Asian Values Discourses and Its Impact on Freedom of Expression in Social Media

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15294/iccle.v7i3.26869

Keywords:

Asian values, Freedom of expression, Human rights discourses, Shrinking civic space

Abstract

This study originates from the discourse on social media regarding a set of Asian cultural values that often conflict with universal human rights principles. These values, recognized in human rights studies as Asian values, are seen in various studies as intertwined with threats to human rights. Therefore, this study aims to uncover the forms of discourse surrounding Asian values on social media and their potential impact on freedom of expression. Based on these issues, this research employs a non-doctrinal method, which examines law within various  extra-legal  contexts, to  explore  the  discourse of Asian values emerging on social media—especially on the 'X' platform—and its relationship with political and religious expression on social media. The study reveals that the tendency of Asian values to support authoritarianism also extends to social media. Various expressions are then labeled as uncivil and contrary to Indonesian culture. This situation leads Asian values to act as a trigger for the shrinking of civil space on social media.

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Published

2025-11-17

Article ID

26869