Cancel Culture: Legal And Public Policy Challenges in The Digital Age

Abstract

This paper talks about cancel culture and legal and public policy challenges in the digital age. This research uses qualitative methods and legal document studies by collecting and analyzing relevant documents, such as legal regulations, public policies, or legal statements related to cancel culture. The theory used is the legal system of Lawrence Meir Friedman. The legal system talks about aspects of legal structure, legal substance, and legal culture. The results of this study revealed that cancel culture describes a social practice in which individuals are punished masse by netizens through virtual media for words and actions that are considered controversial. Here are some public figures who have experienced cancel culture such as Ahmad Dhani, Luna Maya, Gisel Anastasya, Rizki Billar, Tuan Guru Mizan Qudsiyah, and Panji Gumilang. By law, cancel culture causes reputational damage and violates constitutional rights so that it can sue those responsible for reputation restoration and losses suffered. As a policy challenge, cancel culture requires affirmative policy by looking at the pressure of netizens and its viral power in building collaboration between governments, social media platforms, civil society, and individuals to protect differences and free speech.