Pornography Act (Indonesia)

The Pornography Act (Indonesian: Undang-Undang Pornografi), officially Act No. 44 of 2008 on Pornography (Undang-Undang Nomor 44 Tahun 2008 tentang Pornografi), is a law in Indonesia that regulates the production, distribution, and use of pornographic material. It is one of the most debated pieces of legislation in the country's post-Reform era legal landscape.

It was first tabled on 14 February 2006 as the Anti-Pornography and Pornoaction Bill (Rancangan Undang-Undang Anti-Pornografi dan Pornoaksi or RUU APP) by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), supported by other Islamic-oriented parties, groups, and conservative legislators. The bill was passed on 30 October 2008 by the House of Representatives (DPR), and was signed into law on 26 November 2008 by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. It defines pornography broadly to include visual, written, and audio content deemed obscene or sexually explicit. It prohibits activities such as producing, distributing, or publicly displaying pornographic material, with heavier penalties for involving children. Its passage sparked widespread public debate, with critics warning that the law threatens freedom of expression, women's rights, and Indonesia's cultural diversity, while supporters framed it as a measure to uphold public morality and protect children. Despite multiple constitutional challenges, the law remains in force and continues to influence debates over morality, pluralism, and legal regulation in Indonesia.