Digital Asia

The latest Perspectives Asia edition covers the prozess of digitalization in Asia with contributions from all across the continent. Our online special presents all the articles with an additional podcast.

Introduction

Over the last years, Asia has undergone an impressive digital transformation. Large parts of the continent have turned from the world’s factory into a creative industry. Digitalization has become a driving force of social and economic change. This certainly means more opportunities for innovation and growth for many countries. However, on the flipside, if new technologies are in the wrong hands they can also be used as a mean to abuse power.

By Fabian Heppe

Is digitalization a blessing or a curse for our environment? Geographer Michael Reckordt from the German NGO PowerShift talks about the impacts especially for Asia.

two boy are playing smartphone in Jakarta

The curious case of vox populi 2.0: ASEAN’s complicated romance with social media

Social media in ASEAN has quickly evolved from being a passive tool for knowledge consumption and entertainment to an active mechanism for change.

By Joel Mark Baysa Barredo and Jose Santos P. Ardivilla

Picture from "Support Panzagar: End Hate Speech with Flower Speech"

Aadhaar: the Indian biometric ID system has potential but presents many concerns

The Indian national identity system, Aadhaar, was set up to empower disadvantaged groups and enable digital innovation. However, it has sparked protests.

By Sushil Kambampati

Open Season for Professional Media?

Journalists sued for espionage in Cambodia, and for using drones or supposedly violating the official secrets act in Myanmar. News outlets faced with financial penalties steep enough to cause them to go under, as it did in Cambodia. Media organizations in the Philippines repeatedly described as ‘fake news’ outlets by government officials chafing at critical reporting.

By Johanna Son

Time for a Pushback in Media Spaces

Digital, online and social-media avenues undoubtedly offer an alternative or complementary channel for news, because of the inherent difficulty in censoring these spaces. Their wide reach and levels of engagement have saved lives during disasters or emergencies.

Now already over 50 years old, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) holds an important role regionally and beyond when it comes to major political and economic developments. However, ASEAN does not live up to this role yet.

Further issues of Perspectives Asia

Perspectives Asia: Politics of Food

Food is a highly political issue. Nowhere is this more true than in Asia. This publication seeks to illustrate some conflicting issues in the field of food and nutrition. The contributions highlight a selection of fields, where political action is needed to ensure that there is enough food on people's plate, which is also healthy and nutritious.

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Perspectives Asia: The Gender Issue

In this edition of Perspectives Asia, the authors highlight certain aspects of gender relations and offer some very personal insights into the situations of women and men in Asia.

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Perspectives Asia: A Continent on the Move

Asia, the world’s most populous continent, has been undergoing a dramatic transformation. Globalization and new technologies are leading millions of people out of poverty. At the same time thousands have to leave their country. A continent on the move.

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All issues of Perspectives Asia

Digital Asia

Introduction

The curious case of vox populi 2.0: ASEAN’s complicated romance with social media

Halfway there: Myanmar’s difficult transition toward freedom of expression

How social media is changing Afghan society

Re-thinking media reform in Southeast Asia: promoting a participatory approach

App-learning on Khmer Rouge history: an internet-based multimedia application

Pakistan’s cybercrime law: boon or bane?

“Restricting women’s space on the internet is a violation of their rights”

IT giants in China: a tough business