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Freedom of Speech: Democracy or a Threat to the Country?

Indonesia Media Law Review · Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026)

DOI
10.15294/imrev.v5i1.36595
ISSN
2829-7423, 2829-7628
Published
2026-06-30
Publisher
Universitas Negeri Semarang
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right protected by Indonesia’s Constitution and is an essential component of democratic life. However, its implementation faces serious challenges due to ambiguous laws, such as the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE Law), and the low level of political and digital literacy among citizens. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method using literature review to examine how freedom of speech is practiced in Indonesia and the factors that hinder it within the Pancasila democratic framework. The findings reveal that freedom of speech remains caught between the protection of individual rights and the pursuit of state stability. Misinterpretations of criticism as threats, coupled with repressive legal actions, have limited public expression. In the digital era, social media provides space for public participation but also raises issues of misinformation and hate speech. Therefore, reforms in regulation, improved digital literacy, and stronger civic education are necessary to align freedom of expression with Pancasila values—ensuring that it is exercised ethically, responsibly, and constructively for the advancement of Indonesian democracy.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 90 co-authorship links · 4 across different organisations · showing the 40 most connected

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • State University of Semarang
  • Cenderawasih University
  • Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi
  • Diponegoro University
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Pujiono PujionoAffiliation unknown9
Martitah MartitahAffiliation unknown9
Yuli Prasetyo AdhiAffiliation unknown8
Rini FidiyaniAffiliation unknown3
MUHAMMAD SHIDQON PRABOWOAffiliation unknown3
Yuli Prasetyo AdhiAffiliation unknown3
Mohammad Reza FachruddinAffiliation unknown3
Andry SetiawanAffiliation unknown2
Ivan Bhakti YudistiraAffiliation unknown2
LAGA SUGIARTOAffiliation unknown2
Jafar SidikAffiliation unknown2
Asep RozaliAffiliation unknown2
Rodiyah RodiyahAffiliation unknown2
Abraham AbrahamCenderawasih University2
Windi AgustinAffiliation unknown2
Masyitha Aulia ArifaAffiliation unknown2
Saru ArifinAffiliation unknown2
Rahmawati Mohd. YusoffAffiliation unknown2
Dani MuhtadaAffiliation unknown2
I Made Widia Wirya PutraAffiliation unknown2
Rahmawati Mohd YusoffAffiliation unknown2
Gianefi SafitriDirektorat Jenderal Imigrasi1
SIGIT EKA PRAMONOAffiliation unknown1
NURROHMAH NURROHMAHAffiliation unknown1
RATNA WIDYANINGSIHAffiliation unknown1
Delia PangestiAffiliation unknown1
Muhamad Syahrul ApriliyantoAffiliation unknown1
Khasanah S. L.Affiliation unknown1
Harry NugrohoAffiliation unknown1
Pradita Adila LarasatiAffiliation unknown1
Yuli Prasetyo AdhiDiponegoro University1
Rini FidiyaniState University of Semarang1
Arif HidayatAffiliation unknown1
Hayyu SasviaAffiliation unknown1
Indrayana Chandra KarunaAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/imrev/oai, first harvested 5 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Freedom of Speech: Democracy or a Threat to the Country?</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Arrasheen, Bojezziera Emmet Syaiba Arrasheen</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Maula Inayah </dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Ahmad Dzaki Bagus Andrian</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Alya Dwiana Aufani</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Dewi Sulistianingsih</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Freedom of speech</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Democracy</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">ITE Law</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Human rights</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Pancasila</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Digital literacy</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right protected by Indonesia’s Constitution and is an essential component of democratic life. However, its implementation faces serious challenges due to ambiguous laws, such as the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE Law), and the low level of political and digital literacy among citizens. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method using literature review to examine how freedom of speech is practiced in Indonesia and the factors that hinder it within the Pancasila democratic framework. The findings reveal that freedom of speech remains caught between the protection of individual rights and the pursuit of state stability. Misinterpretations of criticism as threats, coupled with repressive legal actions, have limited public expression. In the digital era, social media provides space for public participation but also raises issues of misinformation and hate speech. Therefore, reforms in regulation, improved digital literacy, and stronger civic education are necessary to align freedom of expression with Pancasila values—ensuring that it is exercised ethically, responsibly, and constructively for the advancement of Indonesian democracy. </dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Negeri Semarang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-06-30</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/imrev/article/view/36595</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15294/imrev.v5i1.36595</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Indonesia Media Law Review; Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): January-June, 2026</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2829-7423</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2829-7628</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/imrev/article/view/36595/10401</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2026 Bojezziera Emmet Syaiba Arrasheen Arrasheen, Maula Inayah , Ahmad Dzaki Bagus Andrian, Alya Dwiana Aufani, Prof. Dr. Dewi Sulistianingsih, S.H., M.H. (Author)</dc:rights>
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