@article{digilib49111,
          volume = {13},
          number = {1},
           title = {Pandemic politics and communication crisis How social media buzzers impaired the lockdown aspiration in Indonesia},
          author = {- Iswandi Syahputra and - Rajab Ritonga and - Diah Ajeng Purwani and - Masduki and - Syarifah Ema Rahmaniah and - Umaimah Wahid},
            year = {2021},
           pages = {31--46},
         journal = {SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research},
        keywords = {buzzer, crisis communication, lockdown, new media, COVID-19 pandemic},
             url = {https://digilib.uin-suka.ac.id/id/eprint/49111/},
        abstract = {This study looks at the communication on social media in the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, specifically between the aspirations of citizens wishing for a lockdown and buzzers on Twitter rejecting it. Primary data of the study were obtained via interviews with three netizens who are social media activists. They were: CPL, an influencer on Twitter with 135,000 followers; HSW, a media literacy activist; and HA, a blogger. They were selected based on their influence and activities on social media as well as accessibility. The study identified two major findings: first, the public (netizens) via conversations on Twitter wanted the government to implement a lockdown at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the government disregarded this call by utilising buzzers on social media. In practice, these buzzers cyberbullied netizens who requested for a lockdown. Consequently, netizens became polarised between those supporting and opposing a lockdown. This triggered a communication crisis as it led to loss of trust in the government as it did not meet public expectations. Secondly, the government?s use of buzzers to shoot down calls for a lockdown positioned them as an apparatus in the crisis communication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in the emergence of ?buzzer regime? and ?buzzer state? . Buzzers are a part of the government?s informal apparatus that engage in activities on social media to repress netizens who hold opposing views against the government.}
}