Blog

Human rights defenders (HRDs) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) are working amidst a backdrop of rising authoritarianism and shrinking civic spaces. The expansion of surveillance and censorship regimes, exacerbated by AI and emerging technology, threatens the safety and security of human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and marginalised groups and their capability to exercise fundamental rights online. EngageMedia has been critical in building movements in South and Southeast Asia to help counter digital authoritarianism and democratic backsliding.