artificial intelligence

West Papuan activists are facing an escalating campaign of digital harassment, with deepfake videos increasingly used to discredit those who speak out against the Indonesian government. Koteka Wenda, daughter of United Liberation Movement for West Papua leader Benny Wenda, recently identified an AI-generated video of herself falsely criticizing a documentary about indigenous land rights. This trend of synthetic disinformation follows a pattern of state-linked activities documented by Amnesty International and researchers at the University of Melbourne, marking what activists describe as a new era of digital colonization.

Why are activists being targeted with deepfakes?

According to activists and human rights researchers, the use of AI-fabricated content serves as a political weapon to erode the credibility of government critics. Koteka Wenda noted that such videos are designed to mislead supporters by making it appear that a prominent activist has switched sides. Sydney-based activist Veronica Koman, who previously faced a deepfake depicting her in sexual acts and another falsely showing her praising the Indonesian government, suggests these operations require significant resources. Koman stated that only “state actors” possess the time and funding required to produce such targeted disinformation.

Did You Know? The practice of using disinformation to target West Papuan critics is considered by activists to be an extension of a long-standing information war that began in the 1960s, which initially involved strict bans on journalists entering the region.

How does this impact the conflict in West Papua?

The conflict in West Papua centers on a long-running dispute over whether the region should remain under Indonesian administration or transition to an independent state. Amnesty International’s report, Building up Imaginary Enemies, highlights how authorities and the military have deployed disinformation to justify repression and consolidate power. University of Melbourne associate professor Ken Setiawan described these tactics as “old wine in a new bottle,” noting that while the technology has shifted from traditional propaganda to AI, the core objective of silencing dissent remains consistent. The Indonesian military has generally denied allegations of human rights abuses in the territory.

Expert Insight: The transition from manual propaganda to AI-driven deepfakes represents a significant shift in the cost-benefit analysis for those seeking to suppress dissent. By forcing activists to spend their limited resources debunking false content, these campaigns effectively neutralize their ability to advocate for their causes on the international stage.

What happens next for digital advocacy?

As AI technology becomes more accessible, activists expect that digital disinformation will continue to complicate public understanding of the situation in West Papua. Analysts and researchers have previously identified the use of “bots” and automated accounts to amplify government-aligned narratives, a trend that may intensify as synthetic media becomes harder to distinguish from reality. Activists like Koman have urged the younger generation to remain critical of social media content and to carefully verify the technology they interact with to protect their credibility. While Wenda maintains that the truth cannot be permanently silenced, the emergence of these sophisticated tools suggests that the struggle for international attention will increasingly take place on a digital battlefield.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the documentary that the deepfake video of Koteka Wenda discusses?
The video falsely shows Ms. Wenda criticizing the 90-minute film Pig Feast: Colonialism in Our Time (or Pesta Babi), which exposes mass deforestation and indigenous land exploitation in West Papua.

What evidence exists that state actors are involved in these campaigns?
While specific perpetrators are difficult to identify, activists point to the high level of funding and resources required for such campaigns. Additionally, reports from Amnesty International and the University of Melbourne have documented coordinated disinformation efforts by Indonesian authorities and the military to discredit critics.

Has the Indonesian government responded to these allegations?
The source indicates that the ABC has contacted the Indonesian government and military for comment regarding these claims.

How can audiences better navigate the information coming from this region?