Abstract
In Indonesia, the mass media has been controlled by the government to maintain "the unity and the stability of the state" and to promote development. The banning of two weekly magazines and one weekly newspaper in June 1994 stimulated the struggle for the freedom of speech. The independent journalists' association named AJI was established, and the growth of "alternative media" led to criticism of Suharto's authoritarian regime. Indonesia has been increasingly integrated into the structures of the global capitalist economy and is less able to isolate itself from the free flow of information. There are also international NGO networks. Globalisation means that the Indonesian Government is no longer able to restrict the freedom of speech.
