Editorial
Free speech in Indonesia faces a growing threat as social media surveillance intensifies and doxing becomes normalized, whether by paid "buzzers", automated bots or establishment sympathizers.
Cartoon on state digital surveillance (JP/T. Sutanto)
Democratic backsliding continues unabated in the country, marked most acutely by rapidly shrinking space for free speech. Time and again, legitimate criticism intended to hold power accountable has been met with aggressive retaliation designed to silence the messenger.Earlier this month, a lecturer at Gadjah Mada University, which ranks second nationwide, posted a critique on X regarding the mass reassignment and demotion of Public Works Ministry officials, including the secretary-general.
The internal reshuffle followed a leaked document detailing a planned work trip to New York by minister Dody Hanggodo that included his wife and daughter on the delegation and coincided with the FIFA World Cup.
