Amnesty International Reports Military-Led Disinformation in Indonesia
Amnesty International reports that Indonesian authorities, including the military, are deploying coordinated disinformation campaigns to target journalists, activists, academics, and protesters. According to a report titled ‘Building up Imaginary Enemies’ published on May 19, 2026, these efforts aim to silence dissent and justify repression by branding government critics as “foreign agents” under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto.
How Disinformation Targets Indonesian Dissent
Amnesty International’s research, covering the 18 months since President Prabowo Subianto took office, identifies online disinformation as a primary tactic for discrediting critics. The report states that military-connected social media accounts often initiate online slurs against individuals, which frequently precede physical intimidation and violent attacks.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International, described the phenomenon as a political weapon used to consolidate government power during periods of heightened public criticism. By labeling protesters and human rights defenders as “foreign agents,” authorities shift public focus away from legitimate grievances and toward manufactured threats.
The Role of Global Tech Platforms
The report highlights that major technology companies, including Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube, have allowed harmful content to spread rapidly across their platforms. Amnesty International asserts that these companies have failed to adequately address the disinformation, effectively allowing it to remain online while it fuels real-world repression.
The organization argues that this inaction creates an environment where authoritarian practices can accelerate, as digital platforms provide the infrastructure for state-backed groups to demonize those who speak out against government policies.
Key Points of the Amnesty International Findings
* Tactical Shift: Authorities use disinformation to systematically shut down public debate and justify state-sanctioned repression.
* Target Demographics: Disinformation campaigns specifically target journalists, activists, academics, and protesters.
* Escalation Pattern: Online slurs and “foreign agent” branding are frequently precursors to intimidation and physical violence against dissidents.
* Corporate Responsibility: Amnesty International criticizes Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube for allowing harmful disinformation to persist on their platforms, which contributes to the weakening of civil society in Indonesia.
The findings from ‘Building up Imaginary Enemies’ suggest that the intersection of military-led digital campaigns and the lack of platform oversight represents a significant threat to freedom of expression in the country. As of June 2026, Amnesty International continues to advocate for the protection of human rights and the cessation of these targeted disinformation attacks.