Digitalisation and Democracy in Asia

The UI Podcast

Digitalisation impacts political processes in ambiguous ways across Asia. Digital messenger services enable grassroots mobilisation, but can also cause violence. Political parties campaign on social media, and use the same platforms to harass their opponents. Political operators analyses big data to reach groups less inclined to vote, but also to sway opinions through disinformation. In addition increased online surveillance and proposed regulations to restrict Internet use in the name of national security are of concern to local civil societies. This seminar will particularly highlight experiences from India and Myanmar. Speakers: Parama Sinha Palit is affiliated with the Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore as an Adjunct Senior Fellow in the South Asia Programme. She is also affiliated with the Swedish South Asian Studies Network (SASNET). Elsa Hedling is an Associate Research Fellow at the Europe Programme, UI and Visiting Research Fellow at the Department of Political Science, Lund University. Sarah Schulman is an Associate Fellow at the Asia Programme, UI and PhD Candidate, Lund University. Moderator: Henrik Chetan Aspengren, Research Fellow, UI. The seminar was enabled by the financial support of SIDA through Forum Syd.