In recent years, the popular belief that the Internet is an inherently liberating space for free political expression and participation has been tempered by encroaching government control, censorship and surveillance of online political communications. Southeast Asia’s ‘netizens’, especially activists and dissidents, can risk legal persecution or other repercussions for critical views posted online, and the Internet appears to have become an increasingly undemocratic space. This webinar discusses various manifestations of cyber-controls and online censorship in Southeast Asia, their potentially stifling effects on open political debates online, and how netizens respond and circumvent such controls.
The webinar discussion is joined by Mr Damar Juniarto (Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network) who will speak on “Internet Shutdown in Indonesia: The New Normal Policy to Censor Information Online?”, Mr Arnoud Zwemmer(University of Amsterdam) will discuss “The Unevenness of Internet Controls in Malaysia”, Mr Arthit Suriyawongkul(Foundation for Internet and Civic Culture; Thai Netizen Network) will speak on “Evolving Cyber Tactics against Dissidents in Thailand, from Web 1.0 to Encrypted Web”, and Mr Dien Nguyen An Luong (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute) will speak on “Online Censorship and Circumvention in Vietnam”. Dr Benjamin Loh (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute) is the moderator of this webinar.
Cyber-controls and Censorship: The End of Democratic Space Online?
Monday, 12 October 2020
GMT 8.00am – 9.30am
(Singapore, 3.00pm – 4.30pm)
