Semarang, Indonesia – On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Department of Southeast Asian Studies, Goethe University Frankfurt hosted a guest lecturer session as part of the “Mediatization in Politics in Southeast Asia” course for graduate students. The session was held virtually via Zoom and brought a valuable international perspective to the course, with Dr. Phil. Nuriyatul Lailiyah from UNDIP’s Department of Communication Science as the guest speaker.

Dr. Nuri, Assistant Professor at the Department of Communication Science, FISIP UNDIP, delivered a thought-provoking lecture on Social Media, AI, and Freedom of Speech. This session was part of a broader collaboration with the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at Goethe University Frankfurt, led by Dr. Patrick Keilbart, the course instructor.

During the lecture, Dr. Nuri began by discussing the current state of social media, particularly in Southeast Asia, and the massive scale of social media usage today. She emphasized the significance of understanding social media as a critical platform for freedom of speech, which is a vital issue in today’s political landscape. She shared various cases related to freedom of speech, raising questions about the role of platforms such as Meta and Facebook in moderating content. Dr. Nuri pointed out how platforms often define their own standards for what can and cannot be shared, challenging the audience to reflect on whether social media environments are shaped by users themselves or dictated by the platforms.

Furthermore, Dr. Nuri explored the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on freedom of speech. She discussed three key points: (1) AI helps to beautify, simplify, and dramatize content shared by users, (2) the potential for over-censorship and concerns around transparency, and (3) the amplification of polarization. Through these insights, she invited the audience to critically reflect on the role of AI and how it might be influencing the way we communicate and express ourselves on social media.

Dr. Patrick Keilbart praised Dr. Nuri’s insightful contribution, stating, “Dr. Nuriyatul provided an enlightening perspective on the political and social media landscape in Indonesia.”

Dr. Teguh Yuwono, Dean of FISIP UNDIP, expressed his appreciation for the event, stating, “Dr. Nuriyatul’s participation has helped elevate FISIP UNDIP’s international presence,” adding that future collaborations with Goethe University Frankfurt would be explored.

Dr. Nuri concluded the session by urging the participants to think critically about the current state of social media, especially with the increasing use of AI, and to reflect on its implications for freedom of speech. She encouraged students to consider the ethical and societal challenges posed by AI in shaping public discourse.

This session is just one example of how UNDIP continues to foster international academic exchanges and provides a platform for students to engage with pressing global issues. FISIP UNDIP remains committed to enhancing its international partnerships and offering a diverse, impactful learning experience to its students.

Contributor: Wildan Namora