Indonesia's Military Uses Disinformation to Silence Dissent

Under President Prabowo Subianto's administration, Indonesia has seen a rise in coordinated online disinformation campaigns targeting journalists, activists, and civil society organizations. These campaigns label critics as 'foreign agents' and have been linked to violence and intimidation. Amnesty International's report, 'Building Up Imaginary Enemies,' details how these tactics have been systematically employed since Prabowo took office in October 2024. The report highlights that social media platforms like Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube have failed to take effective action against the spread of harmful content. The disinformation campaigns often involve hundreds of accounts posting identical messages, which can escalate to physical violence against targeted individuals. The implications for those labeled as 'foreign agents' include severe reputational damage and increased risks to their safety. The situation reflects a broader trend of authoritarian practices aimed at stifling dissent and public debate in Indonesia.

Key Points: • Coordinated disinformation campaigns target critics of the Indonesian government. • Accusations of being 'foreign agents' have led to violence and intimidation. • Major social media platforms have not effectively addressed the spread of harmful content.