FENOMENA NO VIRAL, NO JUSTICE DALAM PENEGAKAN HUKUM DI INDONESIA: KAJIAN SOSIOLOGI HUKUM TERHADAP PERAN MEDIA SOSIAL SEBAGAI KONTROL SOSIAL

Andi Aina Ilmih (Universitas Islam Sultan Agung Semarang)
Ridho Choirul Umam (Universitas Islam Sultan Agung Semarang)

Jurnal Riset Multidisiplin Edukasi
Vol. 3 No. 10 (2026): Jurnal Riset Multidisiplin Edukasi (Oktober 2026)

The development of social media has transformed patterns of interaction between society and law enforcement institutions, one manifestation of which is the emergence of the No Viral, No Justice phenomenon in Indonesia. This phenomenon reflects the public perception that legal cases tend to receive greater attention and more substantial responses after going viral on social media. This study aims to analyze the role of social media as an instrument of social control in law enforcement, particularly in promoting public accountability and identifying the challenges it poses to the principle of due process of law. This research employs a qualitative method using a library research approach and document analysis. Data were collected from books, scholarly journal articles, legislation, official documents issued by state institutions, and online case documentation. The data were analyzed descriptively and analytically through the perspective of legal sociology, particularly Donald Black’s social control theory, Lawrence M. Friedman’s legal system theory, and Jürgen Habermas’s public sphere theory. The findings indicate that social media functions as a form of informal social control that enables the public to express their aspirations, shape public opinion, monitor the actions of law enforcement officials, and encourage transparency and accountability within law enforcement institutions. However, virality also has the potential to generate public opinion pressure, create disparities in the level of attention given to legal cases, and encourage practices of trial by social media and digital vigilantism, which may threaten the objectivity of legal proceedings and the protection of individual rights. This study concludes that social media can serve as an instrument of social control that supports law enforcement when used critically and responsibly. Therefore, public participation must be balanced with the professionalism of law enforcement institutions and respect for the principle of due process of law.