Researcher Claims Context Manipulation in Viral Video of JK's Lecture at UGM

Jakarta, VIVA – A clip from the lecture by Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has gone viral, igniting controversy on social media. The content has been linked to sensitive issues with SARA undertones, prompting diverse public reactions.

However, researcher from Drone Emprit, Rizal Nova Mujahid, assesses that the virality of the video is inseparable from the practice of context manipulation commonly occurring in digital spaces.

“What happened is that the original video is 43 minutes long, discussing ‘Indonesia’s Diplomatic Strategy in Mitigating Multipolar Regional War Escalation’, then it was cut into short snippets, losing its historical and academic context,” said Rizal Nova, quoted on Friday, 24 April 2026.

He explained that the video clips bias the original meaning of JK’s statements. This includes the narrative about “dying as a martyr”, which is then perceived differently from the initial intent.

“The term ‘Mati Syahid’ is in the context of historical reflection regarding conflicts in Poso and Ambon, but it has been twisted as if JK is teaching and supporting the doctrine of violence,” he stated.

Not only regarding context, the dissemination of the video is also said to have occurred massively and in a structured manner. Data analysis shows tens of thousands of conversations emerging on various digital platforms in a short time, with some carrying negative tones that incite public anger.

“Looking at its spread, it only became popular a month after the lecture at UGM,” he said.

According to Rizal, patterns of dissemination like this have the potential to trigger social conflicts based on religious sentiments if not managed properly.

“Regardless of whether it is true or not, this means there is an effort to mobilise based on religious sentiments, though I hope it does not escalate,” said Kang Nova.

He mapped three stages in this phenomenon. Starting from the emergence of the video clips as a trigger, then strengthened by amplification on social media, and finally triggering polarisation in society.

“There is a dichotomy occurring in the public, between defending JK or defending the Christian community. This is what is very dangerous,” said Nova.

As a preventive measure, he encourages increasing digital literacy so that the public is not easily influenced by cut or manipulated content.