Of Social Discipline and Control

What is it about?

This study examines how fake news and disinformation disproportionately affect minority groups. Specifically, it focuses on the qualitative impact of fake news on racial, ethnic and sexual minority communities in Indonesia. As research questions, it asks: first, what disinformation campaigns affecting minority groups have emerged in Indonesia? Next, how have these campaigns influenced and shaped social behavior of minorities? Lastly, how is the state implicated in the problem, and to what extent are state responses considered adequate? Drawing upon primary data collected through interviews with Indonesian citizens belonging to major minority groups, this study’s findings reveal the disproportionate impact fake news has on minority communities in Indonesia. It sheds light on how fake news has been weaponized by hegemonic groups in society to both amass various forms of political and religious capital, as well as to socially control and discipline minority groups. Furthermore, it shows how the state is implicated through politicized policing of fake news.

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