Category Archives: media

A Decade of Blogging for Global Voices

By admin | October 7, 2016

Written for the Global Voices Community Page When I joined Global Voices in 2006, my aim was only to blog the underreported stories from the Philippines. Ten years and 3,000 posts later, I’m still with Global Voices; writing stories not just about my country, but also about the Southeast Asian region. I used the word […]

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Behind Cambodia’s Social Media War

By admin | April 29, 2016

Over the past few weeks, there has been a focus in Cambodia on what one might call an ongoing social media war between the ruling party and its opposition. The Facebook page of the current Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, who has governed the country for more than three decades, now has more than 3 […]

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Politics and internet in the age of self-representation

By admin | March 28, 2016

Written for Bulatlat The selfie is both derided and hailed as a popular form of self-expression; but politically-speaking, what does it really signify? The ‘butterfly effect’ reminds us that a flap of a butterfly’s wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. Applied to the taking of selfies, perhaps it is […]

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What our people need: Food, not free wi-fi

By admin | December 31, 2015

Written for Bulatlat Since Internet connectivity is equated with modernity and innovation, it is no surprise to see politicians providing free Wi-Fi to their constituents. National agencies and local government units are scrambling to provide free online services while prospective election candidates are already promising to expand free Wi-Fi connections in their territories. In Manila […]

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Malay Pride Rally Stokes Race Politics in Malaysia

By admin | September 24, 2015

Written for The Diplomat More than 250 licensed non-government organizations in Malaysia are planning to mobilize 30,000 people on September 16 to protect and promote Maruah Melayu (Malay dignity). The event also aims to show support for the beleaguered leadership of Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is being implicated in a corruption scandal. The event […]

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Internet access and censorship in Southeast Asia

By admin | March 22, 2015

Published interview with EngageMedia: 1. Could you describe the work of your organisation? Global Voices is a citizen media platform that highlights the perspectives and stories of ordinary people, especially those that are not often reported in mainstream media. Our volunteers translate, curate, and explain local narratives as we seek a better understanding of our […]

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Confessions of a Blogger Who Doesn’t Use a Smartphone for Mobile Internet

By admin | March 19, 2015

Published by Manila Today I have a cell phone which I use for calling, texting, and taking photos. Sometimes it’s also my alarm clock. That’s all. I never use my phone to download apps or interact with my virtual networks because I don’t have an Internet subscription. Even if there’s a WiFi connection, I rarely […]

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Southeast Asian Laws That Ought to Be Repealed in 2015

By admin | January 18, 2015

Written for The Diplomat Singapore’s anti-gay sex law, Malaysia’s Sedition Act, Thailand’s anti-royal insult law (lèse majesté), Philippine libel law, Vietnam’s media regulation laws, Brunei’s Sharia law – all these notorious laws made news this year and they ought to be reviewed, if not outright repealed, in 2015. Section 377A of the Singapore Penal Code […]

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Cartoons as Social Commentary and How Our Animated Heroes Reproduce Conservative Values in Society

By admin | December 13, 2014

Published by Manila Today Cartoons do not merely entertain, they also instruct and influence the emotion and thinking of children and adults alike. Even governments sometimes ban cartoons for transmitting messages they deem harmful, subversive, and inappropriate for public viewing. For Filipino kids who grew up in the 1970s, they learned the meaning of Martial […]

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Laos’ Internet Law Undermines Free Speech

By admin | November 25, 2014

Written for The Diplomat The government of Laos has signed an Internet law that claims to support the growth of the Internet but actually contains numerous contradictory provisions that undermine free speech and other citizen rights. When this was reported almost two months ago, the concern of many was the broad and vague cybercrimes enumerated […]

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