Comparative Communication in Media Policy in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Study of Regulatory Models and Their Impact on Press Freedom

Abstract

This study aims to comparatively examine media policy frameworks in Southeast Asia and their implications for press freedom from a communication perspective. A qualitative approach was employed using a cross-national comparative case study design, as it enables an in-depth understanding of regulatory variation within diverse socio-political contexts. The research was conducted in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, which were purposively selected to represent different media regulatory models in the region. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with nine key informants, including media regulators, senior journalists, and communication scholars, chosen for their expertise and direct involvement in media policy processes. The findings reveal that variations in media regulation produce distinct forms of press freedom shaped by state intervention, media ownership structures, and political communication orientations. The study concludes that press freedom in Southeast Asia operates along a dynamic spectrum rather than a binary condition. The research recommends the development of context-sensitive and transparent media policies that strengthen democratic public communication while balancing state and societal interests.