Call for Contributions : Navigating Digital Power in Asia
Governments in Asia are enacting online regulations without meaningful debate about their broader implications, particularly in relation to fundamental rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information.
Digital government services are being built and deployed often without privacy and safety considerations. Opportunities for public consultation and dialogue are limited or non-existent.
There is also a growing concern about the securitisation of disinformation and encryption, and the weaponisation of regulations and technologies by governments, military, and intelligence agencies to control content, suppress dissent, and monitor citizens.
This digital power can be amplified through partnerships between state actors and global and local tech corporations, enabling more efficient and comprehensive surveillance and manipulation of digital spaces, and creating systems where state and corporate interests converge. This consolidation of power not only threatens the fundamental rights of citizens and marginalised communities but also suppresses the emergence of independent tech alternatives, further undermining diversity and democratic principles.

We are seeking contributions that investigate digital power and its impacts, and explore independent tech initiatives and strategies that resist digital authoritarianism. A honorarium fee of $200 (USD) is available for selected work.
We encourage engaging, outside-the-box, and thought-provoking pieces that connect with readers and provoke reflection and action.
We are open to your ideas, and as a guide, here are type of contributions we are interested in:
- Ways in which digital platforms and technologies are extending state and corporate control over online and offline spaces, influencing behaviour, and curbing civic freedoms.
- Case studies or insights into how digital technologies are being used for surveillance, influence, control, and suppression.
- Convergence of corporate, state, military interests in tech.
- Platforms’ and tech companies’ ambiguous roles in control.
- Digital colonisation / authoritarianism.
- Independent and alternative technologies and their potential to protect rights.
- Ways of resisting and pushing back against digital power.
Geographic Focus
The contributions should relate to a country or countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Target Audience
This collection of work is aimed at a broad audience. They include activists and civil society leaders, educators and researchers, policy makers and funders, and others concerned with the shrinking digital space for civic and democratic participation, and curious to know about the digital power landscape in Asia.
Pitch Your Idea
If you are interested in making a contribution, please complete the pitch form by clicking on the button below, or directly here. We’ll be in touch with you soon. Thank you!