Stories about East Asia
Lessons from Indonesia's 2024 election: Social media, censorship, and youth vote
During the elections, generative AI content was used in the campaigns by many parties and there were a variety of attitudes towards its use.
China’s top nationalist influencer Hu Xijin silenced for over a month, but very few miss him
Hu Xijin, the former chief editor of the Chinese-state-funded Global Times and a prominent nationalist commentator, has been quiet on social media for over one month, since he critiqued party policy.
Two Hong Kong journalists found guilty of sedition after a 2-year trial
Two former chief editors of the now-defunct Stand News were found guilty of sedition, marking the first such conviction of journalists since the former British colony returned to China in 1997.
From Myanmar to Thailand: Displaced journalists tell their stories
"I still have concerns that police will raid our office and arrest us because we have no permit to operate a news agency."
What are the controversies over Hong Kong’s latest cybersecurity bill?
“The proposals give authorities overly broad powers that could threaten the integrity of service providers and rock confidence in the city’s digital economy.”
‘We have nothing except our hearts, and our minds': Vietnamese activist sentenced to five years in prison
“The only thing we did was to act in accordance with our conscience, speak up our thoughts, our desire, our longing.”
Malaysia’s social media licensing rule: Online protection or censorship?
"Licensing of social media platforms is unnecessary, high-handed and poses a serious danger to our democratic right to criticise or question the Government."
Taiwan struggles to combat Chinese influence in it’s generative AI tools
Taiwan released TAIDE, a Taiwan-centric generative AI bot, in April 2024, to address cultural and political bias and security risks, like industrial espionage, cyber-attacks and propaganda, associated with imported AIs.
Chair of Hong Kong press union Selina Cheng fired by Wall Street Journal
Selina Cheng was told that employees of The Wall Street Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom “in a place like Hong Kong.”
Montagnard Indigenous activist arrested in Thailand, resists being extradited to Vietnam
“The case of Y Quynh Bdap clearly illustrates the Vietnamese authorities’ efforts to exercise its long-arm repression against human rights defenders beyond its own border.”
Attack on pro-Palestinian activist in Taiwan undermines Israel's image on the island
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Taiwan has seen several civic initiatives calling for an alternative discussion of events in Gaza.
Singapore files charges against three women for ‘illegal’ pro-Palestine rally
"The simple act of Singaporeans peacefully delivering a letter to the President’s office must be respected and protected."
‘We cannot be dispirited’: Mother Nature activists defiant after court conviction in Cambodia
Ten environmental activists in Cambodia were found guilty of insulting the king and plotting against the government in connection with their environmental justice campaigns.
War on citizens: How the junta’s VPN ban is strangling communication in Myanmar
"People should not underestimate what the regime is doing. Yet at the same time, they should not succumb to unwarranted fear. The regime can’t control everything."
China’s legal warfare on Taiwan separatists: The death penalty and absentia trials
Critics believe the guidelines will have a chilling effect and deter ordinary Taiwanese from expressing pro-independent views. Additionally, fewer Taiwanese tourists will travel to China and Hong Kong.
Censorship and isolation as China bans thousands of mobile apps
Research on Apple censorship finds out, as of March 2023, 11,026 out of a total of 40,049 apps were unavailable in China Apple Stores. The ratio of unavailability was 27.53 percent.
Indonesia’s Broadcasting Bill could restrict investigative journalism and LGBTQ+ content
"With shrinking space caused by the internet and social media and struggling for sustainable financial support, more restrictions on journalism means sucking out the already limited air that we breathe."
Keeping the memory of Beijing's 1989 Tiananmen Massacre alive in Taiwan
June 4, 2024 marks the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre of pro-democracy protestors in China.Today Taiwan remains the last Chinese-speaking society where public commemorations can take place to commemorate it.
Tiananmen crackdown commemorations foiled by large Hong Kong police deployment
Hundreds of police officers were stationed around Victoria Park and Causeway Bay on June 4 to thwart the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of Tiananmen Crackdown.
Hong Kong’s June 4 memory battle behind Chow Hang-tung and her supporters’ arrests
Chow started presenting her own testimony/memories about the June 4 commemoration beginning April 30, 2024 — the date marks a 35-day countdown for the 35th anniversary of 1989 June 4 crackdowns in China.
