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As with Day 1 of the Asia-Pacific Digital Rights Forum, participants will again be able to choose two of six sessions led by changemakers in academia, research, media, and civil society. All breakouts will be conducted online, with English as the primary language. During the closing plenary, rapporteurs will be invited to share discussion highlights with the broader group.
Timeslot 1: 11:30AM-12:30PM Bangkok time (UTC+7)
Breakout Session 7 – Online Media Freedom & Censorship in Asia
Media freedom backslid in Asia especially at the height of the pandemic, as governments restricted free speech to curtail health-related disinformation. Majority of Southeast Asian countries languished in press freedom rankings, reflecting both the growing turn to authoritarianism and the disastrous impact of disinformation in online spaces.
Speakers:
- Md. Saimum Talukder, lawyer, human rights defender, and senior lecturer at the School of Law in BRAC University, Bangladesh
- Ellen Tordesillas, investigative journalist and co-founder of Vera Files, an independent media organisation in the Philippines
Breakout Session 8 – Challenging Big Tech
The Internet today is largely controlled by a hegemony of giant companies that control so much of people’s online lives, but largely escape accountability for the dangers that their platforms facilitate. However, there have been more initiatives for independent and open-source platforms to present people with more rights-respecting alternatives.
Speakers:
- Sam de Silva, Engagement Advisor of the OPTF, a not-for-profit that supports and builds secure, privacy-enhancing technologies and conducts research on digital rights issues
- Malavika Rajkumar, Project Associate for IT for Change, a Bengaluru-based non-profit working at the intersection of technology and society
- Elonnai Hickok, Managing Director, Global Network Initiative
Breakout Session 9 – Youth Engagement on Digital Rights
Through digital platforms, young people can access information and exercise their rights to free speech. But these platforms can also risk their safety and privacy. How can the youth be more involved in ensuring digital spaces protect their rights?
Speaker:
- Sarah Torres, co-founder of Out of The Box Media Literacy Initiative which works to mainstream media literacy practices in the Philippines
- Teguh Aprianto, Founder, Ethical Hacker Indonesia
- Saritha Irugalbandara, Social Media Analyst – Gender and Sexuality, Hashtag Generation
Timeslot 2: 1:30-2:30PM Bangkok time (UTC+7)
Breakout Session 10 – Digital Labour Situation in the Asia-Pacific
The pandemic has fueled the growth of digital labour platforms. But while this presents opportunities for workers and businesses, there are challenges in ensuring that workers are afforded labour protections.
Speakers:
- Parminder Jeet Singh, Executive Director at IT for Change. His work areas are ICTs for development, internet governance, e-governance, and digital economy.
- Sunniva Sandbukt, Assistant Professor at the IT-University of Copenhagen. Her research interests include digital payments, automation, and labour.
- Donhathai “Wow” Sutassanamarlee, Senior Consultant in the Business & Economic Development team at Kenan Foundation Asia
Breakout Session 11 – Introduction to Digital Safety
With increased reliance on the internet, more people are exposed to various digital dangers lurking online. From phishing to online harassment, these threats can target anyone. Good digital safety practices are key to minimising potential harms.
Speakers:
- Shinte Galeshka, Digital Security Specialist at Access Now Digital Security Helpline Service
- Darika Bamrungchok, Program Manager at Thai Netizen Network, a non-profit organisation that advocates for digital rights
- Ba Hein, youth advocate and formerly EngageMedia’s Digital Rights Coordinator for Myanmar
Breakout Session 12 – Open and Secure Technology Focus Group Discussion
Human rights defenders are increasingly targeted by state surveillance. Using open and secure technology can help reduce the risks, but these technologies are not as widely used. This focus group discussion explores this issue and how changemakers can work more securely and ethically.
Learn more about the keynote panels
Learn more about the Day 1 Breakout Sessions
Join the Asia-Pacific Digital Rights Forum
To sign up for the forum and join these breakout sessions, register for an account on Forum.EngageMedia.org.
- Create your account by filling out the form here.
- Complete your profile information.
- Select from our various sessions on Days 1 to 3 and save your sessions.
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