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Media Advisory - Press Conference: From Digital Dictatorship to Transnational Repression
The ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship cordially invites you to a Press Conference to the launch of their flagship country reports covering nine ASEAN countries: ‘Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia’ on 27 June 2024, starting at 7pm at The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, Bangkok.
The ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship was founded in 2020 as the first regional ASEAN civil society coalition to combat digital authoritarianism and oppose cyber censorship and surveillance perpetrated against political activists, human rights defenders, marginalised communities - anyone fighting for true democracy and freedoms. For the past 4 years, the Coalition has analysed the rising digital dictatorship in nine Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), and how it translates into transnational repression on the ground. The nine country booklets being launched on 27th of June, is a testimony of solidarity and calls on all actors to restore true democracy. We invite all journalists to join us and help us spread the truth about #WhatsHappeningInSoutheastAsia! We need you to hold authoritarian governments into account and bring some change. The coalition includes Manushya Foundation, ALTSEAN-Burma, Cambodian Center for Human Rights, ELSAM, Free Expression Myanmar, Foundation for Media Alternatives, ILGA Asia, The Rohingya Maiyafuinor Collaborative Network, VietTan, SAFEnet and Women’s Peace Network. Learn more about the ASEAN Coalition here.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MEDIA BRIEFING : WHEN, WHERE, SPEAKERS! |
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WHAT 📰🎙️ | Media Briefing ‘From Digital Dictatorship to Transnational Repression’ : 📚Flagship Launch of Country Reports by the ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship - Dawn of Digital Dictatorship Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia |
WHEN ⏰ | Thursday, 27th of June, at 7.00 PM |
WHERE 📍 | FCCT - Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, P floor, 518/5 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10300 |
Moderated by Tommy Walker, Secretary, Board Member, FCCT Speakers:
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The event is open & free to All! * Light refreshments will be served. | |
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON SOCIALS | |
FCCT YouTube | |
Manushya FB | |
Manushya IG |
Background: In Southeast Asia, the digital realm is no longer the free, safe haven for expression it once was. Increasingly, restrictive legislation against human rights defenders, activists, and journalists is eroding fundamental online freedoms and silencing critical voices. More troubling still, this digital authoritarianism has now manifested into targeted violence and transnational repression, underscoring the urgent need for digital rights to be respected and protected. The nine country reports explore how government policies in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, are being weaponised to erode digital rights and freedoms from 2020 to 2023. Namely, the report illustrates how governments use or exploit the COVID-19 pandemic, vague defamation or lèse majesté laws to suppress freedom of speech and privacy, spyware, police powers and the complicity of tech companies to monitor and attack human rights defenders. Even more worrying, the report identifies how rising digital dictatorship results in transnational repression. Alongside the report, years of research and advocacy are distilled into nine country booklets, to equip activists with the knowledge and actionable insights needed to fight for their own digital freedom in their communities.
The Press Conference will include a panel discussion featuring coalition members and human rights defenders, aiming to inform, engage and inspire attendees to consider new ideas and solutions grounded on feminist values, centering the voices and power of The People to address the eroding digital freedoms and related transnational repression in Southeast Asia.
ACCESS THE PRESS RELEASE & OUR FLAGSHIP COUNTRY REPORTS | |
Manushya News Page | |
Manushya Publications Page | |
ASEAN Coalition Campaign Page |
Given your expertise and media coverage in the region, we believe your presence and participation will be invaluable to the conversation. We sincerely hope you can join us for this important occasion.
Yours sincerely,
The ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship
Contact details:
Tricia Ho, Programme Officer, Protecting & Resourcing HRDs and Movements, Manushya Foundation: tricia@manushyafoundation.org
Sofia Moreno, Human Rights Protection & Advocacy Assistant: sofia@manushyafoundation.org
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