Coordinated disinformation campaigns are actively targeting journalists, activists, and academics in Indonesia to silence dissent and consolidate government power, according to a report published by Amnesty International on May 19, 2026. The report finds that authorities, including military-affiliated units, systematically brand critics as “foreign agents” to justify repression and discourage public debate.
How Disinformation Silences Critics in Indonesia
Since President Prabowo Subianto took office in 2024, there has been a documented increase in the use of online disinformation as a political weapon. According to Amnesty International’s report, titled *Building Up Imaginary Enemies*, this tactic serves to discredit those who speak out against the government. By labeling protesters and human rights defenders as “foreign agents,” authorities shift the focus away from legitimate public grievances.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International, stated that online disinformation has emerged as a key tactic over the 18 months of President Prabowo’s administration to systematically discredit government critics, shut down public debate, and justify repression. The report highlights that these online slurs often precede physical threats and violent attacks against dissidents.
The Role of Military and Political Affiliations
The disinformation campaigns are not isolated incidents but appear to be part of a coordinated effort. Research by Amnesty International found that these campaigns are driven by social media accounts that appear to be affiliated with military units and President Prabowo’s Gerindra party.
These findings have intensified concerns regarding the state of democracy in Indonesia. Reuters reported that the situation reflects growing fears that the world’s third-largest democracy is backsliding toward army rule. Since taking office, the former special forces commander has expanded the military’s role in civilian affairs, a shift that human rights groups say has created an environment where government critics face increased risks.
Accountability for Social Media Platforms
The spread of this harmful content is facilitated by major tech companies, according to the Amnesty International report. The rights organization criticized Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube for allowing disinformation to remain online, noting that these platforms have failed to curb the spread of content that leads to real-world threats and violence.
While the report calls for greater accountability, there has been little immediate response from the Indonesian government. Neither President Prabowo’s office nor the military provided a comment to Reuters regarding the allegations of their involvement in these campaigns as of May 19, 2026.
Key Points on the Current Climate
- Systematic Targeting: Disinformation is used to discredit journalists, activists, and academics who critique government policy.
- Strategic Labeling: The term “foreign agent” is frequently deployed to delegitimize domestic activism.
- Escalation of Violence: Online disinformation campaigns have been linked to subsequent physical threats and violence against targeted individuals.
- Platform Responsibility: Amnesty International identifies Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube as failing to adequately moderate the harmful content spreading on their networks.
As of June 2026, the situation remains a critical issue for human rights observers monitoring the intersection of state power, military influence, and digital expression in Indonesia. The persistence of these campaigns suggests that online disinformation will continue to be a central challenge for those advocating for freedom of expression in the country.