Narrative of Identity Politics in the 2024 Presidential Elections of the Republic of Indonesia: Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This research investigates the effects of social media on the quality and functioning of democracy in Indonesia, especially in relation to the 2017 DKI Governor Election and the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Social media is a vital platform for political participation, mobilization and expression, as it enables citizens to access information, voice their opinions and engage with diverse perspectives. However, social media also poses risks and challenges for democracy, as it can be used to manipulate public opinion, spread misinformation and incite violence.
 
 Theoritical framework: The influence of negative campaigns on voting behavior and political participation has also been a focus of research, with studies analyzing the impact of campaign narratives and media attention on election outcomes. In this context, many studies have highlighted how campaigns dominated by negative narratives can influence voters' opinions and attitudes. Negative campaigns tend to focus attention on the weaknesses and defects of political opponents, often leading to polarization and dissatisfaction with the political process as a whole. Apart from that, the role of the media in strengthening or balancing the campaign narrative is also an important aspect to be researched. The mass media has great power in strengthening the narratives conveyed by candidates and political parties through the coverage, analysis and opinions they convey to the public. In this case, media attention to certain campaign narratives can influence voter perceptions and preferences.
 
 Methods: The research examines how social media was used by different political actors and groups to support or oppose Anies Baswedan, who was a candidate for the governor of DKI Jakarta in 2017 and is now a presidential candidate backed by the Nasdem Party, PKB and PKS. The research also analyzes the impact of social media on the political culture and values of the Indonesian society, as well as the opportunities and limitations for enhancing democratic accountability and transparency through social media. The data collection methods include interviews, document analysis and internet-based sources and social media from 2016 to 2017
 
 Result & Conclusion: The research findings show that social media has both positive and negative effects on democracy, as it can foster civic engagement, deliberation and pluralism, but also create polarization, distrust and intolerance. Social media is the third most popular medium for spreading campaign content, after television and newspapers. The campaign content in the 2017 DKI Governor election was then used in a national context to undermine Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate, who was backed by the Nasdem Party and PKB, who were his political adversaries in the 2017 DKI Jakarta Governor election.
 
 Research Implications: Highlights the importance of responsible social media strategies to support democracy, recommending enhanced digital literacy and content regulation.
 
 Originality/Value: Provides a unique analysis of the impact of social media on political elections in Indonesia, offering insights into changing campaign strategies and socio-political interactions.