Asians Assert Right to Criticize Their Governments

"Asians Assert Right to Criticize Their Governments" explores the increasing demand among Asians for the freedom to openly critique their governments. The article delves into the cultural and political impacts of this movement, highlighting how citizens across various Asian countries are advocating for greater transparency, accountability, and democratic principles. It examines the challenges they face and the significance of this trend in shaping future governance in the region.

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in nine Asian countries reveals that a majority of people in the region value free speech.

In South Korea, 83 percent of respondents and in Singapore, 55 percent of respondents believe that individuals should have the right to publicly criticize their governments.

Hong Kong and Taiwan also ranked high among supporters, with over 80 percent of people agreeing with the sentiment. Both regions, which have long enjoyed self-governance and democratic structures, have a complex relationship with China, which regained control of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom in 1997 and also claims Taiwan.

Free speech is also highly favored in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, whereas Japanese respondents were more reserved.

The idea of free speech was less prevalent in Malaysia and Singapore, two countries known for their strict laws, which contributed to their low rankings on some areas of the world press freedom index.

While all the surveyed countries were rated at least partially free on the World Freedom Index, Pew did not include Vietnam and Cambodia, which are rated "not free", in its survey.

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Source: Statista‍