Tuesday, April 29, 2025, was a truly memorable day for me. I had the special opportunity to attend a book discussion on Social Media and Politics in Southeast Asia with its author, Prof. Merlyna Lim. The event took place at the Theatrical Room, 2nd Floor East Wing of GKU, Islamic University of Indonesia (UII). I am deeply grateful to Ibu Ratna Noviani for giving me the chance to attend, as I not only got to meet Prof. Merlyna in person but also learned directly from one of the leading experts in the field.
In the discussion, Prof. Merlyna explored how social media has become an inseparable part of political dynamics in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. She explained that social media is no longer just a communication tool—it has become a dynamic political space where information, opinion, and power intertwine. I was particularly drawn to her concept of the “mediated political space,” which refers to how digital media shapes the way we understand and engage in politics.
What resonated with me most was her call to be more critical of how algorithms silently influence our political choices. I felt compelled to further explore how power operates behind the scenes of digital media. The passionate and engaging discussions among the participants made the atmosphere even more vibrant. I left the event with a broadened perspective and a renewed awareness that digital literacy is a crucial part of today’s struggle to uphold our democracy.
Contributor: Arianus Yosephus Kiko (Student of Master’s Degree of KBM)