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As part of the efforts to control the flow of information, the crackdown on independent media was under taken in post-coup Myanmar. As of 2023, at least 14 independent media licenses have been revoked by the junta 210, while pro-military media outlets including Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM) and Thazin FM continue to spread propaganda. In 2023, GNLM media started its “fact-check” program, which mainly debunks news from independent media. Thazin FM, on the other hand, broadcasts its program, Public Voices Among Public, every Wednesday to amplify the pro-junta messages211. Pro-junta media channels often claim that the problems that worsen people’s lives are caused by the resistance forces, including the National Unity Government212. Meanwhile, Telegram has emerged as an important channel for the military to disseminate propaganda through pro-junta chat groups. The transition began after Facebook blocked the page of junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, and other military affiliated accounts following the genocide against the Rohingya ethnic group in 2017. Over 120 pro-junta Telegram channels reportedly exist as of 2023, operating as 210 211 212 213 214 215 a coordinated network, which spews hate speech, and call for arrests of junta-critics that they accuse of various offenses 213. Among the pro-military channels on Telegram that support the junta are the channels of Han Nyein Oo, Thazin Oo, Sergeant Phoe Si, and Kyaw Swar. 4. Threats Against Critics and Political Opposition According to the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners, at least 25,830 people have been arrested after the military seized power in 2021. Out of this number, 19,930 people are still in detention, with 8,503 serving sentences as of January 2024214. At the end of 2023, at least 4,273 people, including pro-democracy activists and civilians, have been killed by the military and its affiliated forces since the coup215. Threats against critics and political opponents by the Myanmar military have taken various forms. Many have been arrested due to their participation in pro-democracy activism both offline and online, including participating in online pro-democracy “Myanmar Junta Revokes Anti-coup Movement Publisher’s License.” Radio Free Asia, 11 Sept. 2023, www. rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/publisher-loses-license-09112023055827.html. “Junta Expands Use of Radio Shows, Telegram App to Boost Propaganda.” Radio Free Asia, 12 Nov. 2023, www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/junta-media-11092023135703.html. Ibid. “Pro-Myanmar Junta Telegram Channels Prey on Public With Threats of Exposure, Extortion.” The Irrawaddy, 21 Nov. 2023, www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/pro-myanmar-junta-telegram-channels-prey-on-publicwith-threats-of-exposure-extortion.html. “Daily Briefing in Relation to the Military Coup.” Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 17 Jan. 2024, aappb.org/?p=27184. “Daily Briefing in Relation to the Military Coup.” Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 29 Dec. 2023, aappb.org/?p=27048. 62

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

Report

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Language

English

Topic

Digital Rights
Digital Surveillance
Information Operation
Internet Connectivity / Accessibility
Internet Restrictions

Author(s)

DigitalReach

Date Published: Aug 6, 2024

Abstract: It is undeniable that information technology has significantly impacted human rights and democracy these days. Different governments around Southeast Asia continually attempt to control digital space through, for example, using repressive laws and regulations, forcing social media platforms to follow their orders, and using spyware and similar technology to surveil critics. In Southeast Asia, democracy and human rights have deteriorated because of these attempts, especially for countries under authoritarian regimes.

In order to better understand the situation, DigitalReach publishes annual reports to present and analyze the events and trends around the region. The 2023 annual report analyzes the digital rights situation in eight countries across Southeast Asia—namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam–from January 2023 to December 2023, with glimpses of key updates into 2024, given the timing of its release.

The report format has been changed completely from the previous years. In order to more systematically present the developments observed, the report is organized into three key areas: (1) Legal and Policy Developments, (2) Information Control and Manipulation, and (3) Threats Against Critics and Political Opposition.

From a regional perspective, legal and policy developments in countries that are known to restrict human rights are still mainly about using or coming up with new policies to further suppress human rights in the digital sphere. Countries considered to be more democratic also attempt to change or repeal their laws, but still without a clear sign of improvement toward digital rights.

In terms of information control and manipulation, social media platforms continue to be deployed for political ends, with different platforms serving a specific purpose for each country. The shift toward short video format, TikTok in particular, continued from 2022 to contribute toward information disorder, especially during election periods. The use of video shorts is important when targeting young voters, who played an important role in determining election results in Thailand and Indonesia this year like they did in the Philippines and Malaysia in 2022. State-sponsored cyber armies were also documented, while some governments preferred to assert more effective control of social media platforms. Other important methods related to the flow of information include suppression of media freedom and internet disruptions, which are particularly severe in Myanmar following the 2021 coup.

Judicial harassment is a key form of threat used against critics and political opposition in 2023. It is still common for people in Southeast Asia to be thrown in jail for what they say or do online. Others who do not subscribe to the government’s ideology face online harassment from state-sponsored cyber armies or government supporters. In terms of surveillance, 5 out of 8 countries included in this report have been found to have or are likely to have spyware technology.

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2023-Annual-Report-FINAL-1.pdf
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Myanmar Internet Project

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Annual Report: Digital Rights in Southeast Asia 2023-2024

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