active · Governance· Education

Digital Rights Movement Building in South and Southeast Asia 2024-2027

EngageMedia is a non-profit organisation which promotes digital rights, open and secure technology, and social issue documentary. Combining video, technology, knowledge, and networks, EngageMedia supports Asia-Pacific and global changemakers advocating for human rights, democracy, and the environment. In collaboration with diverse networks and communities, EngageMedia defends and advances digital rights. The proposed budget is total US$ 2,166,100, approximately SEK 23,000,000 for 3 year programmes - Year 1 US$660,642, Year 2 US$745,666, and Year 3 US$759,791. EngageMedia's analysis shows that the human rights community in the Asia-Pacific is working amidst a backdrop of large-scale disinformation, rising authoritarianism, intensified surveillance, increased censorship, and surging violent extremism, all exacerbated by advancing unregulated machine learning, increasing weaponization of cyber laws, and weakening democratic institutions. These issues were emphasized across EngageMedia's range of initiatives. To counter digital authoritarianism and the closure of civic spaces, EngageMedia seeks support to contribute to: 1) Greater freedoms for change-seekers, change-makers and filmmakers for climate justice and digital rights; 2) Greater understanding for civil society organizations (CSOs) to engage in public policy development, particularly in countering disinformation, platform accountability, and AI governance; 3) Greater solidarity among digital rights CSOs; and 4) Greater security for human rights defenders through the adoption and development of open and secure technologies. EngageMedia also requests support to develop and implement an updated strategy for 2026-2028 that would position EngageMedia to be more effective and optimal in addressing significant challenges and issues in South and Southeast Asia.