Social Media Disinformation and the Papua Conflict: an Indonesian Language Investigation

Online discussion of the conflict for independence in Indonesia's two easternmost provinces – hereafter the Papua conflict – is highly fractious. The Indonesian-language online space is especially contested. Actors posting online in Indonesian occupy a complex spectrum of positions ranging between full support for the Indonesian government or for Papuan independence. Increasingly, contention between these actors includes disinformation tactics, harassment of those criticising and scrutinising the Indonesian government, and – on occasion – internet shutdowns to obstruct the free flow of information.

The increase in disinformation and pro-government interference in online discussion of the Papua conflict accords with what scholars have identified as a broader regional illiberal turn in the conduct of contentious politics via social media. Existing analyses have mapped the distribution of pro-government material pertaining to the Papua conflict by inauthentic accounts and coordinated campaigns in English and in Dutch.

It is intended to extend these analyses by examining, what accounts are posting pro-government messages in Indonesian in social media, and what is the nature and content of these posts. By focusing on Indonesian language materials, the team seeks to understand how pro-government actors shape debate on the Papua conflict within Indonesian society – where the outcome of the Papua conflict will ultimately be decided – rather than scrutinising attempts to shape international perceptions of Papua.