I think that freedom of speech is just part of western culture, it's not a thing in asia.

Criticizing the authority is not easy anywhere, and it's only being made possible with freedom of speech. The west has learned to control the public opinion to a degree, and adapt, but it's a difficult exercise, which explains why freedom of speech does not happen elsewhere because it involves changing a lot of things in how government works.

When freedom of speech is not part of a country, it's much easier to make its citizens like the government. People like authority, it's too much of an effort to be curious, ask questions, think about alternatives, organize dissent, talks, etc.