Indonesia’s Disinformation Campaigns Targeting Activists and Journalists

Amnesty International has raised alarms over coordinated disinformation campaigns in Indonesia, where government critics, including activists, journalists, and academics, are being falsely labeled as “foreign agents.” These campaigns, according to the human rights organization, are silencing dissent and fueling intimidation and violence under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

Systematic Discredit and Repression

The report, titled “Building up Imaginary Enemies”, reveals that state and state-aligned actors have weaponized misinformation to undermine civil society. By branding legitimate critics as foreign agents, authorities are shifting focus away from public grievances and consolidating power. This tactic has intensified since Prabowo took office 18 months ago, with online disinformation directly linked to offline violence and human rights abuses.

Role of Social Media Platforms

Platforms like Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube have been criticized for allowing harmful content to spread unchecked. Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, emphasized that these tech giants enable the proliferation of disinformation, which serves as a political tool to suppress dissent. “By branding protesters and human rights defenders as ‘foreign agents,’ Indonesia’s authorities are deliberately shifting attention away from people’s legitimate grievances,” she stated.

Chilling Effect on Free Speech

The campaigns have created a climate of fear, deterring public debate and stifling free expression. Activists and journalists face online slurs that precede real-world intimidation and attacks. The report highlights the chilling effect of these tactics, which not only target individuals but also undermine democratic discourse.

Calls for Accountability

Amnesty International is urging social media companies to take stronger action to remove harmful content and prevent the spread of disinformation. The organization also calls on the Indonesian government to halt the use of online disinformation as a tool of repression. “Authoritarian practices have accelerated in Indonesia under President Prabowo Subianto’s government,” Callamard said. “This disinformation is a political weapon, deployed to consolidate the government’s power when public criticism intensifies.”

As the situation evolves, the international community is watching closely to ensure that human rights are protected and that digital spaces remain safe for free expression.