Just published:

Lim, M. (2023) , in E. Hansson & M. Weiss (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Civil and Uncivil Society in Southeast Asia, pp. 25-44.
#openaccess #free #nopaywall

Abstract:
This chapter offers a historical narrative of the co-evolution of digital media and civil society and provides insights into the implications of changes in the media environment for the realm of politics and the transformation of civil society activism in Southeast Asia. Covering three chronological but overlapping periods spanning from the 1990s to the early 2020s, it presents a historical periodisation that follows technological shifts – notably from the static Internet to blogging to social media – and the political ramifications of these shifts in civil society activism. The chapter highlights the ambivalent role of digital media as space and platform for civic engagement and mobilisation and as an exponent of polarisation, radicalisation, and manipulation.

The entire book, consists of 21 interesting chapters, is available .

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We’re still enjoying our summer break. However, it doesn’t mean nothing’s going on at ALiGN 🙂 We’re busy working on various things, our own research and, of course, the next special issue!

In the meantime, in the last couple months, several publications from ALiGN folks are published. These include:

• Dobson, K. (2019). . In J. Hunsinger, M. M. Allen, & L. Klastrup (Eds.), Second International Handbook of Internet Research, Springer.
• Lim, M. (2019). Cyber-Urban Space. In The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia or Urban and Regional Studies, A. M. Orum (Ed.). []
• Lim, M. (2019). Disciplining Dissent: Freedom, Control, and Digital Activism in Southeast Asia, in R. Padawangi (ed.) Routledge Handbook of Urbanization in Southeast Asia, London: Routledge, pp. 478-494. [Download PDF]
• Woo, B. & Rajani, N. (2019). Comic Book Stores as Sites of Struggle, in , Rutgers University Press.

Also, Nasreen Rajani and Merlyna Lim were featured in the media:

• Lim in CTV News Channel: Protests in Hong Kong primarily going offline, interviewed by Angie Seth.
• Lim in CBC News: Hong Kong protesters go offline to dodge China’s digital surveillance, by Ramona Pringle.
• Rajani in Post<Riposte: Episode 16 – Election Detection: Fighting Fake News and Toxic Politics, by Sherry Aske. /sjc/2019/episode-16-election-detection-fighting-fake-news-and-toxic-politics/

Enjoy!

The post ALiGN Publications & Media Coverage appeared first on ALiGN: Alternative Global Network Media Lab.

 

May 2019

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

MERLYNA LIM

Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Digital Media and Global Network Society

Mobilizing Emotion, Not Knowledge

As Canada prepares for a federal election, Canada Research Chair Professor Merlyna Lim is analyzing how social media users—human and otherwise—are mobilizing emotions rather than facts.

In the months leading up to the Canadian election, Facebook accounts with names like “Trudeau Has Got To Go”, “Overthrow Trudeau”, and Justin Trudeau is an Idiot” focus on ridiculing the Prime Minister.

On the opposite end of the political spectrum are accounts attacking Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, with names such as “Andrew Scheer Is An Idiot”, “Scheer Nonsense”, and “Schmeer 2019”.

Political cartoons and jokes are an age-old tradition. But Communication and Media Studies Professor Merlyna says that in the age of social media, hateful speech and misinformation spreads incredibly quickly—intensifying the polarization within politics.

 

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Merlyna Lim is just awarded Insight Grant from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council for her research project“Cyber-urban Space, Social Media, and Contemporary Social Movements in Southeast Asia”. Please find below an excerpt on this news from the ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University’s Faculty of Public Affairs announcement:

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Merlyna Lim just published a new article titled 

Abstract:

The post “Freedom to hate”, social media and algorithmic enclaves appeared first on ALiGN: Alternative Global Network Media Lab.

Merlyna Lim published “” in Global Media Journal, 2016: 14:27. This article is based on her multi-year research following the making and development of the Bersih electoral reform movement in Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur. The research is part of her project.

The post Malaysian #Bersih Sweeping the Unclean appeared first on ALiGN: Alternative Global Network Media Lab.