The Negative Effects of Political Buzzers on People's Communication Intelligence: A Case Study of the 2014–2024 Era in Indonesia
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study investigates the adverse impact of political buzzers on communication intelligence within Indonesian society during the 2014–2024 period. Political buzzers, typically anonymous digital actors affiliated with political elites, have emerged as powerful manipulators of public discourse through disinformation, emotional provocation, and identity-based polarization. Utilizing a qualitative case study methodology, this research employs critical discourse analysis, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews to explore how sustained exposure to buzzer-driven content degrades critical thinking, discourages dialogical tolerance, and undermines the epistemic foundations necessary for democratic engagement. The findings demonstrate that buzzers deploy binary framing, fabricate consensus, and target dissenters with delegitimizing rhetoric, resulting in weakened public reasoning and increased cynicism. These effects are unevenly distributed across regions and demographics: while urban citizens exhibit media fatigue and withdrawal, rural populations remain more susceptible to disinformation. The study situates these dynamics within broader theoretical frameworks on communicative rationality and network propaganda, extending the discussion to include the cognitive and ethical dimensions of political discourse manipulation. This research contributes to interdisciplinary scholarship on digital politics and democratic resilience by foregrounding the concept of communication intelligence—an underexplored but essential faculty for informed participation in contemporary democracies. It concludes with a call for structural and cultural reforms, including the institutionalization of media literacy, platform regulation, the promotion of ethical digital norms, and the strengthening of civil society dialogue forums. These measures are imperative to counteract the corrosive influence of political buzzers and to restore a communication environment conducive to rational, ethical, and inclusive democratic deliberation.
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How to Cite
Siregar, I. (2025). The Negative Effects of Political Buzzers on People’s Communication Intelligence: A Case Study of the 2014–2024 Era in Indonesia. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 5(2), 116-126. https://doi.org/10.33258/polit.v5i2.1303
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References
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Korompot, C., Siregar, I., Khursanov, N., Abdullaev, D., & Mohamed, K. (2024). Investigating Gender DIF in the Reading Comprehension Section of the B2 First Exam. International Journal of Language Testing, (), 57-66. doi: 10.22034/ijlt.2023.421011.1301
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Nugroho, Y., & Siregar, R. (2020). Buzzers and Post-Truth Politics in Indonesia: Digital Media as Political Infrastructure. Journal of Southeast Asian Media Studies, 4(1), 22–40.
Pangaribuan, R. E., Siregar, I., & Susanto, A. (2025). TINDAK TUTUR EKSPRESIF DALAM SERIAL FILM NANTI KITA CERITA TENTANG HARI INI PADA YOUTUBE KANAL TOYOTA INDONESIA: KAJIAN PRAGMATIK. J-Simbol: Jurnal Magister Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra Indonesia, 13(1, April), 208–225.
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Pennycook, G., & Rand, D. G. (2019). The Implied Truth Effect: Attaching Warnings to a Subset of Fake News Headlines Increases Perceived Accuracy of Headlines Without Warnings. Management Science, 66(11), 4944–4957. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2019.3478
Putri, O. M., Siregar, I., & Rachmawati, K. (2024). Semantic analysis in understanding and maintaining Betawi cultural identity through the bikin rume traditional ceremonial process. Putri | Budapest International Research and Critics in Linguistics and Education (BirLE) Journal. https://doi.org/10.33258/birle.v7i1.7806
Sastramidjaja, Y., & Hiariej, E. (2021). Buzzing Democracy: Political Buzzers, Disinformation, and the Manufacturing of Consent in Indonesia. Asia Pacific Media Educator, 31(2), 235–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/1326365X21994400
Siregar, I. (2024). A Phenomenological Critique of Darwin’s Theory of Human Origins and Its Cultural Implications. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(1), 51-61.
Siregar, I. (2024). Assessing Religious Obligations: A Phenomenological Approach to Value and Legal Perspectives. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.33258/polit.v4i1.1016
Siregar, I. (2024). Effectiveness of Multisensory Therapy in Treating Communication Barriers and Social Isolation in Transcortical Aphasia Sufferers. SIASAT, 9(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.33258/siasat.v9i1.166
Siregar, I. (2024). Examining the Vulnerability of the Betawi Language through a Multidisciplinary Approach. Siregar | Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal). https://doi.org/10.33258/birci.v7i1.7857
Siregar, I. (2024). New strategies in Applied Linguistic Research for health therapy. Budapest International Research and Critics in Linguistics and Education (BirLE) Journal, 7–7(2), 95A-106A. https://doi.org/10.33258/birle.v7i2.7937
Siregar, I. (2024). Phenomenological Review of the Issue of Political Apathy of Indonesia’s Young Generation. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(2), 135-147. https://doi.org/10.33258/polit.v4i2.1159
Siregar, I. (2024). Research Methodology: A Comprehensif and Holistic Viewpoint. Jakarta: LPU-Unas
Siregar, I. (2024). Research methodology: a comprehensive and holistic viewpoint. Jakarta: LPU-Unas
Siregar, I. (2024). The Errors of the Democratic System According to Pancasila: A Critical Examination of Governance in Indonesia. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(2), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.33258/polit.v4i2.1158
Siregar, I., & Demidyuk, L. (2024). The Relations and Relevances of the Poda Na Lima Batak People’s Philosophy with Islamic Views. Kultura: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Sosial, Dan Humaniora, 2(4), 15–33. https://doi.org/10.572349/kultura.v2i4.879
Siregar, I., & Hsu, F. (2024). The Interplay of Cultural Dynamics within the Globalization Paradigm. Kultura: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Sosial, Dan Humaniora, 2(4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.572349/kultura.v2i4.657
Siregar, I., Anjani, S. D., & Yahaya, S. R. (2023). Projection of the Vitality of the Betawi Language in the Future Time in Jakarta. International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, 6(3), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2023.6.3.4
Siregar, I., Hamzah, N. H. (2024). Effectiveness of the Language Preservation Model in the Betawi Community. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9(1), 274-283. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.32601/ejal.901023
Siregar, I., Kiesner , R., & Aesnring , B. (2024). A CULTURAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE ON PREMIUM GROG. Kultura: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Sosial, Dan Humaniora, 2(4), 69–79. https://doi.org/10.572349/kultura.v2i4.1199
Siregar, I., Purnama , A. R., & Xien li , X. (2024). TRANSFORMATION OF THE MEANING OF THE WORD "DOG" IN THE WIDE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT. Kultura: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Sosial, Dan Humaniora, 2(4), 80–87. https://doi.org/10.572349/kultura.v2i4.1200
Siregar, I., Purnama, A. R., & Gual, A. (2024). Changing conceptions of “Anjing - dogs” in contemporary social contexts. Siregar | Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal). https://doi.org/10.33258/birci.v7i1.7858
Siregar, I., Yahaya, S. R. (2023). Model and Approaches to Preserving Betawi Language as an Endangered Language. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9(1), 274-283. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.32601/ejal.901023
Siregar. I. (2024). An Exploration of Online Behavior of Asian and European Netizens: A Conceptual Phenomenological Comparative Review. SIASAT, 9(1), 15-27. https://doi.org/10.33258/siasat.v9i1.167
SS Wahyuni, I Siregar, K Rachmawati, NH Hamzah. (2024). Written Language Errors Of Dysgraphic Children Aged 9-12 Years In Inclusive Classrooms. Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, Dan Sastra, 10(3), 3420-3430. https://doi.org/10.30605/onoma.v10i3.4126
Sunstein, C. R. (2018). #Republic: Divided Democracy in the Age of Social Media. Princeton University Press.
Tapsell, R. (2020). Weaponizing the Internet: Fake News, Disinformation, and Political Influence in Southeast Asia. Journal of Asian Studies, 79(3), 607–617. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021911820000756
Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., & Aral, S. (2018). The Spread of True and False News Online. Science, 359(6380), 1146–1151. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aap9559
Wahyuni, S. S., Siregar, I., Rachmawati, K., Hamzah, N. H., & Yahaya, S. R. (2025). Kesalahan Bahasa Tulis Anak Disgrafia Umur 9 – 12 Tahun Siswa di Kelas Inklusi SDN Parakan 01. Stilistika: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra, 18(1), 191–202. https://doi.org/10.30651/st.v18i1.23343
Wardani, E. T., Siregar, I., Susanto, A., & Hamzah, N. H. (2024). Strategies and Role of Parents on Language Acquisition of Children with Special Needs. Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, Dan Sastra, 10(3), 3431-3440. https://doi.org/10.30605/onoma.v10i3.4130
Wardani, E. T., Siregar, I., Susanto, A., Hamzah, N. H., & Yahya, S. R. (2025). Strategi dan Peranan Orang Tua terhadap Pemerolehan Bahasa ABK dalam Komunitas Masyarakat Betawi. Stilistika: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra, 18(1), 131–146. https://doi.org/10.30651/st.v18i1.23371
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Benkler, Y., Faris, R., & Roberts, H. (2018). Network Propaganda: Manipulation, Disinformation, and Radicalization in American Politics. Oxford University Press.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Fairclough, N. (1995). Critical Discourse Analysis: The Critical Study of Language. Longman.
Ghaisani, A., Siregar, I., & Susanto, A. (2024). The existence and Meaning of Betawi dance in Setu Babakan: a Social Semiotic study. Ghaisani | Budapest International Research and Critics in Linguistics and Education (BirLE) Journal. https://doi.org/10.33258/birle.v7i1.7805
Habermas, J. (1984). The Theory of Communicative Action, Volume One: Reason and the Rationalization of Society (T. McCarthy, Trans.). Beacon Press.
Korompot, C., Siregar, I., Khursanov, N., Abdullaev, D., & Mohamed, K. (2024). Investigating Gender DIF in the Reading Comprehension Section of the B2 First Exam. International Journal of Language Testing, (), 57-66. doi: 10.22034/ijlt.2023.421011.1301
Kurnia, N., & Wulandari, A. (2022). Political Communication in the Era of Digital Disinformation: Case Studies from Indonesia. Journal of Media and Society, 10(2), 134–151.
Lim, M. (2017). Freedom to Hate: Social Media, Algorithmic Enclaves, and the Rise of Tribal Nationalism in Indonesia. Critical Asian Studies, 49(3), 411–427. https://doi.org/10.1080/14672715.2017.1341188
Nugroho, Y., & Siregar, R. (2020). Buzzers and Post-Truth Politics in Indonesia: Digital Media as Political Infrastructure. Journal of Southeast Asian Media Studies, 4(1), 22–40.
Pangaribuan, R. E., Siregar, I., & Susanto, A. (2025). TINDAK TUTUR EKSPRESIF DALAM SERIAL FILM NANTI KITA CERITA TENTANG HARI INI PADA YOUTUBE KANAL TOYOTA INDONESIA: KAJIAN PRAGMATIK. J-Simbol: Jurnal Magister Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra Indonesia, 13(1, April), 208–225.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life. Pearson Education.
Pennycook, G., & Rand, D. G. (2019). The Implied Truth Effect: Attaching Warnings to a Subset of Fake News Headlines Increases Perceived Accuracy of Headlines Without Warnings. Management Science, 66(11), 4944–4957. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2019.3478
Putri, O. M., Siregar, I., & Rachmawati, K. (2024). Semantic analysis in understanding and maintaining Betawi cultural identity through the bikin rume traditional ceremonial process. Putri | Budapest International Research and Critics in Linguistics and Education (BirLE) Journal. https://doi.org/10.33258/birle.v7i1.7806
Sastramidjaja, Y., & Hiariej, E. (2021). Buzzing Democracy: Political Buzzers, Disinformation, and the Manufacturing of Consent in Indonesia. Asia Pacific Media Educator, 31(2), 235–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/1326365X21994400
Siregar, I. (2024). A Phenomenological Critique of Darwin’s Theory of Human Origins and Its Cultural Implications. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(1), 51-61.
Siregar, I. (2024). Assessing Religious Obligations: A Phenomenological Approach to Value and Legal Perspectives. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.33258/polit.v4i1.1016
Siregar, I. (2024). Effectiveness of Multisensory Therapy in Treating Communication Barriers and Social Isolation in Transcortical Aphasia Sufferers. SIASAT, 9(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.33258/siasat.v9i1.166
Siregar, I. (2024). Examining the Vulnerability of the Betawi Language through a Multidisciplinary Approach. Siregar | Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal). https://doi.org/10.33258/birci.v7i1.7857
Siregar, I. (2024). New strategies in Applied Linguistic Research for health therapy. Budapest International Research and Critics in Linguistics and Education (BirLE) Journal, 7–7(2), 95A-106A. https://doi.org/10.33258/birle.v7i2.7937
Siregar, I. (2024). Phenomenological Review of the Issue of Political Apathy of Indonesia’s Young Generation. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(2), 135-147. https://doi.org/10.33258/polit.v4i2.1159
Siregar, I. (2024). Research Methodology: A Comprehensif and Holistic Viewpoint. Jakarta: LPU-Unas
Siregar, I. (2024). Research methodology: a comprehensive and holistic viewpoint. Jakarta: LPU-Unas
Siregar, I. (2024). The Errors of the Democratic System According to Pancasila: A Critical Examination of Governance in Indonesia. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(2), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.33258/polit.v4i2.1158
Siregar, I., & Demidyuk, L. (2024). The Relations and Relevances of the Poda Na Lima Batak People’s Philosophy with Islamic Views. Kultura: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Sosial, Dan Humaniora, 2(4), 15–33. https://doi.org/10.572349/kultura.v2i4.879
Siregar, I., & Hsu, F. (2024). The Interplay of Cultural Dynamics within the Globalization Paradigm. Kultura: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Sosial, Dan Humaniora, 2(4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.572349/kultura.v2i4.657
Siregar, I., Anjani, S. D., & Yahaya, S. R. (2023). Projection of the Vitality of the Betawi Language in the Future Time in Jakarta. International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, 6(3), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2023.6.3.4
Siregar, I., Hamzah, N. H. (2024). Effectiveness of the Language Preservation Model in the Betawi Community. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9(1), 274-283. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.32601/ejal.901023
Siregar, I., Kiesner , R., & Aesnring , B. (2024). A CULTURAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE ON PREMIUM GROG. Kultura: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Sosial, Dan Humaniora, 2(4), 69–79. https://doi.org/10.572349/kultura.v2i4.1199
Siregar, I., Purnama , A. R., & Xien li , X. (2024). TRANSFORMATION OF THE MEANING OF THE WORD "DOG" IN THE WIDE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT. Kultura: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Sosial, Dan Humaniora, 2(4), 80–87. https://doi.org/10.572349/kultura.v2i4.1200
Siregar, I., Purnama, A. R., & Gual, A. (2024). Changing conceptions of “Anjing - dogs” in contemporary social contexts. Siregar | Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal). https://doi.org/10.33258/birci.v7i1.7858
Siregar, I., Yahaya, S. R. (2023). Model and Approaches to Preserving Betawi Language as an Endangered Language. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9(1), 274-283. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.32601/ejal.901023
Siregar. I. (2024). An Exploration of Online Behavior of Asian and European Netizens: A Conceptual Phenomenological Comparative Review. SIASAT, 9(1), 15-27. https://doi.org/10.33258/siasat.v9i1.167
SS Wahyuni, I Siregar, K Rachmawati, NH Hamzah. (2024). Written Language Errors Of Dysgraphic Children Aged 9-12 Years In Inclusive Classrooms. Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, Dan Sastra, 10(3), 3420-3430. https://doi.org/10.30605/onoma.v10i3.4126
Sunstein, C. R. (2018). #Republic: Divided Democracy in the Age of Social Media. Princeton University Press.
Tapsell, R. (2020). Weaponizing the Internet: Fake News, Disinformation, and Political Influence in Southeast Asia. Journal of Asian Studies, 79(3), 607–617. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021911820000756
Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., & Aral, S. (2018). The Spread of True and False News Online. Science, 359(6380), 1146–1151. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aap9559
Wahyuni, S. S., Siregar, I., Rachmawati, K., Hamzah, N. H., & Yahaya, S. R. (2025). Kesalahan Bahasa Tulis Anak Disgrafia Umur 9 – 12 Tahun Siswa di Kelas Inklusi SDN Parakan 01. Stilistika: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra, 18(1), 191–202. https://doi.org/10.30651/st.v18i1.23343
Wardani, E. T., Siregar, I., Susanto, A., & Hamzah, N. H. (2024). Strategies and Role of Parents on Language Acquisition of Children with Special Needs. Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, Dan Sastra, 10(3), 3431-3440. https://doi.org/10.30605/onoma.v10i3.4130
Wardani, E. T., Siregar, I., Susanto, A., Hamzah, N. H., & Yahya, S. R. (2025). Strategi dan Peranan Orang Tua terhadap Pemerolehan Bahasa ABK dalam Komunitas Masyarakat Betawi. Stilistika: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra, 18(1), 131–146. https://doi.org/10.30651/st.v18i1.23371
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.