Power interplay among actors in the governance of Indonesian film and digital content censorship policy

Abstract

This study uses Indonesia as a case study to examine the complicated relationship between state and non-state actors in film and digital content censorship. As film, television, and digital content grow, censorship has become a crucial governance instrument to manage cultural and moral standards. At the same time, creative industries and civic society are challenging restrictive rules to promote free speech. The research employs stakeholder analysis, grounded in Ackermann and Eden’s stakeholder identification theory, to explore actor configurations, interests, and influence within the policy process. Using qualitative methods—primarily in-depth interviews and FGD the study identified 18 stakeholder groups, including regulatory bodies, industry associations, civil society organisations, and community actors. Key findings show that the Indonesian Film Censorship Board (LSF) and Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) dominate film certification and broadcast content. LSF operations are also supervised by the Ministry of Culture. Government institutions have more power than industry and civil society, according to stakeholder mapping. The study found continuous contradictions between regulatory control and popular demand for creative space in Indonesia’s censorship environment. The stakeholder matrix adds a new empirical dimension to Southeast Asian media governance studies. It emphasizes the necessity for inclusive, transparent, and participatory censorship policymaking to balance stakeholder interests.