Activism vs Censorship: The Internet in Southeast Asia

The Conviviality of the Internet One-to-one and many-to-many Low/affordable cost Ease of use Broad availability Enthrenced Technological resistance to surveillance and censorship

One-to-one and many-to-many

Low/affordable cost

Ease of use

Broad availability

Enthrenced

Technological resistance to surveillance and censorship

ICT development in Southeast Asia The State of Internet Usage

Index of “Voice” in Selection and Accountability of Government (1997-1998) Freedom of Speech and Press

Press Freedom in Southeast Asia, 1994-2002

Controlling the Internet VIETNAM: utilizing firewalls, arresting cyber-dissidents, blocking websites MYANMAR: limited ‘Intranet’ (MWW), <10,000 emails, no free email, licensing modem ownership LAOS: monitoring/controlling access, punishment SINGAPORE: SBA control, ICLS, ICP, no ‘prohibited material’ MALAYSIA: no censor, but …… THAILAND, PHILIPPINES, INDONESIA: freer cyberspace, but …

VIETNAM:

utilizing firewalls, arresting cyber-dissidents, blocking websites

MYANMAR:

limited ‘Intranet’ (MWW), <10,000 emails, no free email,

licensing modem ownership

LAOS:

monitoring/controlling access, punishment

SINGAPORE:

SBA control, ICLS, ICP, no ‘prohibited material’

MALAYSIA:

no censor, but ……

THAILAND, PHILIPPINES, INDONESIA:

freer cyberspace, but …

CYBERACTIVISM VIETNAM: active cyber-dissidents - cybercafe phenomenon

VIETNAM:

active cyber-dissidents - cybercafe phenomenon

LAOS & MYANMAR diasporic community’s websites

LAOS & MYANMAR

diasporic community’s websites

SINGAPORE soc.culture.singapore, Feedback.gov.sg, ThinkCentre.org, Sintercom.org

SINGAPORE

soc.culture.singapore, Feedback.gov.sg, ThinkCentre.org, Sintercom.org

MALAYSIA Malaysiakini.com, FreeAnwar.com, HarakahDaily.com

MALAYSIA

Malaysiakini.com, FreeAnwar.com, HarakahDaily.com

INDONESIA Reformasi 1998 - Overthrow of Soeharto Mediator Internet users Mass mobilization Printed/Photocopied/Faxed material Political activists Cyber activists Ordinary people Info Online info Oral & Textual (Fax, fixed phone, mobile phone, email, etc.) Physical Physical Cyber Hybrid coordinating organising/mobilising

INDONESIA

Reformasi 1998 - Overthrow of Soeharto

PHILIPPINES Overthrow of Estrada 2001 Mediator Internet users Mass mobilization Oral and textual Mobile phone - SMS Political activists Cyber activists Ordinary people Info Online info Oral & Textual (mainly mobile phones) Physical Physical Cyber Hybrid coordinating organising/mobilising

PHILIPPINES

Overthrow of Estrada 2001

Some thoughts…… All assumptions about political empowerment -> technologically determinism of debate was misplaced An understanding of the political dimensions of the Internet in SEA -> historical context; existing civil society development, civil and political liberties, freedom of speech and press Dichotomy of have and have-not ? The rise of urban middle class (major users of ICT) vs. economic (per capita GDP) or access ? Level of surveillance vs resistance/cyberactivism?

All assumptions about political empowerment -> technologically determinism of debate was misplaced

An understanding of the political dimensions of the Internet in SEA -> historical context; existing civil society development, civil and political liberties, freedom of speech and press

Dichotomy of have and have-not ?

The rise of urban middle class (major users of ICT) vs. economic (per capita GDP) or access ?

Level of surveillance vs resistance/cyberactivism?