Digital Activism in Bali: The For BALI Movement

Abstract

In contemporary democratic countries, new media requires citizens to not only consume but also create, share, and use information. This chapter focuses on the use of digital media by activists in ForBALI (Forum Rakyat Bali Tolak Reklamasi—Bali’s Community Forum to Stop Reclamation), a movement to stop land reclamation in the mangrove islands of Benoa Bay, Bali. Drawing upon interviews with activists, including NGO actors, prominent musicians, film makers, youth leaders and security group members, the chapter deploys Bennet & Segerberg’s notion of connective action. This chapter notes the advantages and drawbacks of digital activism while acknowledging that generally digital media enhances Indonesians’ capacity for participatory action. It analyses how their digital activism works within their cultural context and arguably strengthens democratic processes.