Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom: Digital Speech in Malaysia

Asian Journal of Comparative Law, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2006

Posted: 27 Jul 2006

See all articles by Hang Wu Tang

Hang Wu Tang

Singapore Management University - School of Law

Abstract

The thesis of this paper is that in some societies blogs are beginning to act as a force for democratization and perform the role of being an alternative form of media. Blogging amplifies the cultural and participatory elements of free speech by enabling more people to take part in the spread of ideas and the dissemination of information. By publishing online, bloggers not only route around prohibitive financial hurdles to media production but also overcome some laws that restrict freedom of expression. This essay focuses on a Malaysian case study of bloggers who are now a formidable force in disseminating information and promoting a democratic culture in the country despite laws that restrict free speech in the country. This essay also reflects on the salient lessons gleaned from the Malaysian experience which might be relevant to the project of constructing a successful blogging scene in the Middle East and other authoritarian or soft-authoritarian regimes.

Keywords: free speech, Internet, Asia, democracy, blogs, culture

Suggested Citation

Tang, Hang Wu, Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom: Digital Speech in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Comparative Law, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=919581

Hang Wu Tang (Contact Author)

Singapore Management University - School of Law ( email )

55 Armenian Street
Singapore, 179943
Singapore

HOME PAGE: http://law.smu.edu.sg/directory/tang-hang-wu

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