The Post Pandemic Glocal Democracy;
Impact, Challenges, and Opportunities

May 20

Session Title 4.6. Freedom of Expression and Democracy in Asia
Key Organizer Asia Centre
Date / Time  20 May 2021 / 16:00-18:00 KST (GMT+9)
Modality / Language Virtual / English or Korean
Objectives To call out and bring attention to a number of legal and non-legal measures used to criminalize freedom of expression in Asia under the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic
Main Topics & Issues to be addressed 
  • Freedom of Expression
  • COVID-19 and the Impact on Democracy
Background Throughout 2020 and into early 2021, most countries in Southeast Asia have seen a steady decrease in their freedom of expression. Actions taken by governments and political regimes, during the pandemic, to silence criticism and control the national narrative in academia, media and over the internet have led to shrinking civic space in the region. In this panel presentation, Asia Centre’s speakers will examine the impact of COVID-19 on freedom of expression in Asia. The presentations will draw from Asia Centre’s report, Defending Freedom of Expression: Fake News Laws in East and Southeast Asia and as well as the Centre’s briefing note, Myanmar Coup and Internet Shutdowns as well as its media commentaries and interviews on the subject. The panelists will recommend that to address this issue of shrinking space for freedom of expression, international organizations increase their cooperation with academics and universities, the media; governments allow journalists and media organizations to critically report on policies; media organizations ensure the protection of journalists; and technology companies maintain independence from politics and government influence. The panel will highlight how freedom of expression has become important in the struggle to enlarge democratic space in Asia.
Speakers
  • Moderator Dr. Robin Ramcharan (Asia Centre, Thailand)
  • Presenters / Panelists,
    • Khin Mai Aung (Asia Centre, Thailand)
    • Yawee Butrkrawee (Asia Centre, Thailand)
    • Umar Bacha (Dawn (Newspaper), Pakistan)
    • Lim Min-Chen(Independent Researcher)
  • Discussants: Dr. James Gomez (Asia Centre, Thailand)
  • Rapporteur: Srettapong Srimekarat (Notetaker)


Dr. Robin Ramcharan
Role in the Session Moderator
Position and Organizational Affiliation Executive Director, Asia Centre
Nationality Thailand
Khin Mai Aung
Role in the Session Presenter
Position and Organizational Affiliation Asia Centre
Nationality Myanmar
Yawee Butrkrawee
Role in the Session Presenter
Position and Organizational Affiliation Programme coordinator, Asia Centre
Nationality Thailand
Umar Bacha
Role in the Session Presenter
Position and Organizational Affiliation district reporter, Dawn (Newspaper)
Nationality Pakistan
Lim Min-Chen
Role in the Session Presenter
Position and Organizational Affiliation Independent Researcher
Nationality
Dr. James Gomez
Role in the Session Discussant
Position and Organizational Affiliation Regional Director, Asia Centre
Nationality Thailand
Srettapong Srimekarat
Role in the Session Rapporteur
Position and Organizational Affiliation Notetaker
Nationality

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