Overview

The ASEAN region has actively adopted modern communication technology, but there is variation across the region (Figure 1.4.1). A significant portion of the population jumped straight from landlines to smartphones. Nonetheless, the lower income countries in the region are more likely to access the world of modern communication through 2G or 3G, while 4G may be far more readily available in the high-income countries.

Source: World Bank (2020)

ASEAN regards communication technologies as a key method for reaching out to new audiences, particularly young people. The Communications Master Plan highlights one of its three key messages as ‘ASEAN has its own identity and we are stronger together‘ (ASEAN, 2019a). Social media outreach has been an important channel for providing information about ASEAN, and the presence of online platforms could democratise the process of identity construction (Barter, 2020).

Key Findings

Focussing solely on technology for data collection leads to an over-representation of people in certain locations (urban) and age cohorts (young people). There is a need to use a range of methods to ensure a representation of all ages through public consultations.

Harness new technological platforms to foster communication between people (especially minority groups) as a means of deepening public engagement beyond elite and urban groups.

While a common language is important for regional integration, the importance given to English and national languages in schools has social implications that affect conceptions of identity. There is a need to ensure that local languages will continue to flourish.

Top-down efforts to enhance connectivity and improve infrastructure do not promote inclusivity and participation. Rather, that have focussed on the city (i.e., sustainable urban futures that are linked to sustainable rural futures). Moving towards a participatory consultative approach that allows the harnessing local voices across a wide range of stakeholders, (across gender, age, and location), will ensure a more inclusive design of a communication policy across the region.

Policy Implications

Implementing representative methods to collect data on identity perceptions is key. While there are a number of policy interventions that are designed to improve access to public services, these are often top-down processes that do not use participatory methods to incorporate the requirements of all citizens. A core pillar for inclusion would be to bring households and communities in specific localities into the development arena.

A process of consultation on the economic, social, and cultural needs of communities in rural, urban, and peri-urban locations is necessary to obtain more comprehensive people-centric perspectives on the impact of public communication on ASEAN policy making.

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