social media



STORY OF THE DAY • May 26, 2023 • 9 min read

Cyberspace Stopping the scroll: Vietnam threatens TikTok ban

By Govi Snell • May 26, 2023
Hanoi has launched an unusually thorough probe of the video-sharing platform's local operations. As authorities brand the app a social ill, concerns loom over both domestic speech restrictions and sovereignty issues with China

STORY OF THE DAY • Mar 16, 2023 • 5 min read

Politics As Indonesia’s elections approach, buzzers jeopardise democracy

By Nisya Kunto • Mar 16, 2023
As the 2024 elections approach in Indonesia, individuals or groups known as buzzers are disseminating content on social media platforms, amidst growing concern that they are polarising opinion and posing a threat to democracy and free speech

Oct 13, 2021 • 5 min read
Thai Monarchy

Thailand’s monarchy becomes a subject for discussion

As the country marks five years since its beloved King Bhumibol died, the Royalist Marketplace is trying to break the taboo on debating the monarchy
By Pavin Chachavalpongpun • Oct 13, 2021

Oct 30, 2019 • 12 min read
Social media

Made in Vietnam

Vietnam's new cybersecurity law has struggled to bring multinational tech companies such as Facebook to heel – but growing investment in local social media alternatives could force their hand
By Evie Breese and Paul Millar • Oct 30, 2019

Jul 23, 2019 • 13 min read
HIV-AIDS in Indonesia

Going viral

HIV remains a serious problem in Indonesia. And as the government's anti-LGBT crackdown drives more and more people in search of answers, misinformation about the disease can prove fatal
By Evie Breese • Jul 23, 2019

Jul 05, 2019 • 10 min read
New media

Creative destruction

We sit down with some of the leading lights of Southeast Asia's media startup scene to talk about the way forward for the region's press
By Thomas Brent • Jul 05, 2019

Apr 04, 2018 • 11 min read
Social Credit System

Who would want a citizen rating system?

Why would China's Big Brother-style social credit system not appeal to Southeast Asia's autocratic leaders. Can they make it a reality?
By Janelle Retka • Apr 04, 2018

Mar 14, 2018 • 10 min read
Exotic wildlife trade

Are we helping illegal animal traffickers?

Southeast Asia has long been a hub for the exotic wildlife trade, but the business is increasingly moving online - where unwitting social media users are playing a part in its proliferation
By Cristyn Lloyd • Mar 14, 2018

Dec 01, 2017 • 5 min read
Indonesia

Twitter’s porn problem

Indonesia’s Twitter obsession has generated great hype, but the social media giant has failed users by not policing the rampant posting of pornography
By Kate Walton • Dec 01, 2017