Fitri Murfianti, Nuril Hidayah, Finsensius Yuli Purnama
Electoral disinformation in Indonesia has often been understood as persuasive communication aimed at shaping political beliefs. This article shows that the 2024 election cycle marks a shift toward panic- oriented disinformation that frames politics as an unfolding crisis rather than an object of deliberation. Using a comparative qualitative analysis of debunked election-related disinformation from the 2019 and 2024 elections, the study examines changes in platforms, content formats, and circulation patterns. The findings show that while disinformation in 2019 relied on explicit claims and ideological messaging, disinformation in 2024 predominantly circulates as video-based content optimized for algorithmic visibility on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, functioning as atmospheric communication that shapes collective moods and perceptions of instability. © 2025 All rights reserved.
Leiden University – Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands; STAI Miftahul ‘Ula Nganjuk, Islamic Economics Study Program, Indonesia; Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia