The public sphere is the arena where state policies and societal values interact and are debated, including on potentially contested issues such as access to resources and maintenance of the commons. As an arena, the public sphere includes public venues, and also mass communications tools such as the media, which in the current era of digitalization, also includes social media. Civil, political and media freedoms are necessary for a vibrant public sphere, but they are increasingly challenged in Southeast Asia due to the diverse political and legal systems. This research theme reflects on the implications of these trends, and explores established and new opportunities to maintain an active public sphere for deliberating public policies and societal values, ensuring accountable decision-making and debating alternative development visions.