, government representatives are focused on discrediting critics.”
Read the full article here:
Election Watch – Thailand’s Democratic Test
Panel discussion – Fake News The Menace
Role of ASEAN in the refugee crisis
On 5 November 2018, Dr. Gomez was interviewed by Lynda Chanwai-Earle, a researcher from Asia Media Centre at the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Key issues discussed about the Rohingya refugee crisis included forced migration, human trafficking and regional resistance to engage.
Read full article here.
Dr Gomez speaks to ABC News on the Rohingya Refugees
Dr. James Gomez spoke to the ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) from Tokyo on Friday, 28 September 2018 on the Rohingya issue after the Canadian parliament voted to strip Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi of honorary citizenship.
Watch the video here.
Halimah Yacob takes on the role of the President of Singapore
Dr Robin Ramcharan, Executive Director was interviewed by Agencia EFE on 13 September 2017, a Spanish News Agency on his comments of the change in constitutional roles as Halimah Yacob takes on the role of the President of Singapore. He welcomes the change in a male dominated political role and says becuase of her work as an MP in women’s issues and the Muslim community will make her transition to becoming the president smoother.
Read more here.
Lee Family Feud – Larger Significance?
Dr Robin Ramcharan, Executive Director, spoke to BFM 89.9 on July 2017 The Business Station regarding the younger siblings of Singapore’s prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong who had released a six page statement accusing the premier of betraying the legacy of their father, Lee Kuan Yew. Dr Ramcharan questions whether this has a larger political consequence.
Listen here
Singapore PM Lee is engaged in a very public spat with his siblings over their father’s will
Dr Robin Ramcharan, Executive Director was interviewed by the ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) in regard to the family spat of the younger siblings of the Singaporean Prime Minister. He comments this family spat is not ordinary as it concerns the trajectory of the state.
Sarakadee Magazine interview of Dr. James Gomez
In October 2016, Dr James Gomez was interviewed by Mr Sujane Kanparit for Sarakadee Magazine. He talked about his previous political engagement when he studied at the National University of Singapore in the late 1980s and his political campaigns in the 2000s. His main argument was that in order to understand Singapore, we must first understand Mainland China as political culture of Singapore has been influenced by Chinese tradition of being conservative and self-censorship. Dr Gomez also introduced Asia Centre as part of his academic contribution which aims to connect people in Southeast Asian region for intellectual exchanges.