Planned Anti-Disinformation Bill Draws Criticism Amid Foreign Propaganda Concerns

Indonesian authorities are advancing with new regulations to combat disinformation and foreign propaganda, a move that has triggered concerns from civil liberties organizations about potential restrictions on free speech and online expression.

Coordinating Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Services Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed last Thursday that the regulation is currently under review by the Law Ministry. The initiative follows direct instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to begin drafting the legislation.

“We have experienced this ourselves. There is a lot of disinformation and misunderstandings surrounding our national developments and interests that later become propaganda aimed at discrediting us,” Yusril said, as reported by state news agency Antara. He emphasized that such false information campaigns target not only the country’s political landscape but also its economic stability.

While specific details of the proposed regulation have not been officially disclosed, Yusril noted that many countries have already implemented similar legislation to safeguard their national interests, suggesting Indonesia is following international precedents.

An academic manuscript that serves as the foundation for the draft bill has been circulating among journalists, providing insights into the government’s reasoning. The document argues that existing regulations addressing disinformation are fragmented and insufficient to tackle the issue comprehensively.

The manuscript describes disinformation as an “organized and systemic phenomenon” involving “networks of fake accounts, bots, monetized misleading content and cross-border information operations.” It warns that such misinformation presents significant threats to democracy, public order, and national security.

Rather than targeting individual speech, the proposed legislation appears to focus on governing the broader information ecosystem. Its scope would reportedly extend to both digital and traditional media platforms, including social media networks, broadcasting institutions, and organized actors such as paid “buzzers” or influencers who often shape public discourse in Indonesia’s vibrant but sometimes chaotic social media landscape.

The bill would also address systemic disinformation operations, particularly those that cross international borders—suggesting the government is concerned about foreign influence campaigns targeting Indonesia.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy and most populous democracy, has struggled with waves of online disinformation, particularly during election periods. The country’s high internet penetration rate and active social media usage have created fertile ground for the rapid spread of false information.

However, rights groups have expressed concerns that such regulations could potentially be misused to silence legitimate criticism of government policies. Indonesia has previously faced criticism for using existing electronic information laws to target political opponents and critics.

Digital rights organizations operating in Indonesia point out that the line between combating harmful misinformation and restricting legitimate free speech can be difficult to define in legislation. They worry vague definitions of “disinformation” or “propaganda” could lead to selective enforcement against government critics.

The proposed legislation comes at a time when several countries in Southeast Asia, including Singapore and Malaysia, have implemented similar laws aimed at combating fake news, with varying degrees of controversy regarding their implementation and impact on civil liberties.

The Indonesian government appears to be positioning the bill as a measure to protect national interests rather than restrict speech, emphasizing the systematic nature of disinformation campaigns that it says undermine the country’s development and international standing.

As the draft moves through the legislative process, stakeholders including media organizations, tech companies, and civil society groups will likely seek opportunities to provide input on its provisions to ensure protections for legitimate speech while addressing genuine concerns about orchestrated disinformation campaigns.