Addressing digital religious polarization: Policy analysis of religious moderation narratives on Indonesian government social media

Addressing digital religious polarization: Policy analysis of religious moderation narratives on Indonesian government social media

Authors
  • Ach Barocky Zaimina
    UIN Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq Jember, Indonesia
Keywords
religious moderation, post-truth, digital public sphere, participatory public diplomacy
Abstract

This article examines how Indonesian state institutions construct and communicate narratives of religious moderation in a contested digital public sphere. Focusing on the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) and the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT), the study employs a descriptive qualitative design that integrates digital observation of official Instagram, X/Twitter, and YouTube accounts from January to December 2024, analysis of policy documents and institutional reports, and semi-structured interviews with policymakers and social-media administrators. Data are analysed through content and framing analysis, as well as interview-based thematic coding with triangulation. Findings indicate that state messaging is dominated by normative, declarative, and largely one-way communication, which is associated with weaker dialogic engagement and recurrent scepticism in comment spaces. By contrast, personal testimonies, lived-experience narratives, and non-patronising visual rhetoric receive more favourable reactions and lower resistance. Emotional appeal, contextual relevance, and a personal approach emerge as key determinants of constructive uptake, whereas limited responsiveness and broadcast-style posting amplify disengagement. The article links these reception patterns to post-truth dynamics and conceptualises monologic digital communication as a governance effect. It concludes that participatory public diplomacy, centred on co-creation with trusted intermediaries and institutionalised listening, provides an operational pathway to strengthen digital religious resilience.

References

Abusharif, I. N. (2024). Religious Knowledge Production and Digital Affordances. Journal of Islamic and Muslim Studies, 9(1), 108–114. https://doi.org/10.2979/jims.00030 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2979/jims.00030

Ahen, F. (2019). Futures of new post-truth: New research frontiers on disturbingly fascinating pathologies affecting information dissemination and knowledge production. Foresight, 21(5), 563–581. https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-10-2018-0088 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-10-2018-0088

Ajjawi, R., & Boud, D. (2018). Examining the nature and effects of feedback dialogue. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 43(7), 1106–1119. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2018.1434128 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2018.1434128

Al-Zaman, M. S., & Alimi, M. Y. (2021). Islam, Religious Confrontation and Hoaxes in the Digital Public Sphere: Comparison of Bangladesh and Indonesia. Komunitas, 13(2), 206–233. https://doi.org/10.15294/komunitas.v13i2.27223 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15294/komunitas.v13i2.27223

Anderson, J. W. (2003). New Media, New Publics: Reconfiguring the Public Sphere of Islam. Social Research: An International Quarterly, 70(3), 887–906. https://doi.org/10.1353/sor.2003.0051 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/sor.2003.0051

Andok, M. (2024). The Impact of Online Media on Religious Authority. Religions, 15(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091103 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091103

Arenggoasih, W., & Wijayanti, C. R. (2020). Pesan Kementerian Agama dalam moderasi melalui media sosial Instagram. Jurnal Jurnalisa, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.24252/jurnalisa.v6i1.13783

Arifah, I. D. C., Maureen, I. Y., Rofik, A., Puspila, N. K. W., Erifiawan, H., & Mariyamidayati. (2025). Social Media Platforms in Managing Polarization, Echo Chambers, and Misinformation Risk in Interreligious Dialogue among Young Generation. https://doi.org/10.1163/29502683-bja00011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/29502683-bja00011

Ayu, A. M., Shabirah, S., & Putri, A. A. (2025). Penggunaan media sosial instagram sebagai sarana promosi program derakalisasi oleh BNPT di indonesia. Jurnal Netnografi Komunikasi, 4(2), 154–167. https://doi.org/10.59408/jnk.v4i2.120 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59408/jnk.v4i2.120

Barylo, W. (2017). Young Muslim Change-Makers: Grassroots Charities Rethinking Modern Societies (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315166995 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315166995-1

Beausoleil, E. (2021). Listening obliquely: Listening as norm and strategy for structural justice. Contemporary Political Theory, 20(1), 23–47. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41296-020-00405-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41296-020-00405-5

Benson, R. (2009). Shaping the Public Sphere: Habermas and Beyond. The American Sociologist, 40(3), 175–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-009-9071-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-009-9071-4

Bjola, C., Cassidy, J., & Manor, I. (2019). Public Diplomacy in the Digital Age. The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 14(1–2), 83–101. https://doi.org/10.1163/1871191X-14011032 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/1871191X-14011032

Bohman, J. (2004). Expanding Dialogue: The Internet, the Public Sphere and Prospects for Transnational Democracy. The Sociological Review, 52(1_suppl), 131–155. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-954X.2004.00477.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-954X.2004.00477.x

Brantner, C., Rodriguez-Amat, J., & Belinskaya, Y. (2021). Structures of the public sphere: Contested spaces as assembled interfaces. Media and Communication, 9(3), 16–27. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v9i3.3932 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v9i3.3932

Chadwick, A., & Stanyer, J. (2022). Deception as a Bridging Concept in the Study of Disinformation, Misinformation, and Misperceptions: Toward a Holistic Framework. Communication Theory, 32(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1093/ct/qtab019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ct/qtab019

Ciancio, G. (2024). Cultural policy and emotional clusters in the context of an organic crisis. Performing arts and emotions between top-down and bottom-up negotiations. European Journal of Cultural Management and Policy, 14, 13013. https://doi.org/10.3389/ejcmp.2024.13013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/ejcmp.2024.13013

Cowan, G., & Arsenault, A. (2008). Moving from Monologue to Dialogue to Collaboration: The Three Layers of Public Diplomacy. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 616(1), 10–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716207311863 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716207311863

Danisworo, T. G., Rahmatunissa, M., & Paskarina, C. (2024). Religious Moderation in Indonesia: Navigating Conflict and Pluralism through Agonistic Democracy. MUHARRIK: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Sosial, 7(2), 183–203. https://doi.org/10.37680/muharrik.v7i2.5625 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37680/muharrik.v7i2.5625

Dawson, P. (2020). Hashtag narrative: Emergent storytelling and affective publics in the digital age. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 23(6), 968–983. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367877920921417 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1367877920921417

Dean, A. J., Fielding, K. S., & Wilson, K. A. (2019). Building community support for coastal management—What types of messages are most effective? Environmental Science & Policy, 92, 161–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2018.11.026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2018.11.026

Di Martino, L. (2020). Conceptualising public diplomacy listening on social media. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, 16(2), 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-019-00135-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-019-00135-5

Duncombe, C. (2020). Social media and the visibility of horrific violence. International Affairs, 96(3), 609–629. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiaa055 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiaa055

Fadlallah, R., El-Jardali, F., Nomier, M., Hemadi, N., Arif, K., Langlois, E. V., & Akl, E. A. (2019). Using narratives to impact health policy-making: A systematic review. Health Research Policy and Systems, 17(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-019-0423-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-019-0423-4

Fisher, J. A. (2025). What We Talk About When We Talk About Insights from Interactive Digital Narratives. In M. C. Reyes & F. Nack (Eds.), Interactive Storytelling (pp. 70–80). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12408-1_5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12408-1_5

Foderaro, A., & Lorentzen, D. G. (2024). Traditional, dialogical and complex scholarly communication: Towards a renewed trust in science. Journal of Documentation, 80(6), 1313–1332. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-12-2023-0252 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-12-2023-0252

Fredman, S. (2020). Tolerating the Intolerant: Religious Freedom, Complicity, and the Right to Equality. Oxford Journal of Law and Religion, 9(2), 305–328. https://doi.org/10.1093/ojlr/rwaa017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ojlr/rwaa017

Gago, M. (2025). The power of storytelling: How to create narratives that move audiences to action. Journal of Brand Strategy, 14(1), 6–14. https://doi.org/10.69554/YRHL3067 DOI: https://doi.org/10.69554/YRHL3067

Graham, S. E. (2014). Emotion and Public Diplomacy: Dispositions in International Communications, Dialogue, and Persuasion1. International Studies Review, 16(4), 522–539. https://doi.org/10.1111/misr.12156 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/misr.12156

Gumuruh, A. R. (2023). Religious Moderation in The Context of Pancasila: A Study of Role and The Impact is Deep Maintaining Social Harmony. Islamika Inside: Jurnal Keislaman Dan Humaniora, 9(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.35719/islamikainside.v9i1.243 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35719/islamikainside.v9i1.243

Hadiyanto, A., Putri, K. Y. S., & Fazli, L. (2025). Religious moderation in Instagram: An Islamic interpretation perspective. Heliyon, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42816 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42816

Herrada-Lores, S., Palazón, M., Iniesta-Bonillo, M. Á., & Estrella-Ramón, A. (2024). The communication of sustainability on social media: The role of dialogical communication. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 19(2), 307–332. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIM-10-2023-0372 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIM-10-2023-0372

Hibbert, P., Callagher, L., Siedlok, F., Windahl, C., & Kim, H. S. (2019). (Engaging or Avoiding) Change Through Reflexive Practices. Journal of Management Inquiry, 28(2), 187–203. https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492617718089 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492617718089

Hinck, R. S., Hawthorne, H., & Hawthorne, J. (2018). Authoritarians don’t deliberate: Cultivating deliberation and resisting authoritarian tools in an age of global nationalism. Journal of Deliberative Democracy, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.16997/jdd.310 DOI: https://doi.org/10.16997/jdd.310

Hughey, M. W., & Daniels, J. (2013). Racist comments at online news sites: A methodological dilemma for discourse analysis. Media, Culture & Society, 35(3), 332–347. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443712472089 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443712472089

Kementerian Agama Indonesia. (2019). Moderasi Beragama (Cetakan pertama). Badan Litbang dan Diklat, Kementerian Agama RI.

KhosraviNik, M. (2022). Digital meaning-making across content and practice in social media critical discourse studies. Critical Discourse Studies, 19(2), 119–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405904.2020.1835683 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17405904.2020.1835683

Koningstein, M., & Azadegan, S. (2021). Participatory video for two-way communication in research for development. Action Research, 19(2), 218–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476750318762032 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1476750318762032

Kretschmer, T., Leiponen, A., Schilling, M., & Vasudeva, G. (2022). Platform ecosystems as meta-organizations: Implications for platform strategies. Strategic Management Journal, 43(3), 405–424. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3250 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3250

Louder, E., & Wyborn, C. (2020). Biodiversity narratives: Stories of the evolving conservation landscape. Environmental Conservation, 47(4), 251–259. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892920000387 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892920000387

Mangone, E. (2022). Narratives and Social Change: Social Reality in Contemporary Society. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94565-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94565-7

Matthes, J., & Kohring, M. (2008). The Content Analysis of Media Frames: Toward Improving Reliability and Validity. Journal of Communication, 58(2), 258–279. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2008.00384.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2008.00384.x

Mazumdar, B. T. (2024). Digital diplomacy: Internet-based public diplomacy activities or novel forms of public engagement? Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, 20(1), 24–43. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-021-00208-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-021-00208-4

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2013). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. SAGE Publications.

Murphy, C., Carew, P. J., & Stapleton, L. (2024). A human-centred systems manifesto for smart digital immersion in Industry 5.0: A case study of cultural heritage. AI & SOCIETY, 39(5), 2401–2416. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01693-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01693-2

Ochoa, C. S., Gadinger, F., & Yildiz, T. (2021). Surveillance under dispute: Conceptualising narrative legitimation politics. European Journal of International Security, 6(2), 210–232. https://doi.org/10.1017/eis.2020.23 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/eis.2020.23

Octavianne, H., Suhariadi, F., Mudzakkir, M. F., Trianto, D., & Chamdan, U. (2024). Identity Politics and Polarization in Contemporary Muslim Countries: The Impact of Elections, Social Media, and Global Dynamics. MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review, 3(2), 263–286. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v3i2.9909 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32332/vfb0zc94

Pansoni, S., & Gistri, G. (2025). Does the end justify the means? The persuasive power of emotions in charity advertising: a systematic literature review. Italian Journal of Marketing, 2025(2), 91–130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43039-025-00114-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43039-025-00114-0

Rajadesingan, A., Duran, C., Resnick, P., & Budak, C. (2021). “Walking Into a Fire Hoping You Don’t Catch”: Strategies and Designs to Facilitate Cross-Partisan Online Discussions. Proc. ACM Hum.-Comput. Interact., 5(CSCW2), 393:1-393:30. https://doi.org/10.1145/3479537 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3479537

Ratcliff, C. L., & Sun, Y. (2020). Overcoming Resistance Through Narratives: Findings from a Meta-Analytic Review. Human Communication Research, 46(4), 412–443. https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqz017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqz017

Rifki, L. R. R. (2025). Political of Religion in Digital Era: Analysis of Jean Baudrillard’s Thoughts. Jurnal Penelitian Keislaman, 21(1), 66–80. https://doi.org/10.20414/jpk.v21i1.12691 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20414/jpk.v21i1.12691

Rohid, N., Sugihartati, R., Suyanto, B., Susilo, D., & Zikri, A. (2025). Digital Activism in Contemporary Islamic Politics: A Critical Analysis of Social Media’s Impact on Islamic Movements. MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review, 4(1), 208–233. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v4i1.10159 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v4i1.10159

Rose, J., & Sæbø, Ø. (2010). Designing Deliberation Systems. The Information Society, 26(3), 228–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972241003712298 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01972241003712298

Sevignani, S. (2022). Digital Transformations and the Ideological Formation of the Public Sphere: Hegemonic, Populist, or Popular Communication? Theory, Culture & Society, 39(4), 91–109. https://doi.org/10.1177/02632764221103516 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02632764221103516

Sjoraida, D. F., Bakti, I., Nugraha, A. R., & Subekti, P. (2025). Negotiating Democracy Through Symbols and Social Media: A Thematic Analysis of Political Communication in West Java’s Indigenous Communities. Sage Open, 15(4), 21582440251405174. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251405174 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251405174

Teeny, J. D., Siev, J. J., Briñol, P., & Petty, R. E. (2021). A Review and Conceptual Framework for Understanding Personalized Matching Effects in Persuasion. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 31(2), 382–414. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcpy.1198 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcpy.1198

Trifita, A., Arif, M. C., & Zuhriyah, L. F. (2023). Contestation of moderate Islamic discourse in nu.or.id and muhammadiyah.or.id websites. KOMUNIKE: Jurnal Komunikasi Penyiaran Islam, 15(1), 15–36. https://doi.org/10.20414/jurkom.v15i1.7280 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20414/jurkom.v15i1.7280

von Sikorski, C. (2022). Visual polarisation: Examining the interplay of visual cues and media trust on the evaluation of political candidates. Journalism, 23(9), 1900–1918. https://doi.org/10.1177/1464884920987680 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1464884920987680

Widjanarko, P., Chusjairi, J. A., & Sunaryo. (2025). “Immunizing” communities: Social media and preventing/countering violent extremism initiatives by former terrorists. Frontiers in Communication, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1593509 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1593509

Wiener, A. (2017). A Theory of Contestation—A Concise Summary of Its Argument and Concepts. Polity, 49(1), 109–125. https://doi.org/10.1086/690100 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/690100

Wulur, L. E., Irfan, M., & Umairoh, F. (2025). Strategi Komunikasi Kementerian Agama RI di Instagram: Membangun Narasi Moderasi Beragama (2020-2024). Jurnal Intelek Insan Cendikia, 2(10), 17436–17453. https://jicnusantara.com/index.php/jiic/article/view/5290

Yusuf, M. Z., & Mutiara, D. (2022). Diseminasi Informasi Moderasi Beragama: Analisis Konten Website Kementerian Agama. Dialog, 45(1), 127–137. https://doi.org/10.47655/dialog.v45i1.535 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47655/dialog.v45i1.535

Zaid, B., Fedtke, J., Shin, D. D., Kadoussi, A. E., Ibahrine, M., Zaid, B., Fedtke, J., Shin, D. D., Kadoussi, A. E., & Ibahrine, M. (2022). Digital Islam and Muslim Millennials: How Social Media Influencers Reimagine Religious Authority and Islamic Practices. Religions, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13040335 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13040335

Zaluchu, S., Widodo, P., & Kriswanto, A. (2025). Conceptual reconstruction of religious moderation in the Indonesian context based on previous research: Bibliometric analysis. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 101552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101552 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101552

Cover Image
Downloads
Published
2025-08-11
Section
Articles
License

Copyright (c) 2025 Ach Barocky Zaimina

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Zaimina, A. B. (2025). Addressing digital religious polarization: Policy analysis of religious moderation narratives on Indonesian government social media. Al’Adalah, 28(1), 21-44. https://doi.org/10.35719/aladalah.v28i1.572