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The dialogue, held as part of DRAPAC25, highlighted AI governance initiatives in Indonesia and Malaysia and civil society recommendations to safeguard public interest in the use of AI systems.

EngageMedia is providing extended impact campaign support to four filmmakers from across two editions of Tech Tales Youth. Following a competitive selection process, these filmmakers—from the Philippines and Thailand edition (2023-2024) and the Bangladesh and Malaysia edition (2024-2025)—have each been awarded an additional USD 1,000 to deepen their community engagement and digital rights advocacy work.

Hai Anis, by Azura Nasron, is not just a film. It is a warning. A refusal to look away. A confrontation with a truth too many refuse to acknowledge: that grooming does not begin with violence—it begins with kindness.

For filmmaker Intan Sakinah, stories hold the power to unravel prejudice. Her film A Jar of Light (Balang Terang), part of Tech Tales Youth 2, takes a critical look at how racial bias spreads in digital spaces and its tangible consequences in the real world.

Day 3 of EngageMedia's workshop delved into the latest developments in AI governance globally and policy initiatives in Indonesia and Malaysia.

EngageMedia is seeking qualified research associates from Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to contribute to a comparative analysis of environmental information control regimes in Asia-Pacific.

One hour is all it takes—that's how little time it takes for a predator to infiltrate a child's world. Social media becomes a tool for manipulation, a window into the lives of the vulnerable. But the question that remains unanswered—or perhaps one that many lack the courage to confront—is this: How do we start a conversation about something shrouded in silence while the very idea of grooming, sexual harassment, and child exploitation is still considered taboo4 in Malaysia?

Against the backdrop of deteriorating internet freedom across the region, attendees collaborated to share knowledge, build skills, and develop strategies for digital resilience. The vibrant exchange of ideas revealed several interconnected themes that highlighted both the challenges facing the regional digital rights community and the creative, community-led responses emerging to address them.

The latest edition of Tech Tales Youth showcases powerful stories about digital rights from Malaysia and Bangladesh, produced by young filmmakers.