Asian Cyberactivism: Freedom of Expression and Media Censorship

Steven Gan, James Gomez, Uwe Johannen (eds.)

Bangkok; Hong Kong: Friedrich Naumann Foundation;University of Hong Kong (2004), 644 pp.

Signature commbox: 300:70-Politics 2004

"This book aims to record political activism on the Internet and "take stock of some of the successes and failures of cyberactivists as they try to beat the various censorship regimes in Asia." The sections of this 664-page book comprise of 'Political Frameworks & New Technology', 'Regulations and Control', 'One Party States', 'Alternative Media', 'Civil Society', 'Diaspora Communities', and 'Political Parties'. The book's 18 chapters provide an overview of current trends in democracy related new media research to country-specific case studies. "The common thread running through the book is the organizing of civil society groups at the grassroots level, and how they are influencing certain segments of their respective countries, and even challenging state control and the monopoly of mainstream media." Asian Cyberactivism strives to examine political organising online in Asia even as the technology and the rules change. Activists provide their perspectives on how new media relates to democracy, and showcase examples that could be emulated to further the cause of democracy." (Communication Initiative)

Introduction. Asian cyberactivism: freedom of expression & media censorship / Jomes Gomez and Steven Gan, xiv
PART I: POLITICAL FRAMEWORKS & NEW TECHNOLOGY
1 Democracy & new communication technology: the Asian struggle / Judith Clarke, 2
2 Cyber democracy in Asia: issues, challenges & prospects / Indrajit Banerjee, 32
3 Why the Internet still matters for Asia's democracy / Geoff Long, 62
PART II: REGULATIONS & CONTROL
4 New media as big brother: the Philippines after September 11 / Alecks Pobico, 98
5 Manufacturing control: new legislations threaten democratic gains in Indonesia / Lukas Luwarso, 136
6 Emulating Singapore: towards a model for Internet regulation in Asia / Terence Lee, 162
PART III: ONE PARTY STATES
7 The Internet in Vietnam: party propaganda or infotainment? / Robin von Koert, 200
8 ICT and the demise of propaganda: China's Internet experience / Li Xiguang, 234
PART IV: ALTERNATIVE MEDIA
9 Malaysiakini: threading a tightrope of political pressure & market factors / Tong Yee Siong, 270
10 Fateha.com: challenging control over Malay/Muslim voices in Singapore / Zulfikar Mohamod Shariff, 318
PART V: CIVIL SOCIETY
11 Digital advocacy & the women's movement: global success, grassroots challenge / Susanna George ond Luz Mario Martinez, 372
12 Thai civil society & government control: a cyber struggle? / Prangtip Daorueng, 406
13 Cyber jihad: fighting the infidels from Pakistan / Zaforullah Khan, 442
PART VI: DIASPORA COMMUNITIES
14 A virtual Eelam: democracy, Internet & Sri Lanka's Tamil struggle / Kosun Uboyosir, 474

Topics:

Censorship Civil Society Digital Activism, Cyber Advocacy Election Campaigns: Social Media Ethnic Media, Minority Media Freedom of Expression Internet Media Advocacy, Media Activism Media Law & Regulation Politics and Media Social Media in Political Communication

Countries:

Asia Cambodia China India Indonesia Malaysia Myanmar / Burma Pakistan Philippines Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Vietnam

Document Type:

Experiences & Case Studies