Golda Benjamin

Across Southeast Asia, governments are increasingly introducing and implementing rules to regulate online behavior, but in the process are assaulting freedoms of expression, association, and other fundamental rights. While digital spaces allow activists and advocates to advocate effectively, often with less resources required than physical interventions, restrictive laws however have severely limited what people can say online and how they can say it. This session will bring together grassroots activists to share their experiences and reflect on strategies that have or are critical to continuing the work within the context of eroding digital spaces in Asia. They will also highlight the most concerning threats to their work and attempt to identify the support needed from fellow activists and the global community.