Chinese actor Yu Menglong, 37, died in Beijing on September 11, 2025. Officially ruled an accidental fall, his death has made speculation online, fuelling debates across China and Taiwan. Suppressed domestic discussion collided with diaspora discourse, highlighting tensions between PRC narrative control and cross-border media scrutiny. The case reveals the limits of digital censorship, the power of global fandom, and the complexities of information in a politically charged environment
Indonesia in 2025 has witnessed a convergence of economic anxiety, anger over political privilege, and public outrage at police conduct. What began as protest against parliamentary allowances escalated into a nationwide wave of demonstrations — catalyzed by the death of a young ride-share driver struck by a police armoured vehicle. Alongside these developments, youth-driven visual and musical protest culture has flourished, even as authorities respond with censorship, confiscations, and pressure on cultural workers.
Malaysian pop group Dolla faces national debate after their music video “Question” was removed by Universal Music Malaysia due to conservative backlash. Religious authorities criticized the outfits, raising questions on artistic freedom, self-censorship, and syariah law enforcement. Civil rights groups defend the artists, while fans call for creative autonomy. The controversy highlights tensions between modern pop culture and Malaysia’s cultural norms.
On October 27, 2025, Myanmar authorities detained a director, actor, and comedian under draconian new laws criminalizing criticism of the election slated for December. Their names remain unreleased by responsible media, highlighting wider dangers for artists. The move reflects an intensifying crackdown on creative expression and dissent as the regime gears up for a widely contested vote.
Since 2021, China’s cultural authorities have tightened control over artistic expression through CAPA’s “Performance-sector norms,” blacklists, and prosecutions that enforce ideological loyalty. Artist Gao Zhen’s detention and the suppression of politically sensitive art abroad highlight a widening campaign to align creativity with Party doctrine. NGOs warn this system, now extending beyond China’s borders, has produced a chilling effect on global artistic freedom.
One year after surviving attempts at censorship, Alipato at Muog has emerged victorious, winning Best Picture and Best Director at the 73rd FAMAS Awards. The documentary chronicles the Burgos family’s decades-long search for Jonas Burgos, a disappeared activist, and stands as both a landmark of Philippine independent cinema and a defiant reminder that truth-telling and artistic freedom cannot be silenced.
In August 2025, the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Centre faced unprecedented pressure from Chinese officials to censor artworks critical of Beijing’s policies toward Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hong Kong. The exhibition, exploring global authoritarian cooperation, was forced to remove or obscure names, flags, and political references—ironically becoming an example of the very repression it sought to expose.
The 2025 Philanthropy Asia Summit brought together 700 leaders across sectors to catalyze change for Asia’s most urgent challenges. Held in Singapore, the summit emphasized collaborative, data-driven philanthropy to tackle climate change, health, education, and inequality. With a focus on cross-sector partnerships and scalable innovation, PAS 2025 highlighted Asia’s potential to lead global progress through bold, systemic action and collective investment in a resilient, inclusive future.
Olin Monteiro’s three-decade journey redefines feminist activism in Indonesia, merging art, political resistance, and historical memory. From founding ArtsforWomen Indonesia to connecting rural and urban movements, she uses creativity as both protest and healing. Her initiatives—spanning community theater, zines, and intergenerational networks—challenge patriarchal norms and state repression, positioning art as essential infrastructure for liberation.
Sukatani’s censored song sparks protests and debate on free speech, with police facing allegations of intimidation.
