The Rhetoric of Anti-Corruption: A Comparative Analysis of #SaveKPK Discourse and Global Anti-Graft Campaigns

Abstract

This study provides a comparative analysis of the rhetoric employed in Indonesia’s #SaveKPK movement and global anti-corruption campaigns, exploring how discursive strategies shape public perceptions of corruption, institutional legitimacy, and democratic accountability. The #SaveKPK movement emerged as a prominent response to attempts to weaken the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), mobilizing civil society, media, and political actors through online and offline advocacy. This research examines the rhetorical patterns and framing devices used in #SaveKPK discourse, and compares them with anti-graft narratives from selected global campaigns to identify commonalities and contextual variations. Using qualitative discourse analysis, the study analyzes social media posts, campaign materials, speeches, and news coverage to map themes such as moralization of corruption, institutional heroism, civic duty, and populist anti-elite rhetoric. The findings reveal that #SaveKPK discourse relies heavily on moral and symbolic language, portraying the KPK as a national guardian of integrity and framing corruption as a threat to democracy and public welfare. In comparison, global campaigns display varied rhetorical approaches depending on political context, including legalistic, technocratic, and rights-based frames, yet share a common emphasis on transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. The novelty of this research lies in its comparative approach, which situates Indonesia’s anti-corruption rhetoric within broader transnational discursive trends, offering a systematic cross-contextual understanding of anti-graft communication. The study contributes to political communication and anti-corruption scholarship by highlighting how rhetorical strategies mobilize support, construct legitimacy, and influence policy debates across different democratic settings. It concludes that effective anti-corruption advocacy requires combining moral narratives with institutional reforms and inclusive civic engagement to sustain democratic integrity.