In this 10-part series, EngageMedia and CommonEdge have invited 10 changemakers to respond to the current “pandemic of control” in the Asia-Pacific, amid growing digital authoritarianism that has only accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a new digital authoritarianism has taken hold amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a great necessity to re-invigorate human rights and civil liberties. Addressing this will be EngageMedia’s key focus in 2022, through our various projects on digital rights, open and secure technology, and Video for Change.
EngageMedia Executive Director Andrew Lowenthal shares the idea behind the Tech Tales film collection, and what these digital rights films aim to achieve.
Co-founder and outgoing Executive Director Andrew Lowenthal shares his thoughts on EngageMedia’s mission and the importance of carrying it forward into the next chapter.
In the December 2020 issue of ASEANFocus, EngageMedia Co-Founder and Executive Director Andrew Lowenthal underlines the need for government policy change and civil society advocacy to protect digital privacy. The article, republished here in full, is one of ten articles that tackle digitalisation in Southeast Asia.
2020 has been enormously challenging across the Asia-Pacific, including in most of the countries where EngageMedia works. We have, however, been very fortunate in many other respects, and our contributions to video for change, open and secure technology, and digital rights have been modest, but significant.
This past week, we at EngageMedia have been busy ensuring the safety of our staff and affiliates in the countries we work: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Australia.
EngageMedia turns 15 and we thank those who have supported us all these years. We also thank the brave changemakers who fight for and defend our rights.
We look forward to having you on this journey with us, asking and answering some critical questions: Is using non-corporate social media a viable way to attract audiences and create impact? Can changemakers succeed without relying on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? Let’s find out together.
