Al'Adalah
Vol. 28 No. 1 (2025)

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

Zaimina, Ach Barocky (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
11 Aug 2025

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.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

aladalah

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Education Social Sciences

Description

This journal aims to publish original research articles on Islam and Muslims, especially Islamic thoughts, doctrines, and practices oriented toward moderation, egalitarianism, and humanity. The journal articles cover integrated topics on Islamic issues, including Islamic philosophy and theology, ...