Rising Authoritarianism and the Use of Disinformation in Indonesia

In the 18 months since President Prabowo Subianto took office, Indonesia has seen a concerning acceleration of authoritarian practices. A new report from Amnesty International, titled Building up Imaginary Enemies, highlights how the Indonesian government and military are increasingly utilizing online disinformation as a political weapon to suppress dissent and consolidate power.

As public criticism of the government has intensified, authorities have turned to systematic campaigns to discredit journalists, activists, academics, and protesters. By labeling these individuals as “foreign agents,” the government is effectively shifting the focus away from legitimate public grievances and toward the demonization of those who speak out.

The Mechanics of Silencing Dissent

The Amnesty International report reveals a clear pattern of repression. Online disinformation campaigns often serve as a precursor to real-world intimidation and violent attacks. By targeting critics on social media, military-connected accounts create an environment where harassment is normalized and protected expression is stifled.

Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International, noted the severity of this trend:

“Amnesty’s research shows that in the 18 months since Prabowo took power, online disinformation has emerged as a key tactic to systematically discredit government critics, shut down public debate and justify repression – all while social media companies sit back and let it happen.”

The report emphasizes that this is not merely an incidental occurrence but a deliberate strategy to weaken civil society. By branding human rights defenders and journalists as threats to the state, authorities have successfully narrowed the space for democratic discourse.

The Role of Big Tech

A significant portion of the report focuses on the failure of major technology platforms to curb the spread of harmful content. According to the findings, companies including Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube have allowed coordinated disinformation campaigns to remain active on their platforms despite the real-world consequences for the individuals being targeted.

Critics argue that by failing to moderate this content, these tech giants are inadvertently facilitating the suppression of human rights. The persistence of these campaigns demonstrates a failure to protect users from political weaponization and targeted harassment.

Key Takeaways

• Systematic Targeting: Indonesian authorities and military-linked entities are deploying disinformation to silence journalists, academics, and activists.
• Political Weaponization: The “foreign agent” label is being used to discredit legitimate dissent and distract from government accountability.
• Escalation of Violence: Online slurs and disinformation frequently precede physical intimidation and violence against critics.
• Platform Responsibility: Major social media companies are under pressure to address the rapid spread of disinformation that fuels authoritarian repression.

Moving Forward

The situation in Indonesia serves as a stark reminder of how quickly digital platforms can be repurposed to serve authoritarian ends. As the government continues to use disinformation to consolidate power, the international community and technology companies face growing pressure to protect the fundamental right to freedom of expression. Protecting activists and journalists from these orchestrated attacks is essential to preserving the integrity of public debate in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main tactic used to silence critics in Indonesia?
According to Amnesty International, the government and military use coordinated online disinformation campaigns to portray critics as “foreign agents,” thereby discrediting their activism and justifying repression.

How do social media companies contribute to this issue?
The report states that platforms like Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube have allowed harmful disinformation to spread rapidly, failing to remove content that leads to real-world intimidation and violence against dissidents.

What is the goal of these disinformation campaigns?
The primary goal is to consolidate government power by demonizing those who speak out, shutting down public debate, and distracting the public from legitimate grievances against the government.