Latest posts by Mong Palatino
Laos social media task force: Will it target ‘fake news’ or censor online criticism?
"The reinforcement of social media platforms’ registration and severe control of online information are another reflection of the digital dictatorship in Laos."
Two Malaysian artists face police probe for online commentary and artwork
"The persecution of artists such as Zunar and Fahmi stifles creative expression, chills public discourse, and undermines trust in Malaysian authorities."
Singapore bloggers crowdfund defamation damages due to PM Lee Hsien Loong
"The contribution to the crowdfunding movement is an example of targeted resistance against the government's financially based persecution method against individuals."
Malaysia’s ‘fake news’ ordinance takes effect amid continuing concern over the COVID-19 state of emergency
"This ordinance strengthens the perception that the state of emergency we are currently in is a smokescreen to curb any form of criticism towards the government of the day."
Cambodia’s internet gateway could intensify surveillance and censorship
"Government surveillance cultivates an environment of fear, creating incentives for self-censorship and directly undermining the ability of journalists and human rights defenders to undertake their work."
Myanmar introduces ‘draconian’ cyber security bill amid growing anti-coup protests
'It can be expected that the true aim of the bill is to repress freedom of expression online and ban social networks.'
Thai woman receives 43-year sentence for sharing audio clips ‘defaming’ the monarchy
"Although her sentence was reduced to 43 years, it’s still too harsh & unnecessary cruel. Should a defamation case land someone several decades in jail?"
Singaporean activist who staged a solo protest with a ‘smiley’ placard charged with illegal assembly
"I barely stayed in the area for more than several seconds. Yet, what I did has been deemed as a public protest by the State."
Solomon Islands bans Facebook for ‘harmful content’
"Do not go into public life and make laws and decisions for your own good or for your own protection as is seen with the banning of Facebook."
Malaysian students face sedition probe over Facebook post urging the king not to interfere in politics
"Academic scholarship and promotion of human rights cannot flourish in an atmosphere of censorship and disproportionate restriction of speech and expression."
Myanmar NGO launches tool for voters to compare human rights programs of parties competing in election
"Our aim is to give the electorate complete information about the political parties’ human rights promises – or lack of promises – so that voters can make a fully informed decision."
Fighting disinformation and fact-checking the Myanmar election
Global Voices interviewed Thet Min, fact-checker for ‘Real or not’ fact-checking news website, about their efforts to expose and stop disinformation in Myanmar ahead of the November 8 elections.
Vietnamese activist and journalist Pham Doan Trang arrested for ‘anti-state propaganda’
"I don’t need freedom just for myself, that would be too easy. I want something much greater: freedom and democracy for all of Vietnam."
News website faces police probe in Singapore for boosting Facebook posts during elections
"We condemn the abuse of the law to harass independent media and critics. We denounce the lack of independence of the Singapore Elections Department."
#FreeMuay: Groups call for release of Laotian net idol and environment advocate
"Muay bravely stood up to protect the environment. Muay does not deserve to be let alone imprisoned from taking this stand."
Website exposing military corruption blocked in Myanmar
"It shows the increased intolerance by the government on freedom of expression and that they are trying to cover up the crimes and corruption of the military."
Myanmar activist poet convicted for protesting against internet shutdown
The protest featured the unfurling of a banner that read: “Is the internet being shut down to hide war crimes and killing people?”
Concerned citizens petition Timor-Leste authorities to drop planned revival of defamation law
"This proposed law is to protect those in power from criticism when they commit any act of corruption and any other acts of crime."
Indonesian students expelled from school face treason charges for joining a protest on Papua
"Khairun University should support academic freedom and free expression, not expel students peacefully expressing their views."
Human rights defenders and journalists under attack in Southeast Asia
The past two weeks saw several disturbing cases of arrests, convictions, and raids targeting human rights activists and journalists in Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.