The exception to the general embrace of information and communication technology (ICT) development has consistently been Burma. The country’s largest ICT development at Yadanabon City, supported by foreign investment and set to serve as the
national backbone connecting to China, India, and Thailand, is currently under construction near Mandalay. 12 However, the military government under the State Peace
and Development Council (SPDC) was responsible for one of the most severe crackdowns on the Internet documented. On September 29, 2007, in order to cut off the
stream of footage and images of its violent response to stopping protests led by monks
and civilians, the SPDC made use of its comprehensive control over the country’s
Internet gateways to completely shut down Internet access (with intermittent periods
of connectivity) for approximately two weeks. 13 The government also restricts upload
speeds to half the download speeds for Internet subscribers and frequently implements
slowdowns in Internet access speeds, which many critics claim are attempts to restrict
Internet usage and enhance monitoring capabilities. 14
The increasing popularity of interactive Web sites and social media platforms such as
video-sharing sites, Web portals, discussion forums, and blogs has enabled them to
have a resounding impact in Asia. By facilitating the easy production and sharing of
user-generated content, online social media have served as important vehicles for
news dissemination and independent expression, especially in countries where mainstream media are state controlled or closely aligned with ruling interests. For example,
bloggers have been named the ‘‘fifth estate’’ in Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and China, whose governments maintain strict control over most news and
media outlets. In Malaysia, independent news sites and blogs were credited with providing opposition parties with a platform to mobilize during the March 2008 general
elections, in which the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition had its worst showing
ever and five bloggers were elected to seats for opposition parties. 15 Though Internet
penetration lags in rural areas (representing 15 percent of households with Internet
access), 16 alternative messages and information available only online reached beyond
young, middle class, and urban voters through short-message-service (SMS) messages,
video compact discs (VCDs) of online television programming, and printed fliers. 17 The
only media organization to provide live coverage of election results, Malaysiakini.com,
has reportedly become the country’s most popular alternative news source and was
one of about ten of the first online news sites granted media accreditation in July
2008. 18
In November 2007, President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan declared a state of emergency and shut down the country’s independent broadcast media, including news,
sports, and entertainment television stations. 19 In response, these stations went online
and offered free broadcasts on their Web sites, while YouTube became the vehicle for
lawyers, journalists, and activists to post footage of protests and other news. 20
Asia Overview
411
national backbone connecting to China, India, and Thailand, is currently under construction near Mandalay. 12 However, the military government under the State Peace
and Development Council (SPDC) was responsible for one of the most severe crackdowns on the Internet documented. On September 29, 2007, in order to cut off the
stream of footage and images of its violent response to stopping protests led by monks
and civilians, the SPDC made use of its comprehensive control over the country’s
Internet gateways to completely shut down Internet access (with intermittent periods
of connectivity) for approximately two weeks. 13 The government also restricts upload
speeds to half the download speeds for Internet subscribers and frequently implements
slowdowns in Internet access speeds, which many critics claim are attempts to restrict
Internet usage and enhance monitoring capabilities. 14
The increasing popularity of interactive Web sites and social media platforms such as
video-sharing sites, Web portals, discussion forums, and blogs has enabled them to
have a resounding impact in Asia. By facilitating the easy production and sharing of
user-generated content, online social media have served as important vehicles for
news dissemination and independent expression, especially in countries where mainstream media are state controlled or closely aligned with ruling interests. For example,
bloggers have been named the ‘‘fifth estate’’ in Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and China, whose governments maintain strict control over most news and
media outlets. In Malaysia, independent news sites and blogs were credited with providing opposition parties with a platform to mobilize during the March 2008 general
elections, in which the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition had its worst showing
ever and five bloggers were elected to seats for opposition parties. 15 Though Internet
penetration lags in rural areas (representing 15 percent of households with Internet
access), 16 alternative messages and information available only online reached beyond
young, middle class, and urban voters through short-message-service (SMS) messages,
video compact discs (VCDs) of online television programming, and printed fliers. 17 The
only media organization to provide live coverage of election results, Malaysiakini.com,
has reportedly become the country’s most popular alternative news source and was
one of about ten of the first online news sites granted media accreditation in July
2008. 18
In November 2007, President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan declared a state of emergency and shut down the country’s independent broadcast media, including news,
sports, and entertainment television stations. 19 In response, these stations went online
and offered free broadcasts on their Web sites, while YouTube became the vehicle for
lawyers, journalists, and activists to post footage of protests and other news. 20
Asia Overview
411