Social media activism and digital authoritarian drift in flawed democracies: The case of Indonesia

Indonesia is categorized as a flawed democracy country by the Economist Intelligence Unit. It is currently experiencing a shift toward digital authoritarianism. The rise of social media activism in the country since the early 2010s has been followed by the government's increasing efforts to curtail civic spaces through various instruments of digital repression, including surveillance, internet shutdowns, legal actions, and online manipulation, facilitate by so-called buzzers—paid online operatives who disseminate counter-discourses to influence public opinion. The government's ongoing efforts to suppress online activities pose a threat to the country's democratic process. Activists and concerned public members have played a significant role in raising awareness of the country's democratic regression through their “imagined affordances” of social media. It is of critical importance to continually remind the citizens of their capabilities and their role as vigilant overseers of the government in the endeavor to uphold democracy. Social media activism in Indonesia may not necessarily democratize the political landscape; however, it plays a crucial role in raising public awareness and educating citizens about the nation's political situation, as well as informing them on how to respond and engage with it.