Digital Capitalism and Platform Dependency in Indonesia: Media, Power, and Political Economy

Authors

  • Suko Widodo Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Jokhanan Kristiyono Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Komunikasi Almamater Wartawan Surabaya, Surabaya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5004-1095
  • Gilang Gusti Aji University of Surabaya, Surabaya
  • Zulaikha Zulaikha Dr. Soetomo University, Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26740/jsm.v10n1.p36-57

Keywords:

Digital capitalism, Platform dependency, Political economy of media, Digital platforms

Abstract

This article examines Indonesia’s digital transformation through a political economy of media perspective, focusing on platform dependency, digital labor, and governance relations. The study employs a qualitative analysis of secondary data, including national statistics, policy documents, industry reports, and recent academic studies related to Indonesia’s digital economy and media systems. Drawing on sources such as APJII (2023), BPS (2023), and regional digital economy reports, the analysis captures large-scale patterns of platform adoption, labor dynamics, and governance structures. The findings indicate that Indonesia’s digital ecosystem is characterized by structural asymmetries in infrastructural control, value extraction, and regulatory capacity. Rather than reflecting technological progress alone, digital transformation involves a reconfiguration of media power and platform-mediated participation. This article contributes to media and communication scholarship by offering an integrated political economy framework to understand how digital capitalism reshapes communication environments in emerging digital societies

Author Biographies

Jokhanan Kristiyono, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Komunikasi Almamater Wartawan Surabaya, Surabaya

Departement of Communication Studies

Gilang Gusti Aji, University of Surabaya, Surabaya

Departement of Communication

Zulaikha Zulaikha, Dr. Soetomo University, Surabaya

Faculty of Communication

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Published

2026-04-28

How to Cite

Widodo, S., Kristiyono, J., Aji, G. G., & Zulaikha, Z. (2026). Digital Capitalism and Platform Dependency in Indonesia: Media, Power, and Political Economy. The Journal of Society and Media, 10(1), 36–57. https://doi.org/10.26740/jsm.v10n1.p36-57

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026): Social Transformation in the Digital Media Ecosystem

Section

Articles

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