Cyber Democracy

The possibility of our government snooping on us using malicious malware, and allegedly behind high profile arrests and assassinations, are some of the most explosive revelations of our times brought to us in the Pegasus investigations. Government spyware technology, however, has been a commonplace feature in theatres of warlike Kashmir and the Northeast. National security expert Bibhu Prasad Routray and Manipur based investigative journalist, Paojel Chaoba talk to us about old school snooping and modern-day surveillance.

As India makes a big push for a complete digital switchover of our lives from biometrics, voting rights, banks and online transactions, access to the internet in several parts remain erratic and inequitable.

In this episode of Cyber Democracy, activist Nonibala Narengbam and educationist Kopele Mero talk to us about these inequalities in Manipur and Nagaland, respectively.

In this episode, we look at how people in the Northeast region have experienced harassment in the form of trolling, abuses and threats by unapologetically being themselves online. From facing backlash for posting a photo, expressing an opinion contrary to popular belief or group think and/or receiving unsolicited lewd messages, invites and photos - political activist Angellica Aribram and Shillong based social activist, Angela Rangad talk about their experiences.

In this episode, we delve into freedom of expression, an issue fraught with several complexities in a place like the Northeast. In a region that is erratically covered by the national and international media, social media has become the great equaliser in informing the world about what’s happening in the Northeast.

It is also the most accessible space to express dissent. Veteran journalist and Editor in Chief of The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim and Imphal based journalist, Kishorchandra Wangkhem in conversation with Guwahati based journalist Makepeace Sitlhou. 

In this episode of Cyber Democracy, Host Radhika Radhakrishnan spoke to author, artist and storyteller, Indu Harikumar about digital violence and privacy invasions within intimate relationships. What does such violence look like? How do people experience it? How do they respond to it?