Eradicating Terrorist Networks on Social Media: Case Studies of Indonesia

Abstract

AbstractThis study aims to analyze the countermeasures of terrorism in Indonesia through the social media function. Social media is a means of terrorism network to spread radical views and recruit new members. Through the BNPT (National Counterterrorism Agency), the Indonesian Government carries out government tasks in counterterrorism. This research will look at the social media function of BNPT in countering terrorism. This study uses the Q-DAS (Qualitative Data Analysis Software) method approach. The results showed that Twitter’s social media role could be a strategic tool to counter terrorists and destroy the narrative of radicalism in social media. The Indonesian Government, through the BNPT, has taken an information dissemination approach related to understanding radicalism and preventing the spread of radicalism on social media. Prevention is carried out by disseminating narrative information to strengthen unity through hashtags and content, inviting the public to work together with the Government to tackle terrorism. Content information delivered on BNPT social media has shifted the issue of terrorism content to Covid19; in substance, the BNPT account still functions as disseminating information on the prevention and countermeasures of terrorism. Also, BNPT’s strategy in optimizing social media Twitter is collaborating with social media accounts of government agencies, state security tools (TNI, Police of the Republic of Indonesia), and mass media as partners in publishing information to the public.KeywordsNational Agency for Contra Terrorism (BNPT)TerrorismSocial mediaCommunication