Cancel Culture: Perspective of Social Media Team

Cancel culture is a relatively new social media phenomenon in Indonesia that targets not only individuals but also institutions and has become more visible as political tensions rise ahead of elections. This analysis examines how social media management teams respond to this phenomenon. Based on interviews with 17 teams from public institutions and political public figures, most adopt a passive stance: cancel culture is viewed as a minor threat, and negative comments are treated as an expression of citizens’ freedom of speech. At the same time, participants recognize the need for clearer, well-defined strategies to deal with cancel culture. As frontline actors in the digital sphere, social media teams play a key role in how digital tools and online networks shape public opinion. Their responses indicate both the limits and the potential for fostering a more balanced, inclusive, and constructive digital landscape in Indonesia.