Digital Political Communication and Netizen Responses to the Merah Putih Cabinet Reshuffle: An Analysis of @detikcom Instagram

Abstract

The rapid expansion of social media has reshaped political communication by providing citizens with greater opportunities to engage in political discussions through digital interactions. Among these platforms, Instagram has emerged as a significant arena for the dissemination of political information and public debate. This study explores netizens' reactions to reports on the Merah Putih Cabinet reshuffle published on the official Instagram account of @detikcom between September and October 2025. A qualitative netnographic approach was adopted to investigate public engagement by observing online interactions and interpreting user-generated comments. Data were gathered through systematic online observation and documentation of comments related to cabinet reshuffle coverage. The analysis draws upon an integrated theoretical framework that combines Public Sphere Theory, Social Construction Theory, and Digital Political Communication perspectives. The findings demonstrate that most users responded with criticism, skepticism, and satire toward the cabinet reshuffle. Humor, sarcasm, and symbolic expressions emerged as the dominant forms of communication within the comment sections. Furthermore, the study highlights that Instagram's comment space operates as a digital public sphere where citizens negotiate political meanings, assess governmental decisions, and collectively shape public opinion. These findings enrich the literature on digital political communication by illustrating the active role of social media audiences in constructing public discourse surrounding political developments in Indonesia.