The Fifth Estate and Netizen Power: Analyzing the Digital Activism of Anak Abah in Indonesia’s Democratic Discourse
Article / Journal
Author(s) / editor(s):
Muhammad Iqbal Sultan
,
Ratnawaty Syahrir
,
Syamsudin Aziz
Year: 2026
Language(s): English
Abstract:
The study examines digital activism by the Anak Abah netizen group supporting Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan in 2024, analysing how their social media practices shape collective identity and political participation. Using thematic analysis and drawing on new media and social identity theory, it shows how hashtags, visuals and emotional narratives turn platforms into an alternative public sphere that both mobilises support and risks deepening polarization and misinformation. The author proposes a “digital narrative mobilization” framework that links affective storytelling, identity anchoring and digital resource use to explain contemporary collective identity formation.
https://doi.org/10.15206/ajpor.2026.14.1.70
Post created by: Virginia Signorini