ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship China’s Grip Tightens: Controlling Lao News through the One Belt, One Road Initiative The deadline for Lao people to register their mobile Lao PDR (Laos) and China are closely collaborating disconnected and permanently removed from the under the One Belt, One Road initiative, strengthening phone network.25 their relationship through improved infrastructure. At the 3rd One Belt, One Road summit, the Lao and Chinese presidents endorsed a media cooperation agreement to enhance reporting on initiative developments.22 phone numbers was extended several times, until December 16, 2023. Individuals who fail to register their SIM cards would face fines and could risk being The ministerial notice was originally issued amid the COVID-19 pandemic under the guise of virus containment measures, but officials now claim it’s aimed at combating scams, while Human Rights In 2023, the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture, groups suspect its true intent is to surveil dissenting and Tourism (MICT) and China’s Radio-Television voices. signed an agreement to modernise the Lao media industry over the next decade. Foresees increased exchanges between radio and television personnel to promote the One Belt, One Road initiative globally. Collaboration between Lao National Television and Chinese counterparts has already improved electronic media quality through equipment provision and training. China has granted scholarships for Lao media officials’ training, fostering closer ties. The growing relationship is evident in joint efforts to report on One Belt, One Road developments, including feature films, documentaries, online broadcasts, and collaborative radio and television programs. 23 Regulating Content by Controlling Internet Service Providers: The Telecom Law 2021 The New Telecommunications Law, dated 16 November 2021 (the Telecom Law 2021), has replaced the previous Telecommunications Law of December 2011.26 Under the Telecom Law 2021, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will have the obligation to cooperate with the government to block content deemed inappropriate, and to “report web users’ names, professions and data search histories to the authorities.”27 This orchestrated control over media outlets not only stifles journalistic freedom but also results in a dire lack of credible information for the Lao citizens, undermining their right to access accurate 3.2 Challenges and Cases and diverse news sources. #WhatsHappeningInLaos Web of Control: Internet Service Providers and Mass Surveillance in Lao PDR (Laos) The Lao PDR (Laos) is a single-party state, with the Surveilling Netizens: The 2020 Notice for Mandatory Sim Card Registration by impinging on fundamental rights. In December In June 2020, the Ministry of Posts and out of the 151 votes from the National Assembly. He Telecommunications issued a notice is a former deputy prime minister and investment 24 to Lao people making it mandatory to register all sim cards, and Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) exercising monopoly over every aspect of the country, often 2022, Sonexay Siphandone was nominated as prime minister with an overwhelming majority, winning 149 minister.28 all phone numbers, as a way to surveil Lao people. Lao PDR 123