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Indonesian Military Uses Disinformation to Target Activists, Amnesty Reports
Amnesty International reveals coordinated disinformation campaigns in Indonesia, branding activists and journalists as “foreign agents” to suppress dissent under President Prabowo Subianto’s government. The report highlights the role of social media platforms in amplifying state-backed misinformation, chilling free expression, and enabling violence against critics.
The Weaponization of Online Disinformation
Amnesty International’s report, “Building Up Imaginary Enemies,” documents how Indonesian authorities, including the military, have deployed disinformation to discredit activists, journalists, and academics. By labeling critics as “foreign agents,” the government shifts focus from public grievances to fabricated narratives of external interference. This tactic, observed in the 18 months since Prabowo’s 2024 election, has escalated amid growing public dissent over economic inequality, environmental policies, and human rights abuses.
“This disinformation is a political weapon,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty’s Secretary General. “It consolidates power by silencing voices and justifying repression. Tech companies like Meta and TikTok enable this by failing to remove harmful content.”
Linking Online Harassment to Offline Violence
The report links online disinformation to real-world violence. Activists and journalists targeted in these campaigns have faced intimidation, physical attacks, and surveillance. In one case, a climate activist in West Java received death threats after being falsely accused of collaborating with foreign entities. Such incidents have created a “chilling effect,” deterring public debate and eroding trust in democratic institutions.
“When the state uses social media to label critics as traitors, it normalizes violence,” said Dr. Rina Sari, a Jakarta-based legal scholar specializing in digital rights. “This isn’t just about misinformation—it’s about rewriting reality to suppress opposition.”
Social Media Platforms’ Role in the Crisis
Amnesty’s analysis found that platforms like Meta, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube fail to enforce policies against harmful content. Despite user reports, disinformation posts often remain online, reaching millions. The report cites a 2025 study by the University of Indonesia, which found that 68% of online disinformation related to activism was shared by accounts linked to state-aligned groups.
“These companies have a responsibility to protect users from coordinated harm,” said
“The algorithmic amplification of disinformation is not just a technical failure—it’s a moral one.”
Regional Implications and Civic Responses
The crackdown has broader implications for Southeast Asia, where authoritarian trends are rising. In Indonesia, a nation of 270 million, the suppression of dissent threatens its reputation as a regional democracy. Local NGOs, such as human rights law firms and civil society organizations, are mobilizing to defend free expression and hold platforms accountable.
“We’re seeing a pattern of state violence that mirrors other autocrat