Indonesian Authorities Use Disinformation to Silence Dissent, Amnesty International Reports
A new report by Amnesty International reveals that Indonesian authorities, including the military, have intensified disinformation campaigns to suppress criticism and intimidate activists, journalists, and academics. The 2026 report, titled *“Building up Imaginary Enemies,”* highlights how government-aligned social media accounts label critics as “foreign agents,” a tactic aimed at undermining public trust in dissenting voices.
Under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, these campaigns have escalated, with online slurs often preceding real-world intimidation and violence against activists. “Authoritarian practices have accelerated in Indonesia under President Prabowo Subianto’s government,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General. “Disinformation is a political weapon, deployed to consolidate power when public criticism intensifies, while demonizing and weakening those who dare to speak out.”
Targeting Critics Through Online Slurs
The report details how military-connected accounts systematically spread false narratives to discredit critics. These efforts target a broad spectrum of individuals, including human rights defenders, protesters, and independent journalists. The disinformation often includes baseless claims of foreign interference, which the report argues divert attention from legitimate grievances.
“This pattern reveals a deliberate strategy to shut down public debate and justify repression,” Callamard added. “By branding activists as ‘foreign agents,’ authorities shift the narrative away from systemic issues and toward fabricated threats.”
Role of Tech Giants in Amplifying Harm
Amnesty International also criticized major tech platforms, including Meta, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, for failing to curb the spread of harmful content. The report notes that these platforms allow disinformation to remain online, enabling its rapid dissemination.
“Social media companies sit back and let it happen,” Callamard said. “Their inaction fuels a climate of fear and silences those who challenge the status quo.”
Context and Implications
The findings come amid broader concerns about democratic backsliding in Indonesia. Since Prabowo’s election in 2024, civil liberties groups have documented increased surveillance, restricted protests, and attacks on independent media. The disinformation campaigns represent a new front in the government’s efforts to control public discourse.
Amnesty International urges tech companies to implement stricter content moderation policies and for international bodies to hold Indonesian authorities accountable. “This is not just a local issue,” Callamard said. “It is a global challenge to protect free expression and democratic norms.”
For more information, visit Amnesty International’s report.