Indonesia’s Government-Backed Disinformation Campaigns Target Activists and Journalists

Amnesty International has issued a stark warning about the escalating use of disinformation campaigns in Indonesia, which are being employed to silence critics and suppress dissent. The report, titled “Building up Imaginary Enemies”, reveals a coordinated effort by state and state-aligned actors to brand journalists, activists, and human rights defenders as “foreign agents,” effectively undermining their credibility and legitimacy.

The Scale of the Problem

According to the report, these disinformation tactics have intensified under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, with military-connected social media accounts playing a central role in spreading harmful content. The campaigns are designed to discredit legitimate advocacy and public discourse, often preceding real-world intimidation or violent attacks against dissenters.

“Authoritarian practices have accelerated in Indonesia under President Prabowo Subianto’s government,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International. “This disinformation is a political weapon, deployed to consolidate the government’s power when public criticism intensifies, while demonizing and weakening those who dare to speak out.”

The Role of Tech Giants

The report also criticizes major technology companies, including Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube, for failing to adequately address the spread of disinformation. These platforms have been allowed to remain unmoderated, enabling harmful content to proliferate rapidly. The lack of action from these companies has exacerbated the situation, according to Amnesty International.

“By branding protesters, journalists and human rights defenders as ‘foreign agents,’ Indonesia’s authorities and their supporters are deliberately shifting attention away from people’s legitimate grievances,” the report states.

Human Rights Implications

The disinformation campaigns have had a chilling effect on public debate and have led to significant human rights violations. The report highlights cases where online slurs have preceded physical intimidation and violence against dissidents. It also calls on the Indonesian government to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for these attacks.

“Authorities must promptly investigate the killing of opposition figures and bring perpetrators to justice,” the report urges, citing specific incidents in Mozambique and El Salvador as examples of the broader trend.

Call to Action

Amnesty International is urging international bodies and tech companies to take immediate action to address the issue. The organization is also calling on the Indonesian government to halt the use of disinformation as a tool of repression and to protect the rights of activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.

“We campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all,” the organization states on its website. “Join the fight for garment workers’ rights, demand justice for victims of climate injustice, and speak out against authoritarian practices.”

For more information, visit Amnesty International’s official website.