The streaming giant, Netflix, has been facing increased scrutiny and censorship demands as it expands into Southeast Asia. While the region presents a huge potential market for the company, its content has repeatedly come under fire from governments and conservative groups for allegedly promoting “immorality” and “blasphemy.” As such, the streaming service is now grappling with how to navigate the delicate balance between free speech and cultural sensitivities, as it seeks to establish a foothold in the region. In this article, we delve into the challenges faced by Netflix as it attempts to expand its reach in Southeast Asia, while also examining the wider implications of this ongoing battle over content censorship in the digital age.
According to former employees, industry observers, and rights activists, Netflix is facing multiple tests to its commitment to artistic expression as it expands in Southeast Asia. Governments have sought to control what their citizens watch and hear, prompting Netflix to accommodate at least a dozen government requests that titles be removed from the service, and been caught in the middle of debates over how the company should be regulated. Challenges come just as Netflix looks increasingly to Asia, and specifically to Southeast Asia, to fuel growth. Since 2020, the company has opened offices in three countries and licensed hundreds of local films and television shows in Southeast Asia and commissioned more than a dozen pieces of original content. Netflix’s director of content for Southeast Asia said the firm sees “a lot of untapped potential” in the region of 686 million people, but governments have welcomed the foreign investment even if they try to assert control over content. Of the 18 titles that Netflix agreed to block in part or in full from 2016 to 2021, more than half were requested by governments in Southeast Asia, according to the company.
