Of Social Discipline and Control: The Impact of Fake News and Disinformation on Minorities in Indonesia

This study sets out to analyse the qualitative impact of fake news on Indonesia's racial, ethnic and sexual minority communities. Indonesia presents an interesting case, given how the effect of disinformation in the country has been particularly pronounced. The rampant spread of disinformation extensively impinged the integrity of the Jakarta gubernatorial elections in 2017 and the presidential elections in 2019. It has also been implicated in long-standing ethno-religious violence and discrimination against minority groups. This study investigates three research questions: first, what disinformation campaigns affecting minority groups have emerged in Indonesia? Next, how have these campaigns influenced and shaped the social behaviour of minorities? Lastly, how is the state implicated in the problem, and to what extent are state responses considered adequate? The study draws on primary data collected through interviews with Indonesian citizens belonging to influential minority groups.