The Impact of Digital Disinformation on Political Trust from the Perspective of the Digital Public Sphere in Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of digital disinformation on political trust from the perspective of the digital public sphere in Indonesia. The research addresses the growing circulation of misleading political information on social media and its implications for citizens’ trust in political institutions, actors, media, and democratic processes. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation of digital political conversations, and documentation of public posts, online news, and fact-checking materials. Participants consisted of active Indonesian social media users who had encountered political information whose credibility they questioned. Thematic analysis revealed five major findings: uncertainty in assessing political information, declining trust in official political communication, reliance on interpersonal and community-based verification, emotional fatigue and political withdrawal, and the fragmentation of the digital public sphere. These findings show that digital disinformation affects political trust not only by transmitting false claims but also by creating doubt, emotional exhaustion, and segmented political realities. The study contributes to political communication scholarship by emphasizing political trust as a mediated, relational, and affective experience within digital environments. The findings imply that responses to disinformation should include transparent institutional communication, rapid clarification, community-based digital literacy, and stronger collaboration among government institutions, media, civil society, and digital platforms. Future research may examine platform-specific dynamics or compare citizens’ experiences across regions, generations, and political communities.