Indonesian Discourse on Communication, Democracy, and Political Movements
type: channel
description: Indonesian Discourse on Communication, Democracy, and Political Movements offers an interdisciplinary platform for exploring the dynamic relationships between communication, democracy, and political movements within Indonesia. The journal examines how both traditional and digital communication strategies shape political landscapes, influence democratic processes, and drive social and political change in the Indonesian context. Through a variety of theoretical and empirical approaches, it highlights how communication acts as a catalyst for both grassroots activism and top-down political discourse. The journal invites contributions that analyze political discourse, media representation, civil society engagement, and the impact of social media on political mobilization. It also addresses the intersection of culture, religion, and politics in communication, along with critical issues such as government control over the media and its effects on democratic practices. By engaging with diverse perspectives and case studies, the journal fosters a deeper understanding of the role communication plays in shaping Indonesia’s political realities and advancing democratic ideals, both locally and globally.
publisher: The Network of Indonesian Legal and Justice Researchers
language: en
publication name: Indonesian Discourse on Communication, Democracy, and Political Movements
copyright: All writings published in this journal are the personal views of the authors and do not represent the views of this journal or the authors’ affiliated institutions. Authors retain copyrights without any restriction under the license of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
items: Deepfakes, Trust, and Electoral Integrity: The Emerging Threat to Indonesian Democracy
items: AI-Powered Political Messaging: Automated Persuasion and the 2024 Indonesian Election
items: Discourse of Environmental Justice: Indigenous Movements and Palm Oil Expansion in Indonesia
items: Clickworkers, Troll Farms, and Political Influence: The Hidden Labor Behind Indonesia’s Online Politics
items: Platform Governance and Political Speech: YouTube, TikTok, and the Regulation of Indonesian Political Content
items: Public Space and Protest in the Megacity: Urban Politics and Demonstrations in Jakarta
items: Moderate Islam in the Digital Age: Counter-Extremism Discourse in Indonesian Social Media
items: From K-Pop Fandom to Political Fandom: Youth Subcultures and Political Mobilization in Indonesia
items: Vaccine Hesitancy, Misinformation, and Government Messaging: A Discourse Analysis of Indonesia’s COVID-19 Response
items: Digital Democracy or Digital Authoritarianism? A Critical Look at Communication and Governance Under Indonesia’s Jokowi Administration
items: The Role of Online Communities in Shaping Political Movements: A Case Study of #IndonesiaGue
items: Communication Strategies of Religious Movements in Indonesia: The Intersection of Faith, Politics, and Democracy
items: Media Literacy and Democracy in Indonesia: Addressing the Challenges of Fake News and Political Misinformation
items: The Power of Memes: Political Communication and Satire in Indonesia’s Online Activism
items: From Activism to Policy Change: The Role of Civil Society in Shaping Indonesia’s Environmental Political Movements
items: Political Polarization and the Echo Chamber Effect: How Social Media Affects Democratic Dialogue in Indonesia
items: Women in Indonesian Political Movements: The Role of Gendered Communication in Shaping Political Change
items: Censorship and Democracy in Indonesia: The Role of Communication Restrictions in Political Movements
items: Populism and Democracy: How Political Leaders Use Communication to Engage the Indonesian Masses
items: The Impact of Traditional Media on Voter Behavior in Indonesia’s Democracy: A Comparative Analysis of Print, Television, and Radio
items: From Reformasi to ‘Masa Depan’: The Evolving Role of Student Movements in Indonesian Politics
items: Political Communication in Indonesia’s Regional Elections: Voter Engagement and Media Influence
items: Democracy in the Digital Age: The Impact of Digital Activism on Indonesia’s Political Movements
items: The Role of Social Media in Shaping Political Discourse During Indonesia's 2019 Presidential Election
items: Islam, Identity, and Democracy: The Discursive Construction of Political Islam in Indonesia
items: Democracy and Digital Publics: Indonesia as a Case Study for Emerging Democracies in the Global South
items: Satire as Political Communication: Memes, Humor, and Resistance in Indonesian Political Movements
items: Freedom of Expression under Pressure: The Discourse Surrounding Indonesia’s Anti-Hate Speech Laws
items: Fake News, Moral Panic, and Political Mobilization: A Case Study of Indonesia’s Election Cycles
items: Communication of COVID-19 Policies and Public Trust: The Indonesian Government’s Messaging and Public Response

Deepfakes, Trust, and Electoral Integrity: The Emerging Threat to Indonesian Democracy
type: item
description: This study examines the emerging threat of deepfakes to trust and electoral integrity in Indonesia, where digital media and social platforms increasingly mediate political communication and public opinion. As generative AI technologies enable the creation of highly realistic but fabricated audio-visual content, deepfakes pose significant risks to democratic processes by undermining the credibility of political actors, spreading misinformation, and manipulating voter perceptions. This research investigates how deepfakes are produced, circulated, and received within Indonesia’s electoral ecosystem, and assesses their potential impact on trust in institutions, media, and the electoral process. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines computational detection of deepfake content, content analysis of viral misinformation cases, and qualitative interviews with journalists, election officials, digital platform experts, and civil society actors. The findings indicate that deepfakes amplify existing vulnerabilities in Indonesia’s information environment, particularly in contexts of high political polarization and limited digital literacy. Deepfake content is often strategically deployed to discredit opponents, provoke emotional reactions, and create confusion during critical electoral moments. The study also finds that public trust is eroded not only by the presence of deepfakes but by the uncertainty they generate, as audiences struggle to distinguish authentic from manipulated content. The novelty of this research lies in its context-specific analysis of deepfake threats in Indonesia’s democratic setting, offering one of the first empirical examinations of deepfake circulation in Southeast Asian elections. The contribution of the study is to develop a conceptual framework linking deepfake proliferation with trust erosion and electoral legitimacy, and to provide policy-relevant insights for strengthening digital resilience. The study concludes that protecting e…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Deepfakes; Electoral integrity; Political misinformation; Public trust; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Inez Anggraeni
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
doi: 10.65815/zrkx7164

AI-Powered Political Messaging: Automated Persuasion and the 2024 Indonesian Election
type: item
description: This study investigates the deployment of AI-powered political messaging during the 2024 Indonesian election, focusing on how automated persuasion technologies reshape campaign communication, voter influence, and democratic integrity. As political actors increasingly adopt generative AI tools, chatbots, and algorithmic content creation, the production and dissemination of campaign messages have become faster, personalized, and potentially more manipulative. This research examines the strategies and impacts of AI-driven political messaging, including automated targeting, deepfake-enabled persuasion, and large-scale content amplification through bots and coordinated networks. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines digital trace analysis of social media campaign outputs, computational detection of AI-generated content, and qualitative interviews with political communication professionals, platform moderators, and civil society observers. The findings reveal that AI-powered messaging has significantly increased the volume and speed of political content, enabling micro-targeting and emotionally tailored narratives that can exploit voter biases and reduce deliberative engagement. The study also finds evidence of strategic use of AI-generated visuals and text to blur the boundaries between authentic and fabricated political communication, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and electoral fairness. The novelty of this research lies in its empirical examination of AI-driven political persuasion within Indonesia’s electoral context, providing one of the first systematic analyses of AI-mediated campaigning in Southeast Asia. The contribution of the study is to advance understanding of how automation transforms political messaging ecosystems and to propose a conceptual framework for assessing AI’s democratic risks and opportunities. The study concludes that safeguarding electoral integrity requires stronger AI disclosure policies, platform gover…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: AI political messaging; Automated persuasion; Election 2024; Deepfakes; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Syafa Amirah
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
doi: 10.65815/7grwvr59

Discourse of Environmental Justice: Indigenous Movements and Palm Oil Expansion in Indonesia
type: item
description: This study examines the discourse of environmental justice in Indonesia by analyzing indigenous movements’ responses to palm oil expansion and its socio-environmental impacts. Palm oil development has become a major driver of economic growth in Indonesia, yet it has also led to land dispossession, ecological degradation, and social conflicts, particularly affecting indigenous communities whose livelihoods and cultural identities are closely tied to land and forests. This research explores how indigenous movements articulate environmental justice claims, mobilize collective action, and contest state and corporate narratives surrounding palm oil production. Using qualitative discourse analysis, the study analyzes indigenous activism materials, protest speeches, community statements, social media campaigns, and media coverage to identify dominant frames and rhetorical strategies. The findings reveal that indigenous movements frame palm oil expansion as a violation of rights, sovereignty, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing concepts of customary land rights, ecological stewardship, and intergenerational justice. They employ narratives that connect local struggles to broader global justice discourses, challenging corporate legitimacy and state development paradigms. However, the study also identifies obstacles such as limited access to legal resources, asymmetric power relations, and co-optation of indigenous voices in state-led sustainability initiatives. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on environmental justice discourse as a central mechanism of indigenous resistance in the palm oil context, highlighting the intersection of identity, land rights, and ecological politics in Indonesia. The contribution of the study is to enrich understanding of how discourse shapes environmental governance and social movements, providing empirical insights for policymakers and activists seeking equitable and sustainable development. The study concludes that achie…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Environmental justice; Indigenous movements; Palm oil expansion; Land rights; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Dania Aisyah
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
doi: 10.65815/1cbj0e46

Clickworkers, Troll Farms, and Political Influence: The Hidden Labor Behind Indonesia’s Online Politics
type: item
description: This study investigates the hidden labor behind Indonesia’s online politics by examining the roles of clickworkers and troll farms in shaping political discourse, public opinion, and electoral outcomes. As digital platforms become central arenas for political communication, the organized production of online content—through paid engagement, coordinated messaging, and automated amplification—has emerged as a critical mechanism for influencing political narratives and manipulating public sentiment. This research explores how clickworkers and troll farms operate within Indonesia’s digital ecosystem, including their recruitment, labor conditions, messaging strategies, and relationships with political actors. Employing a qualitative research design, the study draws on interviews with former clickworkers, content analysis of coordinated posts, and examination of digital traces associated with organized online campaigns. The findings reveal that clickworkers and troll farms use targeted messaging, emotional appeals, and repetitive amplification to create the appearance of grassroots support, reinforce polarization, and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Their labor practices often involve precarious working conditions, anonymity, and ethical ambiguities, reflecting broader trends in digital gig economies and political commodification. The study also identifies the strategic integration of these labor networks with political campaigns, interest groups, and partisan organizations, highlighting how hidden digital labor contributes to asymmetrical power in online public spheres. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on the labor dimension of digital political influence in Indonesia, bridging political communication, labor studies, and digital sociology. The contribution of the study is to provide empirical evidence of how hidden online labor shapes democratic discourse and to propose a framework for understanding the political economy of digital manipulation.…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Clickworkers; Troll farms; Digital political influence; Online manipulation; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Rizka Wulandari
creator: Deo Agustina Putri
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
doi: 10.65815/7z1pm360

Platform Governance and Political Speech: YouTube, TikTok, and the Regulation of Indonesian Political Content
type: item
description: This study examines how platform governance on YouTube and TikTok regulates Indonesian political content and the implications for political speech, democratic participation, and digital public discourse. As these platforms become primary venues for political communication, campaigning, and civic engagement, their content moderation policies, algorithmic recommendation systems, and enforcement practices significantly influence which political voices gain visibility and which are suppressed. This research investigates how platform governance shapes the production, circulation, and reception of political content in Indonesia, focusing on how moderation decisions interact with local political contexts, regulatory pressures, and user behaviors. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines policy analysis of platform guidelines and Indonesian regulations with qualitative content analysis of political videos and short-form content, as well as interviews with content creators, digital activists, and platform users. The findings reveal that YouTube and TikTok apply governance mechanisms that reflect both global policy frameworks and localized compliance, resulting in inconsistent moderation outcomes and uncertainty among political content producers. Algorithmic recommendation systems often prioritize engagement-driven content, which can amplify sensational or polarizing political messaging, while moderation practices may disproportionately affect minority or dissenting voices due to vague rules and automated enforcement. The study also identifies the role of state influence, including legal threats and coordination with platform operators, in shaping governance outcomes. The novelty of this research lies in its comparative analysis of two dominant platforms within Indonesia’s political media ecosystem, highlighting the differential impacts of platform architecture and governance models on political speech. The contribution of the study is to provide empirical insights …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Platform governance; Political content moderation; YouTube; TikTok; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Ariella Nadine
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
doi: 10.65815/tk3nzj44

Public Space and Protest in the Megacity: Urban Politics and Demonstrations in Jakarta
type: item
description: This study examines the relationship between public space, urban politics, and protest in Jakarta, Indonesia’s megacity, where demonstrations have become central to political contestation and civic expression. As a densely populated and politically significant metropolis, Jakarta functions as both the symbolic heart of the nation and a strategic site for mobilizing mass movements. Public spaces such as the National Monument (Monas), Merdeka Square, and major thoroughfares serve as arenas where citizens negotiate political power, visibility, and legitimacy. This research investigates how urban infrastructure, spatial regulations, and state security practices shape protest dynamics, and how demonstrators strategically use the city’s public spaces to amplify their political messages. Employing a qualitative case study approach, the study analyzes protest events, spatial policies, media coverage, and interviews with activists, urban planners, and security officials to understand the interplay between space, power, and collective action. The findings reveal that Jakarta’s public spaces are contested terrains where protesters seek to disrupt everyday urban life to gain attention and leverage, while the state deploys regulatory measures, policing strategies, and spatial management to contain dissent. The study highlights how spatial control—through permits, road closures, and surveillance—affects the capacity of movements to mobilize and maintain visibility. The novelty of this research lies in its integration of urban politics and protest studies, emphasizing the role of space as a political actor in Indonesia’s megacity context. The contribution of the study is to deepen understanding of how urbanization and spatial governance influence democratic participation and public dissent. It concludes that democratic urban politics requires inclusive access to public space, transparent protest regulations, and participatory urban planning that accommodates civic expression while…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Urban politics; Public space; Protest; Jakarta; Megacity
  topic: keywords
creator: Naysa Kirana
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-31
publication date: 2025-07-31
doi: 10.65815/s8sk2706

Moderate Islam in the Digital Age: Counter-Extremism Discourse in Indonesian Social Media
type: item
description: This study examines how moderate Islam is articulated in Indonesian social media through counter-extremism discourse, focusing on the communicative strategies employed by religious organizations, influencers, and civic groups to challenge radical narratives and promote pluralist values. In the digital age, social media has become a primary arena for religious communication, where competing interpretations of Islam vie for legitimacy and influence. While extremist content often spreads through networked platforms, moderate Muslim actors increasingly use online spaces to counter radicalization, advocate for tolerance, and shape public perceptions of Islam’s role in democratic society. This research analyzes counter-extremism campaigns, online sermons, hashtag movements, and digital religious content to identify dominant frames, rhetorical devices, and interaction patterns that constitute moderate Islamic discourse. Employing qualitative discourse analysis, the study examines how messages are constructed, disseminated, and received across different social media communities. The findings indicate that moderate Islamic discourse often emphasizes themes of inclusivity, civic harmony, and national unity, using religious texts, cultural symbolism, and moral persuasion to delegitimize extremist ideologies. The study also finds that counter-extremism communication is shaped by strategic collaborations between religious authorities and digital influencers, while also facing challenges such as online harassment, algorithmic bias, and the risk of oversimplifying complex theological debates. The novelty of this research lies in its contextualized analysis of moderate Islamic discourse as an active counter-extremism strategy within Indonesia’s digital public sphere, bridging religious studies and digital communication scholarship. The contribution of the study is to provide empirical insights into how digital religious communication can strengthen democratic resilience by fosterin…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Moderate Islam; Counter-extremism; Social media discourse; Religious communication; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Aurea Melati
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-31
publication date: 2025-07-31
doi: 10.65815/yj4t2h80

From K-Pop Fandom to Political Fandom: Youth Subcultures and Political Mobilization in Indonesia
type: item
description: This study investigates the transformation of youth subcultures from K-pop fandom to political fandom in Indonesia, examining how digital fan communities have become sites of political mobilization and civic participation. In recent years, K-pop fan bases have evolved beyond entertainment-oriented activities to engage in political campaigns, social advocacy, and online activism, demonstrating a shift in youth culture where affective attachment and collective identity are redirected toward political causes. This research analyzes how youth subcultures deploy fan-based communication strategies, such as coordinated hashtag campaigns, viral content creation, and networked mobilization, to influence political discourse and participate in democratic processes. Using a qualitative approach, the study examines social media interactions, fan community platforms, campaign artifacts, and interviews with youth activists and fandom leaders to understand the mechanisms of political engagement within fan cultures. The findings reveal that fan communities leverage their organizational skills, digital literacy, and collective coordination to support political causes, including voter education, advocacy for social justice, and responses to political events. These communities also construct political identities through shared narratives, symbolism, and affective engagement, blurring the boundary between entertainment and politics. The study also highlights potential risks, such as the susceptibility of fan communities to misinformation, polarization, and instrumentalization by political actors. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on the political potential of fan cultures in Indonesia, positioning K-pop fandom as a precursor to new forms of youth political mobilization in digital spaces. The contribution of the study is to advance understanding of how subcultural networks reshape democratic participation by introducing alternative modes of political socialization and collec…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: K-pop fandom; Political fandom; Youth mobilization; Digital subcultures; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Cahaya Anindya
creator: Indra Justicio Permana
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-31
publication date: 2025-07-31
doi: 10.65815/hnapsr49

Vaccine Hesitancy, Misinformation, and Government Messaging: A Discourse Analysis of Indonesia’s COVID-19 Response
type: item
description: This study examines vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and government messaging during Indonesia’s COVID-19 response through a discourse analysis of public communication and online narratives. As Indonesia faced multiple waves of infection and a large-scale vaccination campaign, public acceptance of vaccines became a key determinant of pandemic management and democratic trust in state institutions. However, vaccine hesitancy was fueled by misinformation, religious concerns, and distrust toward authorities, creating obstacles to achieving public health targets. This research analyzes official government statements, public service announcements, social media campaigns, and online user-generated content to explore how government messaging interacted with misinformation and shaped public perceptions of vaccines. Using qualitative discourse analysis, the study identifies dominant frames, rhetorical strategies, and counter-discourses that emerged during the vaccination rollout. The findings reveal that government messaging frequently emphasized scientific authority, national solidarity, and religious compatibility, but often lacked consistency in addressing misinformation and concerns from diverse communities. Meanwhile, misinformation narratives exploited anxieties related to vaccine safety, conspiracy theories, and religious legitimacy, which were amplified through social media networks and influential public figures. The study highlights how the interplay between official communication and misinformation shaped vaccine hesitancy and public trust. The novelty of this research lies in its integrative analysis of discourse across state and public spheres, linking health communication with political legitimacy in Indonesia’s pandemic context. The contribution of the study is to provide empirical insights into how communication strategies can either mitigate or exacerbate vaccine hesitancy, offering implications for crisis governance and democratic resilience. The study con…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Vaccine hesitancy; COVID-19 misinformation; Government communication; Discourse analysis; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Rania Aulia Putri
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-31
publication date: 2025-07-31
doi: 10.65815/59zm0m86

Digital Democracy or Digital Authoritarianism? A Critical Look at Communication and Governance Under Indonesia’s Jokowi Administration
type: item
description: The increasing integration of digital platforms into state governance and political communication has generated new tensions between democratic openness and authoritarian control. This study critically examines how President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) administration has deployed digital technologies for political communication, public engagement, and governance, and assesses whether these practices strengthen democratic participation or contribute to emerging forms of digital authoritarianism in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative approach, the research analyzes official social media content, government digital initiatives, policy documents, and media reports to map the communication strategies and governance mechanisms implemented during the Jokowi era. The findings reveal a dual trajectory: on one hand, digital platforms have been utilized to enhance government transparency, public service delivery, and citizen participation through initiatives such as public feedback mechanisms and information dissemination; on the other hand, the administration has also relied on digital surveillance, narrative management, and regulatory measures that may restrict online dissent and concentrate informational power. The study identifies a growing institutional capacity to shape public opinion through algorithmic visibility, coordinated messaging, and the co-optation of digital influencers, which raises concerns about the narrowing of democratic space. The urgency of this research lies in the rapid digitalization of governance and the lack of comprehensive evaluation regarding its implications for democratic accountability. The novelty of this study is its contextualized critical assessment of digital governance under Jokowi, bridging political communication and governance scholarship in Indonesia. The research contributes to debates on digital democracy by proposing a nuanced framework that considers both democratic potential and authoritarian risks in state-led digitalization. It con…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Digital governance; Political communication; Digital authoritarianism; Jokowi administration; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Kirana Ayu Pratiwi
creator: Ria Puspa Dewi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-31
publication date: 2025-07-31
doi: 10.65815/k403he17

The Role of Online Communities in Shaping Political Movements: A Case Study of #IndonesiaGue
type: item
description: The rise of online communities has significantly transformed political mobilization and participation in Indonesia, reshaping how citizens engage with political movements beyond traditional organizational structures. This study examines the role of online communities in shaping political movements through a case study of the #IndonesiaGue movement, a digitally driven initiative that mobilized social media users to advocate for political change and civic accountability. Employing a qualitative case study approach, the research analyzes social media content, online interactions, movement narratives, and media coverage related to #IndonesiaGue to explore how digital spaces facilitate collective identity formation and political engagement. The findings indicate that the #IndonesiaGue movement leveraged decentralized communication, participatory hashtags, and user-generated content to lower barriers to political involvement and enable rapid mobilization across diverse social groups. Online communities functioned as spaces for deliberation, symbolic resistance, and narrative contestation, allowing participants to express political grievances and aspirations outside formal political institutions. However, the study also identifies structural limitations, including fragmented leadership, short-lived engagement, and challenges in translating online activism into sustained offline political outcomes. The urgency of this research lies in the growing reliance on digital platforms as arenas of political participation in Indonesia’s evolving democracy. This study contributes to political communication and digital activism scholarship by providing an empirically grounded analysis of how online communities operate as political actors within networked movements. It concludes that while digital spaces expand opportunities for democratic participation, their effectiveness depends on the capacity of online communities to sustain engagement and connect digital mobilization with broader …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Online communities; Digital activism; Political movements; Hashtag activism; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Nadira Zahra Sari
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30
doi: 10.65815/hy5kfs90

Communication Strategies of Religious Movements in Indonesia: The Intersection of Faith, Politics, and Democracy
type: item
description: Religious movements play a significant role in shaping political discourse and democratic participation in Indonesia, where faith remains a central element of public life. As religious actors increasingly engage with political issues, communication becomes a crucial mechanism through which religious values, political interests, and democratic ideals intersect. This study examines how religious movements in Indonesia employ communication strategies—ranging from sermons and religious gatherings to social media engagement and public demonstrations—to influence political narratives and mobilize participation within the democratic sphere. Using a qualitative research approach, the study analyzes sermon texts, online religious content, movement statements, and media coverage of religiously motivated political actions. The findings reveal that religious movements strategically combine moral framing, identity-based narratives, and emotional appeals to legitimize political positions and encourage collective action. Digital platforms are used to extend the reach of religious messages, facilitate networked mobilization, and shape public opinion beyond traditional religious spaces. However, the study also finds that these communication practices generate ambivalent democratic effects: while they can enhance political participation and civic awareness, they may also contribute to polarization and the exclusion of dissenting perspectives. The urgency of this research lies in the growing visibility of religious actors in Indonesia’s political arena and the implications for democratic pluralism. This study contributes to scholarly discussions on political communication and religion by offering a context-sensitive analysis of how religious discourse operates as a political resource in a democratic setting. It concludes that understanding the communicative strategies of religious movements is essential for fostering inclusive democratic dialogue, and recommends the development of eng…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Religious movements; Political communication; Democracy; Faith and politics; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Safa Nabila
creator: Ahmad Zayyan Abdul Rahman
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30
doi: 10.65815/08pb3j85

Media Literacy and Democracy in Indonesia: Addressing the Challenges of Fake News and Political Misinformation
type: item
description: The proliferation of fake news and political misinformation has emerged as a significant challenge to democratic processes in Indonesia, particularly in the context of rapid digital media expansion and increased online political engagement. While digital platforms enable broader participation, they also facilitate the spread of misleading information that undermines public trust and informed citizenship. This study aims to examine how media literacy initiatives in Indonesia address the challenges posed by fake news and political misinformation in order to promote critical and informed democratic engagement. Employing a qualitative research design, the study analyzes media literacy programs implemented by government institutions, civil society organizations, educational initiatives, and digital platforms through policy documents, training materials, and public campaign content. The findings indicate that effective media literacy initiatives emphasize critical thinking, source verification, and digital ethics, while adapting communication strategies to local socio-cultural contexts. These initiatives seek not only to reduce the circulation of misinformation but also to empower citizens to actively and responsibly participate in democratic discourse. However, the study also identifies limitations related to uneven program accessibility and the lack of systematic integration into formal civic education frameworks. The urgency of this research lies in the increasing vulnerability of Indonesia’s digital public sphere to misinformation and political manipulation. The study contributes to academic debates by positioning media literacy as a long-term democratic intervention rather than a reactive corrective mechanism. It concludes that strengthening collaborative, inclusive, and sustainable media literacy frameworks is essential for enhancing democratic resilience, and recommends closer cooperation among state actors, civil society, and educational institutions to support in…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Media literacy; Political misinformation; Fake news; Digital democracy; Democratic resilience
  topic: keywords
creator: Lara Kinasih
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30
doi: 10.65815/78p7sk18

The Power of Memes: Political Communication and Satire in Indonesia’s Online Activism
type: item
description: This paper examines the growing significance of memes, humor, and satire as instruments of political communication within Indonesia’s online activism. As social media platforms increasingly function as key arenas for political engagement, visual satire and humorous content have emerged as accessible and influential modes of political expression, particularly among younger and digitally connected citizens. This study investigates how memes operate not only as cultural artifacts but also as communicative tools that shape political narratives, mobilize participation, and contest dominant power structures in Indonesia’s democratic context. Employing qualitative digital discourse analysis, the research analyzes a curated corpus of political memes circulated on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok during major political moments, including elections, policy debates, and social movements. The findings reveal that memes perform multiple political functions: they simplify complex political issues, foster collective identity, and lower barriers to political participation through humor and irony. At the same time, satire enables users to criticize political elites and institutions while navigating social and political sensitivities. However, the study also identifies ambivalent effects, as meme-based communication may encourage superficial engagement or reinforce polarization when satire is used to delegitimize opposing viewpoints. The novelty of this study lies in its systematic conceptualization of memes as a distinct form of political communication in Indonesia, integrating visual culture analysis with political communication theory. Unlike existing research that treats online satire as peripheral or anecdotal, this paper positions memes as central communicative actors in digital political movements within a non-Western democratic setting. The research contributes to scholarly debates on digital activism and democratic participation by demonstrating how humor and satire reshape mo…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Political memes; Online activism; Digital satire; Political communication; Indonesian democracy
  topic: keywords
creator: Hana Syafira
creator: Indra Agus Kurniawan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30
doi: 10.65815/e4actq21

From Activism to Policy Change: The Role of Civil Society in Shaping Indonesia’s Environmental Political Movements
type: item
description: This paper explores how civil society actors in Indonesia transform environmental activism into concrete policy influence within the framework of democratic environmental politics. As environmental degradation increasingly intersects with issues of governance, inequality, and public accountability, civil society organizations, grassroots movements, and youth collectives have become central to environmental political mobilization. Rather than focusing solely on protest actions or policy outcomes, this study examines the communicative processes through which environmental movements engage political institutions, negotiate legitimacy, and shape decision-making agendas. Using a qualitative research design, the study analyzes advocacy campaigns, public statements, digital activism, and policy engagement initiatives undertaken by environmental NGOs and youth-led movements across national and local contexts. The analysis demonstrates that civil society actors employ multi-layered communication strategies, including evidence-based advocacy, rights-based discourse, and emotionally resonant storytelling, to bridge the gap between public mobilization and formal policy arenas. These strategies allow activists to reframe environmental issues as democratic concerns, linking ecological sustainability to citizen participation, social justice, and state responsibility. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on the communicative transition from activism to policy engagement, highlighting how discourse and framing function as political tools in environmental movements. Unlike prior studies that emphasize institutional pathways or movement outcomes, this paper foregrounds communication as a dynamic mechanism that enables civil society to navigate power asymmetries and influence environmental governance. The study contributes to the literature on environmental politics and democratic participation by offering a context-sensitive account of how civil society shapes policy debates…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Civil society activism; Environmental governance; Policy advocacy; Democratic participation
  topic: keywords
creator: Aurelia Putri Ramadhani
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-04-30
publication date: 2025-04-30
doi: 10.65815/ja8ecm82

Political Polarization and the Echo Chamber Effect: How Social Media Affects Democratic Dialogue in Indonesia
type: item
description: This study analyzes the impact of social media–driven echo chambers on political polarization and democratic dialogue in Indonesia. In recent years, the rapid expansion of digital platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp has transformed political communication, enabling citizens to access, share, and interpret political information in unprecedented ways. However, algorithmic filtering and homophilic online interactions have increasingly confined users to ideologically aligned networks, reinforcing selective exposure and intensifying political divisions. Using a mixed qualitative approach that combines discourse analysis of online political conversations with secondary data from national surveys and media reports, this study examines how echo chambers shape public discourse, political attitudes, and democratic engagement in Indonesia’s pluralistic society. The findings indicate that social media echo chambers contribute significantly to affective polarization by amplifying partisan narratives, delegitimizing opposing viewpoints, and fostering mistrust toward democratic institutions. Rather than facilitating deliberative dialogue, online political spaces often privilege emotionally charged content, misinformation, and identity-based framing, which weakens constructive debate and exacerbates social fragmentation. Nevertheless, the study also identifies moments where cross-cutting interactions emerge, particularly during critical political events, suggesting that echo chambers are influential but not entirely impermeable. The novelty of this research lies in its contextualized analysis of political polarization within Indonesia’s socio-cultural and democratic landscape, moving beyond Western-centric models of echo chambers. By situating social media dynamics within local political practices and communication norms, the study offers a more nuanced understanding of how digital polarization operates in emerging democracies. The research contributes to the fields o…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Political polarization; Echo chambers; Social media; Democratic dialogue; Indonesian politics
  topic: keywords
creator: Amara Shafa Maharani
creator: Muhammad Riski
creator: Agustinus Bambang Purnomo
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-01-31
publication date: 2025-01-31
doi: 10.65815/55d8xy62

Women in Indonesian Political Movements: The Role of Gendered Communication in Shaping Political Change
type: item
description: This study examines the role of women in Indonesian political movements with a particular focus on how gendered communication strategies have been employed to challenge entrenched patriarchal norms and promote political change. Drawing on qualitative analysis of political speeches, activist narratives, media representations, and movement documents from the post-Reformasi era, the research explores how women activists strategically frame political messages to gain legitimacy, mobilize support, and influence democratic discourse. The findings demonstrate that women in Indonesian political movements utilize gendered communication not merely as a reflection of social constraints but as an active political resource. Through narratives emphasizing moral authority, social responsibility, and collective identity, women activists navigate cultural expectations while simultaneously redefining leadership and political participation. The novelty of this study lies in its integration of gender communication theory with political movement analysis in the Indonesian context, a dimension that has received limited scholarly attention. Unlike existing studies that primarily focus on women’s representation or policy outcomes, this research foregrounds communication as a central mechanism through which women negotiate power and enact change. By highlighting the communicative practices underlying women’s political engagement, the study offers a nuanced understanding of how gendered discourse shapes movement dynamics and democratic reform processes. The research contributes to the broader fields of political communication, gender studies, and Southeast Asian politics by providing empirical insights into the intersection of gender, culture, and political activism. It also offers practical implications for political actors and civil society organizations seeking to enhance inclusive participation and gender-sensitive communication strategies within democratic movements. Overall, the study …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Gendered communication; Women’s political movements; Indonesian politics; Democratic reform; Political activism
  topic: keywords
creator: Maya Lestari
creator: Nur Erika Putri
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-01-31
publication date: 2025-01-31
doi: 10.65815/g13dat07

Censorship and Democracy in Indonesia: The Role of Communication Restrictions in Political Movements
type: item
description: This study investigates the complex relationship between communication restrictions and democratic health in Indonesia, focusing on the systemic use of censorship as a response to political mobilization. As Indonesia navigates a period of "democratic backsliding," the state has increasingly relied on both legal and technical instruments to manage political discourse and suppress dissent. Utilizing a qualitative framework based on legal policy analysis and case studies of mass mobilization (such as the 2019 post-election riots and the 2025 "Reformasi Dikorupsi" protests), this paper examines three primary modes of restriction: the application of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, the implementation of targeted internet shutdowns, and the strategic moderation of social media content. The findings reveal that while the government justifies these measures as necessary for maintaining "public order" and curbing "hoaxes," they often function as tools of digital repression that create a "spiral of silence" among activists and journalists. The research further highlights the role of "Ministerial Regulation 5 (MR5)" in forcing platform compliance, effectively outsourcing censorship to private technology companies. The study argues that these restrictions do not merely silence individual voices but structurally undermine the "digital public sphere" by disrupting the flow of real-time information during critical political events. The paper concludes that the normalization of communication restrictions in Indonesia signals a shift toward a more illiberal democratic model, where the infrastructure of the internet is weaponized to preserve political stability at the expense of civil liberties. These insights provide a critical assessment of the tension between state security and freedom of expression in the world's third-largest democracy.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Censorship; Digital Repression; ITE Law; Internet Shutdowns; Indonesian Democracy
  topic: keywords
creator: Zara Amalia Salsabila
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-01-31
publication date: 2025-01-31
doi: 10.65815/16b69597

Populism and Democracy: How Political Leaders Use Communication to Engage the Indonesian Masses
type: item
description: This study examines the rise of populist communication in Indonesia, focusing on how political leaders employ specific rhetorical and media strategies to mobilize the masses and challenge established democratic institutions. In the context of Indonesia’s diverse and fragmented electorate, populism has emerged as a potent political tool, often characterized by a "people vs. the elite" narrative that seeks to bypass traditional institutional checks and balances. Drawing on discourse analysis and political communication theory, the research identifies the key elements of the Indonesian populist repertoire: the use of emotive and colloquial language, the performance of blusukan (on-the-spot visits), and the strategic weaponization of social media. The paper analyzes how leaders leverage platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to cultivate an aura of "authentic" proximity to the common citizen while simultaneously framing judicial or legislative oversight as obstacles to the "popular will." The findings suggest that the digital era has fundamentally altered populist dynamics; social media serves as a direct, unmediated channel that amplifies nationalistic and religious sentiments, often at the expense of deliberative democratic norms. Furthermore, the study explores the paradox of "democratic populism" in Indonesia—where populist tactics are used both to increase civic engagement and to delegitimize democratic opposition. The paper concludes that the normalization of populist rhetoric poses a significant challenge to the long-term stability of Indonesia’s democratic institutions, as it prioritizes charismatic authority over institutional proceduralism.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Populism; Indonesian Politics; Political Rhetoric; Democratic Erosion; Social Media Mobilization
  topic: keywords
creator: Naila Azzahra Putri
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-01-31
publication date: 2025-01-31
doi: 10.65815/dyym8934

The Impact of Traditional Media on Voter Behavior in Indonesia’s Democracy: A Comparative Analysis of Print, Television, and Radio
type: item
description: This study provides a comparative analysis of the impact of traditional media—television, radio, and print—on voter behavior and political opinion formation within Indonesia’s democratic framework. While the global academic discourse has shifted heavily toward digital platforms, traditional media continues to command significant authority in Indonesia, particularly within rural and peri-urban demographics where the "digital divide" remains a structural reality. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research evaluates the distinct psychological and social effects of each medium. Television is analyzed as the dominant "agenda-setter," fostering national political imagery through high-frequency advertisements and talk shows. Radio is examined for its unique role in localized political consolidation and its accessibility in remote agricultural and maritime regions. Meanwhile, print media is assessed as a tool for elite discourse and in-depth policy deliberation among more literate, politically engaged rural segments. The findings indicate that while social media influences the speed of information, traditional media remains the primary source of "perceived legitimacy" for rural voters. The study highlights a "mediation effect," where information from national television is often re-interpreted through local social hierarchies and face-to-face communication. Furthermore, the research addresses how media conglomerates’ ownership affects the neutrality of political coverage. The paper concludes that traditional media acts as a stabilizing force for democratic continuity in rural Indonesia, suggesting that electoral success in the world’s largest archipelagic state still requires a sophisticated synergy between "old" and "new" media strategies.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Traditional Media; Voter Behavior; Rural Indonesia; Television Influence; Media Comparative Analysis
  topic: keywords
creator: Alya Nur Safitri
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-01-31
publication date: 2025-01-31
doi: 10.65815/g561vd60

From Reformasi to ‘Masa Depan’: The Evolving Role of Student Movements in Indonesian Politics
type: item
description: This research provides a longitudinal analysis of student movements in Indonesia, tracing their evolution from the 1998 Reformasi period to contemporary socio-political protests. Historically recognized as the "moral force" of the nation, Indonesian students have played a pivotal role in major political transitions. This paper examines how the strategies, ideologies, and organizational structures of these movements have adapted to the changing democratic landscape of the post-Suharto era. The study utilizes a comparative historical framework to analyze key protest cycles, including the 1998 fall of the New Order and the recent "Reformasi Dikorupsi" (Reform Corrupted) and "Omnibus Law" protests. The findings reveal a significant shift in activism dynamics: while the 1998 movement was characterized by physical occupation of state institutions and centralized leadership, contemporary movements leverage digital platforms for decentralized mobilization and horizontal networking. Furthermore, the research explores the transition from purely structural demands to more diverse advocacy issues, including environmental rights, legislative transparency, and gender equality. Despite these advancements, the paper identifies emerging challenges to student-led democratic development, such as political co-optation, internal fragmentation, and the increasing securitization of campus spaces. The study concludes that while the "Masa Depan" (future) of student activism remains a potent check and balance against executive overreach, its long-term influence depends on its ability to bridge the gap between digital discourse and sustainable grassroots organizing. This evolution reflects the broader complexities of Indonesia’s democratic consolidation and the enduring legacy of student agency in national politics.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Student Movements; Reformasi; Indonesia; Democratic Development; Political Activism
  topic: keywords
creator: Bima Ardhana
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-10-31
publication date: 2024-10-31
doi: 10.65815/a2drp256

Political Communication in Indonesia’s Regional Elections: Voter Engagement and Media Influence
type: item
description: This study explores the dynamics of political communication strategies within the context of Indonesia’s regional elections (Pilkada), examining how mediated messaging influences voter behavior and civic engagement. In Indonesia’s decentralized political system, regional elections serve as a critical arena for diverse communication tactics, ranging from traditional oratory to sophisticated digital media campaigns. The research employs a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the efficacy of three primary communication pillars: mass media advertisements, strategic political speeches, and localized social media outreach. By analyzing case studies from diverse provinces, the paper investigates the correlation between candidate messaging and voter perception. The findings suggest that while traditional media and public speeches remain vital for establishing "political personae" and regional legitimacy, there is an increasing shift toward data-driven digital campaigning to target the millennial and Gen Z demographic. Furthermore, the study assesses the impact of "pork barrel" narratives and populist rhetoric in regional political discourse. The results indicate that localized media influence plays a decisive role in swing voter decision-making, though its effectiveness is often mediated by existing patronage networks and local identity politics. The paper concludes that political communication in Indonesia’s Pilkada is undergoing a hybrid transformation; success is no longer dictated solely by party machinery but by the ability to synchronize grassroots linguistic nuances with modern media aesthetics. These insights offer a broader understanding of how decentralized democracies navigate the complexities of political persuasion in a fragmented media environment.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Political Communication; Regional Elections (Pilkada); Voter Behavior; Media Influence; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Saka Prasetyo
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-10-31
publication date: 2024-10-31
doi: 10.65815/asmmrh43

Democracy in the Digital Age: The Impact of Digital Activism on Indonesia’s Political Movements
type: item
description: This study examines the evolution of democratic participation in Indonesia through the lens of digital activism, focusing on how social media platforms have redefined the landscape of political movements. As the "Digital Age" reshapes traditional power dynamics, platforms such as Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram have emerged as vital conduits for grassroots mobilization and civic advocacy. Utilizing a multi-dimensional analysis of recent Indonesian political movements, this research explores the dual-edged nature of digital tools in a consolidating democracy. On one hand, the study highlights how digital activism has successfully bypassed traditional media gatekeepers, enabling rapid-response movements related to legislative changes, corruption reform, and environmental protection. On the other hand, it critically assesses the increasing challenges of government control, including the strategic use of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law to curb dissent and the rise of "digital repression" through surveillance and coordinated cyber-attacks. The findings indicate that while digital activism has significantly lowered the barriers to political entry for Indonesia’s youth, it has also triggered a sophisticated counter-reaction from state and elite actors. The paper argues that the resulting environment is one of "contested digital spaces," where the struggle for free speech is constantly balanced against state-led narratives and algorithmic manipulation. Ultimately, this research concludes that the impact of digital activism on Indonesian democracy is profound yet precarious; it serves as a powerful instrument for accountability while remaining vulnerable to legislative overreach and digital authoritarianism.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Digital Activism; Indonesian Democracy; Political Movements; Free Speech; Digital Repression
  topic: keywords
creator: Raihan Ananda Kurnia
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-10-31
publication date: 2024-10-31
doi: 10.65815/1127v736

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Political Discourse During Indonesia's 2019 Presidential Election
type: item
description: This study investigates the transformative role of social media platforms in shaping political discourse during the 2019 Indonesian Presidential Election. As Indonesia represents one of the world's largest digital demographics, the 2019 electoral cycle served as a critical flashpoint for digital politics, characterized by an unprecedented reliance on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (now X), and WhatsApp for political mobilization. Employing a qualitative framework supplemented by digital discourse analysis, this paper examines three primary phenomena: the proliferation of "hoax" news (fake news), the deepening of political polarization, and the engineering of public opinion. The findings reveal that while social media democratized political participation by providing a space for grassroots campaigning, it simultaneously acted as a catalyst for hyper-partisan "echo chambers." The study highlights how the strategic use of "buzzers" (coordinated social media amplifiers) and automated bots exacerbated the divide between the supporters of Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto. Furthermore, the research analyzes the role of identity politics in digital spaces, noting how misinformation was often weaponized to appeal to religious and nationalistic sentiments. The results suggest that the unregulated spread of disinformation significantly undermined the quality of deliberative democracy in Indonesia, leading to high levels of social friction that persisted long after the polls closed. This paper concludes that while social media is a potent tool for civic engagement, its susceptibility to manipulation poses a structural threat to electoral integrity, necessitating more robust digital literacy and platform accountability in future democratic cycles.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Social Media; Political Discourse; Indonesia 2019 Election; Digital Polarization; Fake News
  topic: keywords
creator: Karel Jaya Saputra
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-10-31
publication date: 2024-10-31
doi: 10.65815/21etd529

Islam, Identity, and Democracy: The Discursive Construction of Political Islam in Indonesia
type: item
description: This study investigates how political Islam is discursively constructed in Indonesia, focusing on the interplay between Islam, identity politics, and democratic norms. While Indonesia is often portrayed as a model of moderate Islam within a democratic framework, the rise of identity-based political mobilization has challenged the stability of democratic pluralism. This research analyzes how Islamic political actors, religious institutions, and public intellectuals employ discourse to define Islam’s role in state and society, shape collective identities, and influence democratic participation. Using a qualitative discourse analysis of political speeches, media narratives, party platforms, and online public debates, the study examines the linguistic and rhetorical strategies that construct political Islam as both a moral authority and a political project. The findings reveal that political Islam is articulated through competing discursive frames, including civic Islam, conservative Islam, and populist Islam, each of which draws on religious symbolism, historical narratives, and moral legitimacy to mobilize support. These frames interact with democratic discourses, producing tensions between inclusion and exclusion, citizenship and religiosity, and constitutional pluralism and majoritarianism. The study highlights how identity is not a fixed attribute but a negotiated political resource that is continually reshaped through discourse. The novelty of this research lies in its contextualized analysis of political Islam as a discursive field rather than a monolithic ideology, emphasizing the fluidity of identity construction in Indonesia’s democratic context. The contribution of the study is to provide an empirical framework for understanding how Islamic discourse influences democratic processes, offering insights for scholars and policymakers on navigating identity politics and sustaining democratic pluralism. It concludes that democratic resilience depends on the capacit…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Political Islam; Discursive construction; Identity politics; Democratic pluralism; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Elang Dwi Putra
creator: Alex Budi Kurniawan
creator: Miftahul Jannatil Firdaus
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-10-31
publication date: 2024-10-31
doi: 10.65815/g7q7jt19

Democracy and Digital Publics: Indonesia as a Case Study for Emerging Democracies in the Global South
type: item
description: This study examines Indonesia as a case study for understanding the relationship between democracy and digital publics in emerging democracies of the Global South. As digital platforms become central arenas for political communication, public deliberation, and civic mobilization, Indonesia’s complex socio-political landscape—characterized by religious diversity, regional disparities, and a history of democratic transition—offers a critical context for exploring how digital publics shape democratic trajectories. This research investigates how online spaces facilitate political participation, identity formation, and collective action, while also generating challenges such as misinformation, polarization, and digital inequality. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines content analysis of social media discourse with qualitative interviews of digital activists, journalists, and civil society actors to capture both structural dynamics and lived experiences within Indonesia’s digital public sphere. The findings reveal that digital publics in Indonesia function as double-edged platforms: they expand access to political information and mobilize civic engagement, yet also amplify divisive narratives and reproduce socio-economic inequalities. The study further identifies the significant role of algorithmic curation, platform governance, and state regulation in shaping the visibility and legitimacy of political voices. The novelty of this research lies in its comparative and context-sensitive framework, positioning Indonesia as an illustrative example of how digital publics interact with democratic institutions in the Global South rather than applying Western-centric models. The contribution of the study is to provide a nuanced conceptualization of digital democracy that accounts for local political cultures, technological infrastructures, and power asymmetries. It concludes that strengthening democratic outcomes in digital publics requires inclusive digital lite…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Digital publics; Digital democracy; Emerging democracies; Indonesia; Global South
  topic: keywords
creator: Zidan Alfarizi
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-31
publication date: 2024-07-31
doi: 10.65815/e3hz8979

Satire as Political Communication: Memes, Humor, and Resistance in Indonesian Political Movements
type: item
description: This study investigates satire as a form of political communication within Indonesian political movements, focusing on how memes, humor, and satirical expression function as tools of resistance and civic engagement in digital and public spaces. In Indonesia’s evolving democratic context, satire has become increasingly prominent as a means for citizens to critique political elites, challenge state narratives, and navigate restrictions on dissent. This research examines how satirical content is produced, circulated, and interpreted, and how it contributes to political mobilization, identity formation, and democratic participation. Using a qualitative approach, the study analyzes a corpus of political memes, satirical videos, online commentaries, and protest performances from selected political movements, alongside interviews with activists and content creators. The findings show that satire operates through layered communication strategies, including irony, parody, and exaggeration, enabling audiences to engage with political issues in accessible and emotionally resonant ways. Satirical content also facilitates collective identity and solidarity by creating shared cultural references and enabling symbolic resistance against perceived injustice. However, the study also identifies potential risks, such as the normalization of cynicism, reinforcement of echo chambers, and misinterpretation that may escalate polarization or undermine serious policy debate. The novelty of this research lies in its systematic examination of satire as a deliberate political strategy rather than mere entertainment, integrating theories of humor, digital media, and social movements within the Indonesian setting. The contribution of the study is to advance understanding of how humorous communication shapes political discourse and participation, offering empirical insights into the democratic potential and limitations of satire in contemporary movements. The study concludes that satire can stren…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Political satire; Memes; Humor; Digital activism; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Ihsan Rafli Pratama
creator: Ahmad Sasongko
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-31
publication date: 2024-07-31
doi: 10.65815/e0w9rp97

Freedom of Expression under Pressure: The Discourse Surrounding Indonesia’s Anti-Hate Speech Laws
type: item
description: This study examines the discourse surrounding Indonesia’s anti-hate speech laws and its implications for freedom of expression, democratic pluralism, and state legitimacy. In recent years, Indonesia has witnessed an intensification of legal measures aimed at regulating hate speech, motivated by concerns over rising social tensions, identity-based conflict, and online misinformation. However, these laws have also sparked debates regarding potential restrictions on civil liberties, political dissent, and media freedom. This research analyzes how different actors—government officials, civil society organizations, media professionals, and public commentators—frame the anti-hate speech laws in public discourse, and how these frames influence perceptions of democratic rights and legal legitimacy. Employing qualitative discourse analysis, the study examines legal texts, parliamentary debates, policy statements, media coverage, and social media conversations to identify dominant narratives and counter-narratives. The findings reveal competing discursive frames: proponents emphasize public order, national unity, and protection of vulnerable groups, while critics argue that the laws may be used to suppress dissent, criminalize criticism, and consolidate state control over political speech. The analysis also highlights the role of moral and religious language in legitimizing regulatory measures, as well as the strategic use of legal ambiguity to expand state authority. The novelty of this study lies in its focus on discourse as a political battleground where freedom of expression is negotiated, rather than treating the laws solely as legal instruments. The study contributes to political communication and human rights scholarship by demonstrating how discursive strategies shape the legitimacy and public acceptance of speech regulation. It concludes that protecting freedom of expression requires clearer legal definitions, transparent enforcement mechanisms, and inclusive public …
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Freedom of expression; Anti-hate speech laws; Discourse analysis; Legal legitimacy; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Ammar Iqbal Suryanto
creator: Thalib Setiawan Ramdhani
creator: Indah Sari Putri
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-30
publication date: 2024-07-30
doi: 10.65815/ym9tm674

Fake News, Moral Panic, and Political Mobilization: A Case Study of Indonesia’s Election Cycles
type: item
description: This study examines the interplay between fake news, moral panic, and political mobilization during Indonesia’s election cycles, focusing on how misinformation campaigns trigger emotional public responses and influence democratic participation. As Indonesia’s electoral landscape becomes increasingly mediated through digital platforms, fake news has become a recurrent feature of political contestation, often provoking moral panic that amplifies social anxieties around religion, ethnicity, and national identity. This research analyzes how misinformation is framed and disseminated, how it generates collective fear and moral outrage, and how these affect voter behavior, public discourse, and political mobilization. Using a qualitative case study approach, the study analyzes circulating fake news narratives, social media interactions, news media coverage, and public reactions across several election periods. The findings reveal that fake news often employs symbolic and identity-based frames that resonate with existing social fears, leading to moral panic that legitimizes heightened political activism and polarization. In many cases, moral panic functions as a catalyst for mobilization, as citizens and political actors engage in rapid collective action to defend perceived moral and national values. However, the study also finds that moral panic can distort democratic deliberation, marginalize minority groups, and undermine trust in electoral institutions. The novelty of this research lies in its integrated conceptualization of fake news and moral panic as intertwined mechanisms of political mobilization in Indonesia, rather than treating them as separate phenomena. The study contributes to political communication and democratization scholarship by demonstrating how misinformation-driven moral panic shapes electoral politics and civic engagement. It concludes that addressing fake news requires not only fact-checking but also strengthening media literacy, promoting inclusiv…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Fake news; Moral panic; Political mobilization; Election cycles; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Naufal Ahsan Syahputra
creator: Brian Antonio
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-31
publication date: 2024-07-31
doi: 10.65815/texfr132

Communication of COVID-19 Policies and Public Trust: The Indonesian Government’s Messaging and Public Response
type: item
description: This study examines the communication strategies used by the Indonesian government to disseminate COVID-19 policies and explores how these messages shaped public trust and compliance during the pandemic. The Indonesian government faced the dual challenge of managing a public health crisis while maintaining political legitimacy in a diverse and decentralized society. Effective communication was crucial for ensuring public understanding of health protocols, vaccine campaigns, and mobility restrictions, yet the government’s messaging was often contested due to inconsistent information, politicization, and varying levels of public confidence. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research analyzes official government communications, press conferences, public service announcements, and social media posts, complemented by survey data and public opinion reports to assess public responses and trust levels. The findings indicate that clarity, consistency, and transparency in government messaging were key determinants of public trust, while contradictory statements and perceived lack of accountability eroded confidence and increased skepticism. The study also finds that digital platforms played a significant role in shaping public reception, as misinformation and competing narratives influenced how citizens interpreted policy directives. The novelty of this research lies in its integrated examination of policy communication and trust dynamics within Indonesia’s pandemic governance, bridging health communication, political communication, and crisis management. The contribution of the study is to provide empirical evidence on how government messaging affects democratic legitimacy and citizen compliance during crises, highlighting the importance of credible communication in sustaining public trust. The study concludes that strengthening crisis communication requires institutional coordination, consistent messaging, and proactive engagement with communities, and recommends enhancin…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Crisis communication; COVID-19 policy; Public trust; Government messaging; Indonesia
  topic: keywords
creator: Haqi Bima Setiawan
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-07-31
publication date: 2024-07-31
doi: 10.65815/t2cwcw41