DIGITAL NARRATIVES ON PAPUA AND ACEH: A DESCRIPTIVE SECURITIZATION AND FRAMING ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Abstract

Securitization theory explains how an issue is made to appear as a major threat requiring extraordinary handling, but not how competing publics frame and contest such issues on social media. This descriptive study examines recent issues concerning Papua and Aceh on social media using securitization theory, complemented by framing analysis. The data used comes from Reportica media monitoring, consisting of 641 pieces of content on Papua (July 14 to August 12, 2026) and 2.6 thousand conversations on Aceh (August 9 to 16, 2026), analyzed separately because they differ in collection method and level of detail. Papua-related discourse is dominated by negative sentiment (55.4%), with “papua merdeka” (free Papua) appearing most frequently. However, the most widely shared narrative condemns violence by separatist groups rather than criticizing the government. In Aceh, the raising of the Bulan Bintang flag during the 21st commemoration of Aceh Peace Day triggered 1.4 thousand conversations in a single day and five competing framing directions, while the media intelligence system gave near-identical security recommendations to almost every issue cluster, including small, symbolic ones. In both cases, criticism of development-policy negligence shows the most negative sentiment, although its volume is relatively small. Through securitization theory, these patterns can be read, in Papua, alongside prior arguments that state securitization has not stopped the violence, and in Aceh, as a monitoring system securitizing even symbolic issues. This study remains descriptive and interpretive. It does not establish causal effects, measure audience reactions, or statistically compare the two regions.