Papers

• Information Pathology and Politics of Denial: Engineered Conditions and Vulnerability in Papua Vidhyandika Djati Perkasa Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

  Conflict and violence in Papua have escalated. Amidst the increased conflict, through mis/disinformation or manipulating information that involved intersectional actors such as the state and other interest groups, social media and technology played a significant role in aggravating Papua’s bleak situation. In Papua, a conflict zone with high military concentration, mis/disinformation is vital in the armoury of hybrid threats. It generates instability, erodes democracy, creates political polarization, and harms social coexistence and consensus. Information is a weapon, just like missiles, bombs, and torpedoes. Military logic and technological transformation have converged in a digital space in which the internet has become one of the crucial fields of destabilization. In this space, information competes with contradictory stories, hoaxes, half-truths, conspiracy theories, messages of hatred, and attempts to manipulate public opinion.
  Civilians, who are usually defined as those not members of the armed forces or rebel groups, are usually both the victims and targets of mis/disinformation. Civilians living in conflict areas in Papua are vulnerable. They can experience numerous and recurring violations and traumatic events, including but not limited to displacement, separation from family members, sexual violence, abduction, or witnessing violence against others. Mis/disinformation would only exacerbate civilians’ fragility in a conflict situation. Mis/disinformation targeted at civilians during conflict also contributes to mental harm and increases their vulnerability. It can trigger stress and anxiety. Understanding information pathology is essential to further investigate the complexity of mis/disinformation in the context of conflict in Papua. In information pathology, I observed whom are the actors or intersectional actors involved in disinformation and digital manipulation in Papua and how do they operate.

• Youth and The Protection of Civilians Amidst Wave of Disinformation in West Papua Wida Ayu Puspitosari Brawijaya University

  This study examined the role of Papuan youth in protecting vulnerable groups, namely women, children, and migrants, amidst the prevalence of conflicts and disinformation in Jayapura, Papua. Using a qualitative case study approach, data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. The findings revealed that Papuan youth face significant challenges in their protection efforts, including limited resources, lack of institutional support, and the pervasive impact of disinformation that exacerbates social tensions. Despite these challenges, Papuan youth demonstrated resilience and innovation in developing community-based protection initiatives. These include establishing safe spaces for vulnerable groups, conducting digital literacy campaigns to counter hoaxes, and facilitating inter-generational dialogues to foster social cohesion. The effectiveness of these youth-led efforts was evident in the increased sense of security and empowerment among vulnerable groups. However, the sustainability of these initiatives remains contingent on addressing structural barriers and securing long-term support from relevant stakeholders. The study recommends a multi-stakeholder approach that involves capacity building for youth leaders, strengthening institutional mechanisms for protection, and implementing targeted policies to address the root causes of conflict and disinformation in Papua. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on youth-led peacebuilding and offer valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners working in conflict-affected regions.

• Gendered Disinformation on Indonesian Social Media: Patterns, Perpetrators, and Impacts on Female Legislative Candidates in the 2024 General Election. Kurniawati Hastuti Dewi Research Center for Politics Wija Wijayanto Universitas Diponegoro

  Social media platforms have emerged as pivotal tools in modern election campaigns, purportedly enhancing the democratic process. However, scant attention has been paid to the potential threats posed by social media towards the integrity of elections and democratic institutions, especially viewing its impact on female legislative candidates in elections. This study investigates the phenomena of gendered disinformation targeting 30 female legislative candidates vying for parliamentary seats in Indonesia’s 2024 general election. Employing a mixed-methods approach encompassing digital ethnography across four major social media platforms during and after campaign period, and in-depth interviews with the targeted candidates, the research unveils: (a) the manifestations of gendered disinformation, including digital attacks, gender-based stigmatization, and identity-based vilification; (b) the predominant anonymity of perpetrators utilizing fictitious online identities; and (c) the profound psychological impacts of such disinformation on the electoral prospects of female candidates. The study identifies four primary factors contributing to this phenomenon: (a) entrenched patriarchal norms, (b) media narratives reinforcing gender biases, (c) inadequate governmental support for women in politics, and (d) the absence of robust social media regulations safeguarding women’s interests. These findings underscore a hitherto overlooked facet of democratic erosion in one of the world’s largest democratic nations.

• Mapping Climate Mis- and Disinformation in Indonesia. Treviliana Putri University of Groningen

  In Indonesian online communications today, misinformation and disinformation are among the most prevalent problems. Mis- and disinformation about the climate crisis is one of the many types of mis- and disinformation that are rapidly spreading in Indonesia. Yet, it is often overlooked, especially when compared to political issues or COVID-19, in recent years. Meanwhile, we have to admit that mis- and disinformation about the climate crisis have the power to destroy the environment and bring about significant changes to the earth’s ecology that will be detrimental to both people and other living things.

  Online survey techniques are being used in this study to map people’s perceptions and attitudes on the climate problem. Furthermore, to investigate the various forms of climate misinformation that circulate among Indonesians, we perform a content analysis of misinformation about climate change that is accessible on several fact-checking websites in the country. This research indicates that although social media is a powerful tool for raising awareness of climate catastrophe, it also acts as a channel for the majority of the misinformation and disinformation about the issue to circulate. This study also reveals that political issues and religious narratives have largely shaped Indonesia’s climate-related misinformation and disinformation narrative.

Abstract