Shadows of Censorship: Indonesia’s Content Moderation Policy Development
Penulis
Muhammad Nidhal
Rasya Athalla Aaron
Indonesia’s content moderation framework, governed by MOCI Regulation No. 5/2020, is often criticized for its lack of transparency, inconsistent enforcement, and broad legal definitions that risk overreach and censorship if applied indiscriminately.
While efforts have been made to enhance the clarity of content moderation implementation, the framework outlined in MOCI Decree No. 522/2024 leaves considerable room for improvement, particularly regarding security, transparency, accountability, and the dual authority over content moderation.
The rollout of the SAMAN system introduces additional content moderation measures at a time when Indonesia’s startup ecosystem is facing a critical funding downturn, with investments dropping from USD 10.9 billion (IDR 174 trillion) in 2021 to just USD 800 million (IDR 13 trillion) in 2024.
In Indonesia, deliberate state interference over the internet takes several forms, including total shutdown, internet throttling, and service blocking, with an estimated economic impact of a one-day total shutdown costing USD 53 million (IDR 848 billion) in GDP losses, while blocking online services for the same duration led to a USD 7 million (IDR 112 billion) loss.
To balance the imperative of tackling harmful online content while safeguarding fundamental rights and accounting for local context, Indonesian policymakers should adopt a more balanced, transparent, and nuanced approach. This entails shifting from censorship-driven measures to a rights-focused approach; establishing unambiguous content definitions while following due process; improving the SAMAN system for consistent enforcement; fostering meaningful co-governance with relevant stakeholders; and committing to greater transparency and public oversight.
Aldrich Alfarisi
