The Probe Media Foundation Inc. (PMFI) partnered with the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM), TrustLaw, Thomson Reuters Foundation, and SyCip Law to co-organize a workshop entitled "Creating Public Interest Content: Legal, Digital and Civic Space Challenges Across Southeast Asia” at the ASEAN People’s Forum last October 28, 2026.
Civil society across Southeast Asia operates in a complex, increasingly restrictive environment, where laws often silence public-interest voices rather than protect democratic participation.
The workshop by CCIM, TrustLaw and PMFI underscored the need to strengthen protections for freedom of expression, review and reform laws that enable the misuse of criminal defamation and other restrictive provisions, and champion inclusive civic participation.
The talks highlighted the opportunities, challenges, especially legal risks, and ways forward for organizations and individuals that communicate publicly. Criminal defamation, vaguely defined national security offenses, and other legal mechanisms continue to threaten those that create content, publish online, engage communities, or advocate for social change.
Discussions with workshop participants underscored the need to build legal resilience by understanding the legal frameworks that govern their work and regularly reviewing their governance, employment, data protection, and content publication practices. Equally important is ensuring that information, training resources, and digital content are accessible and inclusive, including for vulnerable people and persons with disabilities.
Use the links or QR codes to download a copy of the Guide to Criminal Defamation in Southeast Asia by PMFI and Trustlaw and the CCIM Study on Citizen Journalism.
The ASEAN Civil Society Conference/People's Forum was held in Manila, Philippines, from 27 to 29 October 2026. The forum brought together about 800 participants from 11 countries across the region, including CSOs, grassroots movements, trade unions, Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and organizations representing persons with disabilities.
