The Intelligence from The Economist You don’t say: Indonesia joins Asia’s digital censorship
Jun 9, 2021
Ana Lenkas, a journalist focusing on Central American affairs, shares her expertise on Nicaragua's political landscape under President Daniel Ortega. She discusses how Ortega's regime is intensifying crackdowns on opposition ahead of elections, drawing parallels with Venezuela. The conversation also touches on Indonesia's recent digital censorship laws, revealing a broader pattern of diminished online freedoms in Southeast Asia. Lenkas highlights the precarious balance between government control and individual expression in these regions.
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Digital Censorship in Southeast Asia
- Southeast Asian governments use laws on treason, blasphemy, and sedition to control online speech.
- Indonesia, despite being the region's largest democracy, joined this trend with new censorship legislation.
Indonesia's MR5 Law
- Indonesia's Ministerial Regulation Number 5 (MR5) combats misinformation and disinformation online to protect the country.
- Critics argue it primarily protects the government due to vague wording, impacting online platforms and media.
Prohibited Content and Past Actions
- MR5's definition of prohibited content is vague, raising concerns about potential misuse.
- Past actions indicate the government's interest in removing content critical of it, like during the 2019 Jakarta riots.