The study examines the impact of social media election campaigning, disinformation, and election propaganda on Indonesian voters’ perceptions and behaviors, focusing on the 2024 presidential election. It explores how social media platforms, chat messaging apps, and traditional Election Result Task Force (ERTF) reporting influence voter trust and election outcomes. The research highlights the role of social media as the primary source of election-related information and the challenges of navigating disinformation and election propaganda. A key finding is that while traditional media like television and direct conversations with friends and family remain the most influential sources of election-related news, social media accounts, particularly TikTok, are often seen as less trusted by younger voters. However, the study underscores that young voters, particularly in the 15–24 age group, spend more time engaging with TikTok than with traditional sources. Despite this, younger voters exhibit uncertainty and skepticism about disinformation and election campaigns due to their high engagement with social media and their reliance on trusted media.
The research also reveals that disinformation and election propaganda are not easily susceptible to influencing loyal voters, as their acceptance or rejection of content often depends on personal beliefs, political allegiances, and personality traits. However, there is significant evidence of a connection between exposure to disinformation and the recency of votes. For swing voters who were previously undecided or believed to align with a particular candidate, changes in their views on election messages have been shown to alter their voting intentions. This suggests that deepfakes and the نوعling nature of deception play a significant role in the election narrative and voter behavior.
In conclusion, the Indonesian population exhibits a relatively high level of resilience in identifying and trusting election-related information, yet there are persistent challenges in navigating disinformation and deepfakes. The study provides valuable insights into how social media platforms can be leveraged to counteract the spread of false narratives while ensuring voter trust. These findings have important implications for election campaign strategies, election integrity, and public opinion management in Indonesia. A deeper understanding of these challenges can help improve conventions with the significance of confirmation bias and the role of social media in shaping voter perceptions. By addressing issues such as deception, deepfakes, and interpretation, Indonesian elections can become more transparent and free from the pervasive influence of artificial information. The publication of this book will be a valuable resource for policymakers and election professionals seeking actionable strategies to combat disinformation and deepen voter trust in election processes.