This paper deals with the online civic space and cyber laws in East and Southeast Asia. In countries where an atmosphere of repression is already prevalent, authoritarian governments further suppress freedoms by complementing cyber laws with existing repressive legislation that hinder freedom of expression offline.
Citing the proliferation of fake news and national security concerns has proven to be a fashionable way to expand restrictions on freedom of expression in the cyberspace. This belies a grave misunderstanding of current threats found in the Internet that leads to the enforcement of ineffective legislation and disproportionate sanctions. As a result, cyber laws further propagate a culture of self-censorship, exacerbating the rising trend of digital authoritarianism in East and Southeast Asia.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Added Repression, New Justifications
- Emblematic Case: Thailand's Lèse-Majesté
- Ineffective Legislation and Disproportionate Sanctions
- Invasive Monitoring and Surveillance
- Disproportionate Sanctions
- Emblematic Case: Crackdown on dissent in Laos
- Self-censorship and Rising Digital Authoritarianism
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This working paper examines the role of cyber laws in East and Southeast Asia, specifically focusing on how these laws are used to suppress online freedom of expression and contribute to a growing trend of digital authoritarianism.
- The use of cyber laws to expand restrictions on freedom of expression online
- The role of "fake news" and national security concerns in justifying these restrictions
- The impact of cyber laws on civil society and human rights work
- The prevalence of self-censorship and its contribution to digital authoritarianism
- The use of invasive monitoring and surveillance techniques by governments
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins by exploring the historical context of freedom of expression in East and Southeast Asia, highlighting how existing laws restricting traditional media have been extended to the digital realm. It then delves into specific examples of how cyber laws are being used to suppress dissent in various countries within the region, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, China, Vietnam, and Thailand. The paper highlights key cases like that of Thanakorn Siripaiboon in Thailand, who was charged with lèse-majesté for online content critical of the monarchy, and Somphone Phimmasone, Lodkham Thammavong, and Soukan Chaithad in Laos, who were arrested for Facebook posts criticizing the government.
Further, the paper examines the shortcomings of these cyber laws, including overly broad and vague provisions, disproportionate sanctions, and intrusive monitoring and surveillance practices. It discusses how these laws contribute to a culture of self-censorship and the rise of digital authoritarianism, with China's "Great Firewall" and Singapore's Info-Communications Media Development Authority serving as examples of such measures.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts explored in this paper include: cyber laws, freedom of expression, online civic space, digital authoritarianism, self-censorship, fake news, national security, invasive monitoring, surveillance, repressive legislation, and human rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are cyber laws used in East and Southeast Asia?
In many cases, authoritarian governments use cyber laws to complement existing repressive legislation, further restricting freedom of expression and suppressing political dissent online.
What is "digital authoritarianism"?
It refers to the use of digital technology and the internet by governments to monitor, control, and repress their citizens, often through surveillance and restrictive cyber laws.
How do "fake news" justifications affect free speech?
Governments often cite the fight against fake news or national security as a pretext to expand censorship and impose disproportionate sanctions on critics.
What is the situation regarding cyber laws in Thailand?
Thailand is noted for its strict lèse-majesté laws, which have been extended to the digital space to prosecute individuals for online content critical of the monarchy.
What are the consequences of broad cyber laws for civil society?
Broad and vague laws lead to a culture of self-censorship, as individuals and organizations fear legal repercussions for expressing their views online.
What is the "Great Firewall"?
It is China's extensive system of internet censorship and surveillance, which serves as a major example of digital authoritarianism in the region.
- Quote paper
- Dominique Calanas (Author), 2018, Contextualising Cyber Laws in East and Southeast Asia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/498548
