KaburAjaDulu as Digital Protest: Media Framing and Youth Counter-Narratives of 'Escaping Indonesia' in YouTube Discourses

KaburAjaDulu as Digital Protest: Media Framing and Youth Counter-Narratives of 'Escaping Indonesia' in YouTube Discourses | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article #KaburAjaDulu as Digital Protest: Media Framing and Youth Counter-Narratives of 'Escaping Indonesia' in YouTube Discourses Fathul QORIB, Mert GÜRER This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7017121/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This research examines the #KaburAjaDulu hashtag, a symbol of youth frustration in Indonesia, expressing dissatisfaction with the country’s economic instability and political system. The study analyzes how this discourse is framed across three primary YouTube media channels in Indonesia, CNN Indonesia, Kompas TV, and TV One, as well as their comment sections. The study explores the dynamics of in-group versus out-group identity, processes of legitimization and delegitimization, and the underlying power relations. The study found that the media reflected the government’s stance, portraying migration as an irrational response and disloyalty to the nation. In this context, the term “escape” was reduced to merely seeking work, ignoring the more profound meaning as a protest against harsh conditions in Indonesia, particularly concerning systemic issues such as corruption and legal uncertainty. In contrast, the commentary section provided an alternative view, where youth migration was seen as a protest against corruption and deeper political and economic issues. Here, the media failed to critically address the root causes of youth migration and instead reinforced the government’s narrative, ignoring the real motivations behind youth’s decision to leave. This study introduces leveraging the platform’s real-time engagement to explore a dynamic discourse not captured by traditional media studies. Humanities/Cultural and media studies Social science/Cultural and media studies Humanities/Language and linguistics Social science/Language and linguistics Humanities/Literature Social science/Politics and international relations #KaburAjaDulu media discourse migration discourse youth frustration Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Introduction The hashtag #KaburAjaDulu, which translates to "Let's Escape from Indonesia," has gained significant traction in Indonesia's social media landscape, particularly as a rallying call for online communities. Initially, this hashtag symbolized the desire to travel abroad, offering a virtual escape from the daily grind. However, in recent years, its meaning has expanded beyond personal escape, reflecting a broader political and social movement (Malamassam, 2016 ). The hashtag has become a powerful symbol of disillusionment with Indonesia’s political and economic conditions, especially among Generation Z and undergraduate students. These youth, disillusioned by political instability, corruption, and high unemployment, have used the hashtag to express their desire for better opportunities abroad and to demonstrate their frustrations with the socio-economic system (Malamassam, 2016 ; Saud et al., 2020 ). This movement has led to protests in major cities across Indonesia, with millions participating in calls for socio-political change and improved living conditions. The hashtag #KaburAjaDulu emerged alongside the “Indonesia Gelap” (“Dark Indonesia”) protests, both reflecting growing frustration among young Indonesians over budget cuts, limited opportunities, and perceived democratic decline. While thousands of students marched in cities like Yogyakarta to oppose President Prabowo Subianto’s policies (Satriawan & Budiman, 2025 ), many others expressed their frustrations online, voicing a symbolic desire to leave the country. Government responses—some dismissive and even hostile—further fueled public anger, with officials using phrases like "ndasmu" (“your head!”—a Javanese slang often used to insult or belittle someone) and "kabur sajalah" (“just run away, then”), even adding "don’t bother coming back" in some cases (Ayu et al., 2025 ; Taneko, 2025 ). As noted by Khozen ( 2025 ), these movements highlight deeper concerns about the erosion of democratic values and the increasing dominance of oligarchic interests in national politics. The hashtag #KaburAjaDulu has resonated widely, from influencers to ordinary citizens, reaching digital communities and mainstream media, particularly through the three most prominent YouTube-based outlets in Indonesia: CNN Indonesia, TVOne, and KompasTV. These media have amplified the movement, embedding it into the national socio-political conversation. Their portrayal of the hashtag can be analyzed through discourse theory, as media functions as an ideological state apparatus shaping public discourse (Althusser, 1971 ). Language, as Foucault argues, enforces power and social norms (Foucault, 2000 ).. Through its framing of #KaburAjaDulu, the media constructs a narrative that reflects youth frustrations while influencing public attitudes toward migration and socio-political reform. The media’s power dynamics often emphasize migration as a potential solution to Indonesia’s political and economic crises (Schrøder, 1998 ; Turkel, 1990 ). Recent studies highlight the evolving landscape of social movements in Indonesia, particularly focusing on youth involvement and digital activism. Cyberprotest has emerged as a new form of social movement, where online platforms are used to mobilize support and express dissent (Ratnasari et al., 2021 ; Rohman, 2024 ). This shift has been especially evident in movements like #ReformasiDikorupsi and #TolakOmnibusLaw, which leveraged both online and offline strategies to address critical issues, including democracy, political dynasties, and controversial legislation (Muqsith et al., 2019 ; Wahyuningroem et al., 2024 ). These movements reflect the growing role of youth in Indonesia’s political landscape, as young people increasingly take to digital platforms to voice their frustrations and push for change. The rise of digital activism is a clear demonstration of how youth are using technology to challenge entrenched systems of power (Muliono & Nasuhaidi, 2024 ). Moreover, the diversity of social movements in Indonesia is expanding, with new forms of activism emerging. Islamic perspectives on social protests have contributed to these movements, emphasizing principles of rights and obligations as they engage with socio-political issues (Kuswana et al., 2025 ). Alongside this, women’s movements have gained prominence, advocating for policies that address societal concerns and support gender equality (Kulsum et al., 2021 ). The student movement continues to be a significant force for social change, demonstrating the power of youth in driving political and social transformation (Sastramidjaja, 2019 ). Additionally, peasant movements, as part of the broader anti-globalization effort, reflect the broader scope of grassroots activism that continues to shape Indonesia’s political landscape (Suharko, 2020 ). This growing trend of digital and offline activism is mirrored in the #KaburAjaDulu movement, where youth, through both social media and street protests, articulate their dissatisfaction with Indonesia’s political and economic systems. This research is significant because it addresses a new and evolving phenomenon in Indonesia, where youth, disillusioned by political instability and economic challenges, are turning to the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu to express their desire to escape to other countries. While digital activism and social media movements have been studied, little research has focused on how these movements, especially #KaburAjaDulu, gain traction through social media and traditional media. What makes this study particularly unique is its focus on YouTube, a real-time, interactive engagement platform that offers a dynamic space for youth to voice their frustrations. This real-time participation allows for a more immediate and personal expression, which sets it apart from traditional media analyses. This study will examine how mainstream media like CNN Indonesia, TVOne, and KompasTV frame the hashtag and how public reactions in the comment sections shape perceptions of migration and socio-political dissatisfaction. This research contributes to filling a gap in understanding how media portrayal and youth responses interact, especially in the context of political and economic frustrations in contemporary Indonesia. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the discourse surrounding the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu, particularly in relation to youth disillusionment with Indonesia's political and economic conditions. The research will address three key questions: How is the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu framed by TVOne, KompasTV, and CNN Indonesia in their coverage? How do public responses in the comment sections of these media outlets shape perceptions of migration and socio-political dissatisfaction? How do media portrayals of #KaburAjaDulu influence youth attitudes toward Indonesia’s political and economic conditions, particularly regarding the desire to migrate for better opportunities? By addressing these questions, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the influence of media and public discourse on the socio-political landscape in Indonesia, especially regarding the growing desire for migration among youth as a response to the current political and economic climate. Theoretical Review: Critical Discourse Analysis Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) will be used to examine how the discourse surrounding the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu functions within power relations and societal ideologies in Indonesia. CDA, as developed by scholars like Norman Fairclough ( 2001 ) and Teun A. van Dijk ( 1993 ), emphasizes the role of language in constructing social realities, reinforcing power structures, and shaping public perceptions. Fairclough’s approach focuses on the interplay between discourse, power, and social practices, particularly how media representations reflect and influence societal ideologies (Fairclough, 2001 ; Schrøder, 1998 ). This framework will be used to analyze how the language surrounding the hashtag constructs a narrative that reflects or challenges the dominant political and economic structures in Indonesia, particularly in response to the increasing dissatisfaction among youth regarding political instability and economic hardship. At its core, CDA posits that discourse is not just a vehicle for conveying information but an active site of power dynamics where ideologies are reinforced or contested (Dijk, 2017 ). The language used in media, including metaphor, modality, and framing, plays a crucial role in constructing narratives that shape how issues are understood and acted upon (Chang et al., 2002 ). CDA reveals how certain linguistic choices in media portrayals can influence societal perceptions and behaviors by promoting or marginalizing particular ideologies. This approach allows us to uncover the underlying power structures that shape public discourse, revealing how language perpetuates social inequalities or calls for change (Benford & Snow, 2000 ; Chong & Druckman, 2007 ). In the age of social media, CDA extends its relevance by examining the complexities of digital discourse (López & Sabucedo, 2007 ). Social media platforms provide a space for rapid and widespread dissemination of ideas, amplifying collective sentiments and shaping public opinion in real time (Dahl, 2015 ). Analyzing the discourse on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube offers valuable insights into how societal dissatisfaction with political and economic systems is expressed and circulated, forming the basis for social movements and political engagement (Karami et al., 2018 ; Prayudi et al., 2025 ). The nature of social media discourse—brief and often fragmented—poses unique challenges for CDA, as it can obscure deeper ideological undercurrents. However, integrating CDA principles with modern sentiment analysis and digital tools allows for a deeper understanding of how online discourse influences public perception, particularly in relation to political dissatisfaction and social movements (Lee et al., 2022 ). Research Method This research employs a critical paradigm and adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the discourse surrounding the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu. The critical paradigm is chosen because it focuses on understanding how power relations and social ideologies are constructed and challenged in discourse, particularly in relation to political and economic dissatisfaction (Cresswell, 2007 ; Snelson, 2016 ). The qualitative component utilizes Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), based on Fairclough’s framework (2001), to explore how media outlets such as TVOne, KompasTV, and CNN Indonesia frame socio-political issues and youth dissatisfaction. Quantitative data is obtained from the most frequently used words in the conversations within the videos, processed using NVIVO to generate a word map. 3.1 Primary Data The primary data used in this study is sourced from talkshows on YouTube by three Indonesian media, Kompas TV, TVOne, and CNN Indonesia. These videos were selected for their direct focus on the #KaburAjaDulu phenomenon, making them highly relevant for analyzing public discourse on youth frustration and migration. The video views, comments, and likes provide an authentic representation of public engagement with the hashtag. Additionally, comments from the YouTube comment sections were downloaded using the WebHarvy app (WebHarvy, 2020 ), offering a valuable dataset for further analysis of public sentiment. This data is crucial for conducting Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), allowing for an exploration of how the media constructs the narrative around migration and how the public responds to it. The following Table 1 summarizes key metrics for each video: Table 1 Research object Media Channel Video Title Duration Views Comments Likes Kompas TV Government Policy Under Scrutiny, Youth Spread #KaburAjaDulu 52:09 min 231,000 2,423 2,800 TVOne Viral #KaburAjaDulu, Rational or Emotional? 1:12:42 hr 293,000 2,178 3,100 CNN Indonesia #KaburAjaDulu, Opportunity or Trap? 21:03 min 1,900,000 17 23 3.2 Data Analysis Data analysis is conducted using two main methods. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is applied to analyze the discourse in the videos and comments, focusing on how language functions in framing issues of political and economic dissatisfaction in Indonesia. This analysis identifies how the media frames these issues and how public responses in the comments either reflect or challenge these frames. Additionally, the data is processed using NVivo 12 software to analyze the frequency of words used in the media talkshows. The word frequency analysis helps identify recurring themes and key terms. A word cloud is generated to visually represent the most frequently used words, providing an intuitive view of the discourse surrounding youth frustration and migration. Result 4.1 CNN Indonesia on #KaburAjaDulu Hashtag The discussion surrounding the hashtag "#KaburAjaDulu" in the CNN video reflects the discontent of a significant portion of Indonesian society, especially the younger generation, regarding the socio-economic conditions they perceive as unsupportive. This hashtag has become a symbol for those who feel that the opportunities available in the country are too limited, with the hope of seeking a better life abroad. In an interview with the Minister of Migrant Worker Protection, Abdul Kadir Karding, and migrant worker Rian Suryadi, there are differing views on how to view this phenomenon. The government is trying to provide a more constructive perspective by encouraging the public to work abroad legally, while some individuals still feel deep injustices within the country. “Well, actually, in my opinion, the hashtag shouldn’t be ‘kabur-kabur.’ … ‘Kabur,’ whatever the reason, has a negative connotation. In my opinion, just work abroad first,” “As the younger generation, what should we do to address domestic issues? Let’s work together and support the government,” he added. Karding attempts to replace the negative connotation of the hashtag "kabur" with a more solution-oriented approach, namely "just work abroad first." According to Karding, this narrative is more constructive and encourages the younger generation to seize the opportunity to work abroad legally as a means of improving their economic situation. In addition, he emphasizes that as the younger generation, they must also support the government in tackling socio-economic problems domestically, working together to improve the situation. However, this approach may be seen as not addressing the deep-rooted concerns, where injustice and economic uncertainty are perceived as the underlying problems that drive people to seek opportunities abroad. Presenter’s question: "Well, if we look at past experiences, there have been several of our migrant workers, especially low-skilled workers, who have had bad experiences. There are many cases in Myanmar where migrant workers were held captive and forced into scamming. What steps are you taking to protect them?" Minister’s response: "So, you see, most of the problems faced domestically are by those who depart illegally or unprocedurally. Most of them are low-skilled. So the solution is simple: don’t depart unprocedurally." The presenter did not probe further regarding the role of the younger generation, which Minister Karding emphasized in supporting the government in addressing socio-economic issues domestically. Instead, the presenter continued the discussion on low-skilled migrant workers facing issues abroad. Although Minister Karding briefly mentioned that this issue is part of a larger system and not solely the responsibility of the current government, the presenter steered the conversation back to procedural issues, not delving into Karding’s comments on the younger generation’s support for the government or criticisms of previous administrations. Minister Karding’s statement regarding migrant workers leaving illegally indicates his focus on the importance of legal and procedural migration to ensure protection for migrant workers. He stated that the problems faced by Indonesian migrant workers are mostly a result of illegal or unprocedural migration, which often involves low-skilled workers. While this is valid, criticism arises because many who are trapped in illegal migration lack sufficient information about proper procedures. Thus, Karding’s suggestion to avoid unprocedural migration may not fully address the root cause of the injustice driving illegal migration. "I do agree with your opinion on the hashtag '#KaburAjaDulu,' which has a somewhat negative connotation. For the hashtag 'work abroad first,'" (Rian Suryadi statements). Rian Suryadi, who works in Australia, expressed his agreement that the connotation of #KaburAjaDulu is negative, suggesting it should be replaced with "work abroad first." However, he also acknowledged that the situation that drives people to seek work abroad is not solely about wanting to "escape," but more about the deep need to improve their living conditions. The desire to work abroad is aimed at achieving financial stability. Rian emphasized that the real challenge within the country is how to create more job opportunities to accommodate a larger population, and not merely focus on the correct procedures for working abroad. The discussion presented on CNN regarding the hashtag "#KaburAjaDulu" contrasts with many of the comments that emerged from the public on social media. In the interview with Minister Karding, the conversation was more focused on the government's efforts to improve migrant worker procedures and change the negative connotation of "escape" to "work abroad first." However, the comments from the audience reflect a deep dissatisfaction with the political, economic, and governance conditions in Indonesia. Most comments highlight issues of corruption that are perceived to be rampant, as well as the injustices felt across various sectors, making the younger generation feel frustrated and anxious about their future in the country. "Corruption is rampant, from ordinary citizens to high-ranking officials. Mafias everywhere—health mafia, education mafia, land mafia, even street mafia. Many security officers, who should protect, are instead robbing, extorting, and killing." (@bergas975) "Who would stay in Indonesia with all these rats? The KPK should eradicate the rats, but they’re actually protecting them." (@asusm2-zy4dt) These comments illustrate the public’s anger towards unjust social conditions and the lack of trust in institutions that are supposed to protect the citizens. The user @bergas975 points out the widespread corruption that extends from low levels to high officials, calling it part of a mafia that is destroying the system. Meanwhile, @asusm2-zy4dt refers to "rats" as a metaphor for corrupt officials who are untouchable by law, even though they are being protected by the KPK, which should be fighting corruption. These comments reflect the despair caused by structural injustice, which leaves many feeling that there is no hope for improving the situation domestically. "What drives people to want to leave Indonesia is actually an institutional problem... there is no legal certainty, justice is difficult to achieve, chaos everywhere, uncomfortable environment, unclear government policies... the future looks bleak." (@kurtubisudjono8785) "The worst thing about living abroad is that at least the law is clear and cannot be bought with money. Unlike in Indonesia." (@utarisusanti7200). These opinions represent the frustration of many, especially those who feel marginalized. They loudly voice that the main issue pushing many people to seek life abroad is not just economic, but also institutional problems that are not being addressed. Legal uncertainty, ongoing injustice, and unclear government policies make the future in Indonesia seem bleak. This sense of frustration highlights that, even though salaries in Indonesia may be considered low, the root of the problem lies in social injustice and a government that does not side with the people. 4.2 Kompas TV on #KaburAjaDulu Hashtag The phenomenon of the hashtag "#KaburAjaDulu" reflects the frustration of Indonesia's younger generation toward various issues they face in the economic, social, and political realms. This hashtag, which has spread widely, symbolizes the desire to seek a better life abroad, as many young people feel that Indonesia does not provide sufficient opportunities, particularly in terms of employment and stable living. The dissatisfaction with government policies, perceived as unsupportive of the youth, exacerbates this situation. The desire to leave the country becomes a response to growing feelings of despair and frustration. "The expression of disappointment about various economic, social, and political issues in Indonesia gave rise to the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu, which became widespread and a topic of discussion. This hashtag reflects the frustration of society, particularly the youth, with the situation in their homeland, leading them to seek a better life abroad" (Kompas TV Presenter). The hashtag #KaburAjaDulu not only reflects complaints but also highlights deep dissatisfaction with the current conditions in Indonesia. The perceived undervaluation of the younger generation, combined with the difficulties they face in finding decent work, has led many to consider leaving the country. This frustration drives efforts to find better opportunities abroad, whether for work or to obtain a better education. With the rise of social media, these sentiments have spread, creating space for discussion and protest against the injustices present. "First, the anger of the youth; second, we must recognize that there are opportunities abroad; third, how do we prepare our youth? This is known in English as school-to-work transition" (Expert Statement). "The current policy, with budget tightening and perhaps a bloated cabinet, makes it seem like the government is not seriously addressing the opportunities for young people to work" (Expert Statement). "BBC Indonesia, in an interview with Indonesian youth: 'I don’t see a meaningful future. I don’t want to die as an Indonesian'" (Expert Statement). The expert’s statements reflect three important perspectives regarding the frustration of the younger generation: first, anger at government policies that do not favor them; second, the recognition of opportunities abroad as an alternative for a better life; and third, the need for proper preparation for the youth, especially in the transition from education to the workforce. This process, known as school-to-work transition, is key for youth to adapt to the demands of the labor market. However, another issue arises due to government policies, which are seen as not serious about providing employment opportunities for the younger generation, further worsening their pessimism about the future in the country. "There must be some people who are talented, high-skilled, and given the opportunity to be abroad without us labeling them as unpatriotic, anti-NKRI, and so on" (Expert Statement). "There are two things that really need attention (for working abroad): first, English proficiency, and second, confidence in presenting" (Expert Statement). The expert emphasizes the importance of giving talented young Indonesians the opportunity to develop abroad without labeling them as unpatriotic. High-skilled youth deserve the chance to thrive in a more supportive environment. However, they must prepare well, particularly in mastering English and developing the confidence to present themselves in front of an international audience. These skills are crucial to facing global challenges and opening up greater opportunities abroad. Comments in the YouTube comment section of the Kompas TV video further reinforce the dissatisfaction with the conditions in Indonesia. Many comments encourage young people to seek opportunities abroad, given the perceived lack of support in the country. Some comments highlight the difficulties young people face, such as low wages and limited access to decent job opportunities. This reinforces the notion that many youth feel frustrated and see brighter prospects abroad. Not only in terms of employment, but also in terms of quality of life, where they believe working abroad offers a better chance for personal development and a more decent life. "For young people, don’t waste your time. There’s no hope for a better life in Indonesia. From 20 to 30 years old, just 10 years. I guarantee your life will be better. If you want to go to Southeast Asia, try Malaysia or Singapore. But it’s better to go to Korea or Japan. If you want to save more, go to Europe, don’t waste time, in Indonesia there’s no hope. Hopefully, we all, the youth, can do better in the future" (@ErfanSetiawan-nj5iu). "Luckily, my child has already escaped and is working as an expatriate in a global company in Singapore. In Indonesia, you work maximum, but get minimum pay. The fifth principle is only displayed on the walls of government offices in Indonesia…" (@davidleeroth007). These comments shows deep disappointment with Indonesia’s economic conditions and suggest young people seek opportunities abroad. One comment expresses that working abroad during one’s productive years offers a better life than staying in Indonesia. Another comment shows pride in a child who works abroad, as they believe that working in Indonesia only results in low wages and poor job conditions. These comments underscore a lack of trust in the government's promises about "Indonesia Emas 2045," which are seen as mere slogans without real implementation. This further reinforces the notion that many young people view seeking a better life abroad as a more realistic option than staying in Indonesia. Additional comments from social media users strengthen the view that many parents support their children’s decision to seek opportunities abroad. One user @sulistiowatisulis3592 mentioned that they had decided to live abroad and planned to return to Indonesia only after retirement, as living abroad provided a better quality of life. They even encouraged their children to go abroad to avoid being trapped in difficult conditions in Indonesia. Another user (@emakaa5074) also expressed support for children working abroad, encouraging them to master English as preparation for a better future. These comments show that many parents now prefer to encourage their children to seek opportunities abroad, viewing it as a more promising chance than staying in Indonesia. 4.3 TVOne on #KaburAjaDulu Hashtag The discussion on TVOne regarding the hashtag "#KaburAjaDulu" featured various speakers offering differing perspectives. Initially, the Minister of Manpower viewed workers who chose to work abroad and leave Indonesia as unpatriotic. He argued that the difficulty in securing decent employment in Indonesia was not a valid reason to "flee" abroad, especially when social media was used to express dissatisfaction. However, this view was not well-received by many. One such dissenting voice came from Bunda Korla, a diaspora in Germany, who said: "They get opportunities to work abroad, that does not necessarily reduce their nationalism or patriotism, right?" (Bunda Korla, Diaspora in Germany) "Wanting to work abroad and being called unpatriotic is not right for the young people today who are trying to go abroad" (Bunda Korla, Diaspora in Germany). Many individuals who choose to work abroad believe that finding employment in Indonesia is extremely difficult. They complain about strict requirements, such as age, height, educational degrees, and even needing connections within companies. Many feel trapped in a system full of bureaucratic obstacles. As a result, they believe it is better to seek employment abroad, where the pay is higher and working conditions more comfortable, than to continue struggling in an inaccessible domestic job market. Chiki Fawzi, a young entrepreneur and artist, shared his thoughts on life abroad: "If we think about why we should flee from Indonesia, it means something is wrong. Something is making us uncomfortable, and that's why we want to flee. Isn’t that right?" (Chiki Fawzi, Young Entrepreneur/Artist) "But life abroad is actually comfortable. And how should I say, I started my career as an animator in Malaysia from the bottom. The salary wasn’t much, but the life and all the facilities that the country provided were very comfortable" (Chiki Fawzi, Young Entrepreneur/Artist). Chiki Fawzi also discussed his reasons for returning to Indonesia, emphasizing that the Indonesian government should pay more attention to the welfare of domestic workers. Devie Rahmawati, a social observer from the University of Indonesia, added that post-pandemic, finding work is indeed difficult. However, she believes that Indonesia has vast potential, and the main challenge is how to prepare the workforce to be competitive both domestically and internationally. However, many migrant workers do not have smooth experiences abroad. Deputy Minister of Manpower, Zulfikar, highlighted the large number of migrant workers who end up in illegal jobs or face conditions far from expectations. They often struggle to return home after working in conditions that do not match their contracts or after encountering other problems. The government continues to work on improving the migrant worker dispatch system to ensure they can work with adequate protection. The Deputy Minister of Manpower stated that the government must be responsible for providing decent employment opportunities for its citizens. He emphasized: "It is our duty, as a state, our duty as the government, Prabowo-Gibran, to fight against things that harm the people. And today, we are here, this country is present among the people. A simple example, my friends, the online motorcycle taxi drivers, they fought the other day regarding their holiday allowance." "Our task as a state is to provide employment opportunities for them. That’s why Pak Prabowo always says we have the budget, and we will invest it in creating jobs." Additionally, the Deputy Minister of BP2PTI (Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection and Placement Agency) also discussed the requirements that migrant workers must meet: "Our ministry has something called the five preparedness: physical readiness, mental readiness, being far from family, and the second and third are document readiness—complete documents like passports, visas, and Cisco P2Mii—and the fourth is competency readiness. They must have competence. They must have competence, like Ms. Chiki earlier, who has competence in the animation sector. And the fifth is vision readiness." The Deputy Minister of Manpower wrapped up the discussion by mentioning the significant challenges faced by Indonesia and other large countries experiencing an aging population. With Indonesia's demographic bonus, the country must prepare a skilled workforce to meet global market demands. The government needs to create proactive policies to develop the workforce’s competencies, both domestically and for migrant workers. Comments on on YouTube, reinforce the notion that finding employment in Indonesia is indeed very difficult. Many people believe that the requirements for obtaining a job are unreasonable. The increasing burden of requirements, such as age limits, required work experience, and even height, has become a major obstacle for many job applicants. Coupled with the high cost of education, many young people opt to stop attending university and move to vocational training centers (LPK) seen as more practical. Graduating from university does not guarantee passing the strict employment exams, leaving many feeling trapped and struggling to find work. "Why isn't it discussed that making a police certificate (SKCK) requires BPJS (Health Insurance)? Job seekers and the unemployed are confused. They don’t have the money to pay BPJS, and now to get an SKCK for work, they’re told to use BPJS. The country is crazy... BPJS is already struggling financially" (@roydeeyaa6239). "I can understand the feeling of being unemployed. Imagine waking up, wanting to have coffee or breakfast but not having money, looking for a job is hard, and the chance to be accepted abroad is there. Who cares about nationalism? People who are unemployed can’t even afford coffee or breakfast. Not to mention the needs of elderly parents and younger siblings. Just imagine" (@sujatmikoafandi8610). Some comments also criticize the minister's performance, accusing him of not offering concrete solutions to the problems at hand. One netizen expressed their disappointment after watching the minister's statement, feeling that it did not provide clear answers regarding unemployment and job opportunities: "The minister is rambling. I watched hoping to hear a solution, but instead, he told stories" (@sesilhappy7109). Meanwhile, another netizen argued that the debate took a turn without offering clear solutions: "Noel is just turning the debate around" (@budirusiadi6848). Discussion 5.1 In-group vs. out-group in the #KaburAjaDulu discourse The #KaburAjaDulu discourse highlights the deep-rooted in-group/out-group divide between Indonesian youth and government institutions, constructed through language choices across media platforms. Government representatives frequently use exclusionary rhetoric, labeling youth who contemplate migration as "unpatriotic." This negative portrayal of critics serves to delegitimize their concerns and dissent (Wodak, 2015 ). Such framing further reinforces a divide, creating a clear distinction between those in power and those who feel marginalized (Hindman, 2011 ; van Hulst et al., 2025 ). One striking example comes from President Prabowo Subianto himself, who, in public speeches, used the phrase "ndasmu" , a slang term in Javanese. Literally, it translates to "your head," but in this context, it is an insulting and dismissive way of belittling someone, akin to saying “shut up” or "you're being foolish." Later, he referred to protesters using the hashtag #IndonesiaGelap (#DarkIndonesia) as “kalian yang gelap,” which translates to "you who are dark." The word “dark” is used here metaphorically, indicating that the protesters are ignorant, with the intention of publicly insulting them. This discursive strategy not only dismisses the concerns of critical youth but also turns their criticisms into personal insults, reinforcing ideological polarization that maintains power structures (van Dijk, 2017 ). Such derogatory language positions youth as “outsiders” to the national identity, further exacerbating divisions. The mass media reinforces the divide between youth and the government by selectively framing discourse, reinforcing the us vs. them binary. For example, CNN Indonesia focused primarily on migration procedures while avoiding systemic critique of the underlying issues that fuel youth discontent. Fairclough ( 2001 ) argues that media discourse can mask structural inequalities by presenting seemingly neutral narratives that ignore the power dynamics. By juxtaposing government statements with migrant worker testimonies without providing deeper analysis, the media inadvertently perpetuates existing power imbalances (Lovera-Bilderbeek & Lahiri, 2021 ), failing to critically challenge the government’s underlying assumptions about youth migration. This selective framing exemplifies what Mateus ( 2017 ) calls “structural invisibility,” whereby the media’s choice to focus on the procedural aspects of migration obscures deeper structural causes such as economic inequality, political instability, and corruption. By avoiding confrontation with these issues, the media perpetuates a narrative that hides the root causes of youth discontent, reinforcing the status quo. In response, youth and their supporters strategically employ linguistic techniques to challenge their marginalization. Phrases like “frustrated generation,” used by KompasTV, and “victims of the system,” seen in YouTube comments, help form a collective identity that directly confronts the official narrative. Wodak's, (2022) concept of constructive strategies shows how subordinate groups assert their agency through alternative framing. Comments like “KPK (Indonesian Anti-Corruption Agency) nurtures corrupt rats” capture the emotional intensity that illustrates affective discourse, where emotionally charged language challenges and disrupts the dominant rationalist narrative typically found in mainstream media (Wetherell et al., 2012 ). The hashtag #KaburAjaDulu became a linguistic battleground, with the government attempting to reframe its meaning. The attempt to replace “escape” with “work abroad” is an example of recontextualization, stripping it of its critical connotations (Wodak, 2011 ). This struggle for meaning reflects a broader struggle to control language and political narratives, as Fairclough, ( 1985 ) argues—where controlling language is tantamount to controlling social reality. The youth’s resistance to this linguistic co-optation demonstrates their keen awareness of the role of discourse in shaping social reality and their refusal to let the government dictate the terms of their dissent. Kompas TV discusses the dynamics surrounding youth frustrations by incorporating historical context. By referencing past movements such as #ReformBetrayed, the coverage creates intertextual connections highlighting recurring patterns of youth-state conflict. This approach aligns with the historical perspective outlined by Wodak ( 2015 ), who emphasizes how discourse shapes collective memory and reflects ongoing tensions between youth and the government. One young man’s emotional testimony, “I don’t want to die as an Indonesian,” powerfully connects current frustrations to Indonesia’s long history of unfulfilled promises of reform, illustrating how media discourse reflects and constructs collective memory of political disappointment (Wodak, 2022 ). In contrast, YouTube’s comment section offers a more raw and unmediated space where these dynamics unfold. Comments such as “crazy country” and “corrupt rat” use unfiltered, everyday language to reject the polite political discourse presented by the government and mainstream media. This illustrates the concept of a counter-public sphere, where marginalized groups develop oppositional discourses to challenge dominant narratives (Fraser, 1990 ). These comments’ visceral and personal language directly challenges the depoliticized framing of youth migration, exposing deeper socio-economic realities often hidden in media depictions. Reducing these complex issues to discussions of national loyalty rather than material concerns leads to a moral evaluation of youth motivations, obscuring the real issues at hand (van Leeuwen, 2018 ). It creates a “false dichotomy” that distracts from real policy failures and frames youth migration as a symbolic struggle for identity and belonging rather than a response to structural inequalities (Wodak, 2015 ). This analysis reveals how language reflects social divisions and actively constructs and perpetuates them. 5.2 Legitimation Strategies in the #KaburAjaDulu Discourse The Indonesian government’s legitimation strategies in the #KaburAjaDulu discourse rely on a dual framework of bureaucratic rationalization and nationalist moralism. By categorizing migration into "procedural" (legal) and "unprocedural" (illegal) pathways, authorities employ institutional authorization (van Leeuwen, 2008) to validate only state-sanctioned mobility. This bifurcation delegitimizes economically forced migration, framing it as a failure of individual compliance rather than systemic neglect. Such rhetoric echoes Ong's (2006) critique of neoliberal citizenship, where governments shift the responsibility of social welfare onto individuals by labeling their struggles as the result of "irrational" choices. The Minister of Labor’s characterization of youth grievances as "unpatriotic" (TVOne) further illustrates the use of moral legitimation (van Leeuwen, 2018 ), utilizing nationalist sentiment to quell opposition and delegitimize dissent (Wong, 2024 ). In response, youth and diaspora actors delegitimize state narratives by exposing their material contradictions. Diaspora voices like Bunda Korla strategically invoke transnational lived experience ("Working abroad doesn’t reduce nationalism") to challenge the government’s moral binaries. This aligns with the theory of counter-hegemonic discourse, where marginalized groups dismantle dominant ideologies by revealing their empirical falsehoods (Laclau & Mouffe, 2001 ). Digital spaces amplify this tactic, as seen in viral critiques citing Indonesia’s youth unemployment rate (20.5% in 2023, per BPS)—a statistical rebuttal to state claims of economic optimism. These efforts reflect discursive resistance, where subaltern groups reclaim epistemic authority from institutional elites (Hall et al., 2024 ). Media institutions play a pivotal role in reproducing state legitimacy through selective amplification. CNN Indonesia’s framing of migration as a "skills mismatch" issue (e.g., emphasizing language training) exemplifies technical legitimation, reducing structural labor crises to apolitical human capital deficits (Gottweis, 2008 ). By omitting critiques of wage suppression or corporate exploitation, such coverage naturalizes the state-capital collusion that drives precarious migration, which is referred to as accumulation by dispossession (Harvey, 2010 ). Kompas TV’s reporting, while somewhat critical, still focuses on individual adaptability. It frames systemic failures as personal challenges to be overcome rather than highlighting the need for structural reform or collective action. Conversely, YouTube comment sections emerge as sites of radical delegitimation, deploying affective and empirical appeals to undermine state-media hegemony. Comments contrasting ministerial rhetoric with realities like rent inflation ("Minimum wage is not enough for rent!") utilize experiential legitimation, prioritizing lived precarity over bureaucratic abstractions (Wodak, 2015 ). Others use comparative benchmarks, such as "In Vietnam, the minimum wage is equivalent to 8 million," to expose policy failures, employing liberal comparison as a tactic to challenge nationalist exceptionalism (Risse, 2004 ). This grassroots critique is an example of Fraser ( 1990 ) concept of counter-publics, in which marginalized groups create alternative epistemologies by challenging dominant narratives and offering new ways of understanding social and political issues. The state's delegitimation of dissent operates through discursive ridicule and erasure. Officials reduce youth protests to “fairytales,” using a tactic of trivialization legitimation to depoliticize dissent by infantilizing critics (van Dijk, 2017 ). At the same time, the media excludes labor union perspectives, such as FSPMI’s wage stagnation data, which amounts to structural silencing (Couldry, 2017 ), removing collective labor critiques from public discourse. These strategies involve the use of symbolic violence, where power is not maintained through overt coercion, but by controlling the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable and "sayable" truth (Bourdieu, 1991 ). Youth are reclaiming their legitimacy through trans-local solidarity networks, challenging state-imposed narratives. Diaspora influencers like Chiki Fawzi utilize their cultural capital to frame migration as a rational choice, not a desperate escape, with statements like “More comfortable working in Malaysia than in Indonesia,” shifting the narrative from failure to opportunity. This disrupts traditional nationalist ideologies, which assume loyalty to the nation should outweigh personal well-being. At the same time, student collectives leverage policy literacy to counter the government’s promises of creating “superior human resources,” using reports on education budget cuts to highlight systemic issues. By doing so, these youth challenge the state’s rhetoric with institutional knowledge, reflecting a broader movement where marginalized communities use their understanding of power structures to resist and create alternative spaces for political discourse. Ultimately, this legitimacy struggle reveals Indonesia’s post-reformasi paradox: a state that rhetorically champions youth empowerment while structurally excluding them from economic sovereignty. The #KaburAjaDulu movement mirrors global patterns of generational dispossession, where neoliberal governance alienates youth from their futures. The state’s reliance on performative legitimacy, such as ceremonial job fairs, without addressing wage stagnation or oligarchic control, risks what Habermas ( 1975 ) famously termed a legitimation crisis—a rupture between governing narratives and governed realities. 5.3 Discourse of Forgetting the Root Causes In the analysis of dominant words across the three YouTube media channels—CNN Indonesia, KompasTV, and TVOne—it was found that most of the words that appeared focused on the topics of "work" and "abroad." For example, the word "kerja" (work) appeared 27 times in CNN Indonesia, 76 times in KompasTV, and 61 times in TVOne. As can be seen in Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 , and Fig. 3 , words like "berangkat" (depart), "pekerja" (worker), and "bekerja" (work) also appeared repeatedly, reinforcing the narrative that steers the conversation towards the solution of working abroad as an answer to the issues faced by the younger generation. This discourse reveals that the media predominantly discusses job opportunities abroad as an alternative, without addressing the dissatisfaction or frustration that serves as the backdrop for the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu itself. The media framing, which emphasizes working abroad, suggests a distortion in the portrayal of the motivations of the youth involved in this movement. Words like “frustration”, “corruption”, “deteriorating economy”, and “inequality”—which form the core of the dissatisfaction fueling the use of the hashtag—are not present in the media discussions. This illustrates how the media directs public attention to view migration as the singular solution, without connecting it to broader structural factors such as social, political, and economic injustices (Triadafilopoulos & Taylor, 2024 ). The absence of these words in the media conversations also reflects how the media closes off space for deeper social criticism of Indonesia’s current conditions. Furthermore, the word 'mereka' (they) appeared 72 times on KompasTV, making it the second most frequent word after 'kerja' (work) (see at Fig. 1 ). In comparison, 'mereka' (they) ranked 13th on CNN and 3rd on TV One. As a result, in each word cloud, the word 'mereka' (they) is prominently displayed alongside key framing terms such as 'luar negeri' (overseas) and 'bekerja' (work) (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 ). This indicates a portrayal of the group wanting to work abroad and those using the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu as an 'outside' group, as if they are a separate entity from the larger Indonesian society, further emphasizing a distance or separation between this group and the local community. The dominance of words related to work and abroad also creates a narrative that obscures the real root of the problem, which is the injustice in the distribution of opportunities and welfare in Indonesia. By choosing to focus on migration as a solution, the media potentially reinforces the stigma (Ledford et al., 2022 ) that the answer to Indonesia's social and economic issues is to escape the country, rather than to attempt to improve the existing system. This shows a limitation in the representation of the movement, which could have more effectively raised issues such as political injustice, corruption, and the broader decline in quality of life, yet it is framed more as a personal issue that can be solved by leaving the country. From a Foucauldian perspective, power operates not only through direct action or policies but also through the control of knowledge and discourse (Foucault, 2000 ). In this case, mass media acts as an agent of public opinion formation, directing the public’s attention to certain narratives while disregarding others. By highlighting words like "kerja" (work) and "luar negeri" (abroad), the media not only obscures the deeper reasons behind #KaburAjaDulu but also strengthens the dominant narrative that emigration is a more rational choice than altering the existing system within the country. This discourse may influence the younger generation to think that substantial change can only be achieved by leaving their country, rather than by fighting to create change within it. Finally, it is important to question whether the media bears responsibility for presenting a more holistic and objective discussion about movements like #KaburAjaDulu. While the media has the right to emphasize more pragmatic solutions, such as working abroad, they should also provide space for discussions on the root causes of social, political, and economic issues faced by Indonesian youth. Without discussions about underlying causes such as inequality, corruption, and policies that do not favor the people, the narrative shaped by the media may lead to the individualization of problems, where each person is seen as fully responsible for their decisions, without recognizing the larger structural factors at play. Conclusion This research reveals how the power relations at play in the #KaburAjaDulu movement, where media institutions attempt to appear neutral, inadvertently reinforce dominant power structures by framing youth migration as a debate between the government and its critics. By portraying the hashtag as either a rational response to economic hardship or an act of disloyalty, the media constructs an in-group (government) versus out-group (youth) dynamic. In doing so, the media often reduces the deeper, more complex frustrations that fuel the hashtag’s viral spread. Rather than addressing the root causes of youth discontent, such as economic instability and systemic exclusion, the media positions itself as an impartial referee—allowing the government and critics to voice their perspectives without critically analyzing or questioning the structural issues at the heart of the debate. Given its closeness to power, the media, whether intentionally or not, struggles to advocate for the people. This approach turns the media into a mediator of discourse rather than an active participant in uncovering the underlying causes of youth frustration. The comment sections, however, offer an alternative space where youth reclaim legitimacy, reframing migration as a necessary escape from these systemic failures rather than as a betrayal of the nation. This study offers important findings regarding the discourse of the #KaburAjaDulu movement, but several limitations exist. The research focuses on three primary YouTube channels, which may not fully capture the diversity of mass media in Indonesia. Future research should include a broader range of mass media across different socio-political contexts, particularly examining how government-affiliated and independent platforms frame youth migration. A more interdisciplinary approach is needed, exploring how youth dissatisfaction, migration trends, and demonstrative movements—both online through hashtags and offline—intersect with government policies perceived as opposing the interests of the public. Mapping the media landscape based on its political affiliations and examining the discourses within can provide fresh perspectives on how migration narratives are constructed. 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1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":206944,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eWordcloud from Kompas TV\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7017121/v1/91f7572a27bdafc6c4da6ace.png"},{"id":96364009,"identity":"9f073208-0944-451a-981b-4f67f494b69c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-20 10:08:46","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":215669,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eWordcloud from CNN Indonesia\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7017121/v1/45f284bb41d57b5caf3bcb99.png"},{"id":96363178,"identity":"97d91b34-0d5e-42af-b79b-fcb963d3f3fe","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-20 10:05:14","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":104504,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eWordcloud from TVOne\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7017121/v1/e72393aed984640f8bca6e31.png"},{"id":106922487,"identity":"cfb1d806-3401-47f1-a15f-2b464016d3bb","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-14 20:24:54","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1024829,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7017121/v1/1afc3ea2-d866-4881-8a44-2cbf93987f45.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"#KaburAjaDulu as Digital Protest: Media Framing and Youth Counter-Narratives of 'Escaping Indonesia' in YouTube Discourses","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe hashtag #KaburAjaDulu, which translates to \"Let's Escape from Indonesia,\" has gained significant traction in Indonesia's social media landscape, particularly as a rallying call for online communities. Initially, this hashtag symbolized the desire to travel abroad, offering a virtual escape from the daily grind. However, in recent years, its meaning has expanded beyond personal escape, reflecting a broader political and social movement (Malamassam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). The hashtag has become a powerful symbol of disillusionment with Indonesia’s political and economic conditions, especially among Generation Z and undergraduate students. These youth, disillusioned by political instability, corruption, and high unemployment, have used the hashtag to express their desire for better opportunities abroad and to demonstrate their frustrations with the socio-economic system (Malamassam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Saud et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis movement has led to protests in major cities across Indonesia, with millions participating in calls for socio-political change and improved living conditions. The hashtag #KaburAjaDulu emerged alongside the “Indonesia Gelap” (“Dark Indonesia”) protests, both reflecting growing frustration among young Indonesians over budget cuts, limited opportunities, and perceived democratic decline. While thousands of students marched in cities like Yogyakarta to oppose President Prabowo Subianto’s policies (Satriawan \u0026amp; Budiman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e), many others expressed their frustrations online, voicing a symbolic desire to leave the country. Government responses—some dismissive and even hostile—further fueled public anger, with officials using phrases like \u003cem\u003e\"ndasmu\"\u003c/em\u003e (“your head!”—a Javanese slang often used to insult or belittle someone) and \u003cem\u003e\"kabur sajalah\"\u003c/em\u003e (“just run away, then”), even adding \u003cem\u003e\"don’t bother coming back\"\u003c/em\u003e in some cases (Ayu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Taneko, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). As noted by Khozen (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e), these movements highlight deeper concerns about the erosion of democratic values and the increasing dominance of oligarchic interests in national politics.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe hashtag #KaburAjaDulu has resonated widely, from influencers to ordinary citizens, reaching digital communities and mainstream media, particularly through the three most prominent YouTube-based outlets in Indonesia: CNN Indonesia, TVOne, and KompasTV. These media have amplified the movement, embedding it into the national socio-political conversation. Their portrayal of the hashtag can be analyzed through discourse theory, as media functions as an ideological state apparatus shaping public discourse (Althusser, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1971\u003c/span\u003e). Language, as Foucault argues, enforces power and social norms (Foucault, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e).. Through its framing of #KaburAjaDulu, the media constructs a narrative that reflects youth frustrations while influencing public attitudes toward migration and socio-political reform. The media’s power dynamics often emphasize migration as a potential solution to Indonesia’s political and economic crises (Schrøder, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1998\u003c/span\u003e; Turkel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecent studies highlight the evolving landscape of social movements in Indonesia, particularly focusing on youth involvement and digital activism. Cyberprotest has emerged as a new form of social movement, where online platforms are used to mobilize support and express dissent (Ratnasari et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Rohman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). This shift has been especially evident in movements like #ReformasiDikorupsi and #TolakOmnibusLaw, which leveraged both online and offline strategies to address critical issues, including democracy, political dynasties, and controversial legislation (Muqsith et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Wahyuningroem et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). These movements reflect the growing role of youth in Indonesia’s political landscape, as young people increasingly take to digital platforms to voice their frustrations and push for change. The rise of digital activism is a clear demonstration of how youth are using technology to challenge entrenched systems of power (Muliono \u0026amp; Nasuhaidi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, the diversity of social movements in Indonesia is expanding, with new forms of activism emerging. Islamic perspectives on social protests have contributed to these movements, emphasizing principles of rights and obligations as they engage with socio-political issues (Kuswana et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Alongside this, women’s movements have gained prominence, advocating for policies that address societal concerns and support gender equality (Kulsum et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). The student movement continues to be a significant force for social change, demonstrating the power of youth in driving political and social transformation (Sastramidjaja, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Additionally, peasant movements, as part of the broader anti-globalization effort, reflect the broader scope of grassroots activism that continues to shape Indonesia’s political landscape (Suharko, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). This growing trend of digital and offline activism is mirrored in the #KaburAjaDulu movement, where youth, through both social media and street protests, articulate their dissatisfaction with Indonesia’s political and economic systems.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis research is significant because it addresses a new and evolving phenomenon in Indonesia, where youth, disillusioned by political instability and economic challenges, are turning to the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu to express their desire to escape to other countries. While digital activism and social media movements have been studied, little research has focused on how these movements, especially #KaburAjaDulu, gain traction through social media and traditional media. What makes this study particularly unique is its focus on YouTube, a real-time, interactive engagement platform that offers a dynamic space for youth to voice their frustrations. This real-time participation allows for a more immediate and personal expression, which sets it apart from traditional media analyses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study will examine how mainstream media like CNN Indonesia, TVOne, and KompasTV frame the hashtag and how public reactions in the comment sections shape perceptions of migration and socio-political dissatisfaction. This research contributes to filling a gap in understanding how media portrayal and youth responses interact, especially in the context of political and economic frustrations in contemporary Indonesia. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the discourse surrounding the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu, particularly in relation to youth disillusionment with Indonesia's political and economic conditions. The research will address three key questions:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow is the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu framed by TVOne, KompasTV, and CNN Indonesia in their coverage?\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow do public responses in the comment sections of these media outlets shape perceptions of migration and socio-political dissatisfaction?\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow do media portrayals of #KaburAjaDulu influence youth attitudes toward Indonesia’s political and economic conditions, particularly regarding the desire to migrate for better opportunities?\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy addressing these questions, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the influence of media and public discourse on the socio-political landscape in Indonesia, especially regarding the growing desire for migration among youth as a response to the current political and economic climate.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Theoretical Review: Critical Discourse Analysis","content":"\u003cp\u003eCritical Discourse Analysis (CDA) will be used to examine how the discourse surrounding the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu functions within power relations and societal ideologies in Indonesia. CDA, as developed by scholars like Norman Fairclough (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e) and Teun A. van Dijk (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1993\u003c/span\u003e), emphasizes the role of language in constructing social realities, reinforcing power structures, and shaping public perceptions. Fairclough’s approach focuses on the interplay between discourse, power, and social practices, particularly how media representations reflect and influence societal ideologies (Fairclough, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e; Schrøder, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1998\u003c/span\u003e). This framework will be used to analyze how the language surrounding the hashtag constructs a narrative that reflects or challenges the dominant political and economic structures in Indonesia, particularly in response to the increasing dissatisfaction among youth regarding political instability and economic hardship.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt its core, CDA posits that discourse is not just a vehicle for conveying information but an active site of power dynamics where ideologies are reinforced or contested (Dijk, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). The language used in media, including metaphor, modality, and framing, plays a crucial role in constructing narratives that shape how issues are understood and acted upon (Chang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002\u003c/span\u003e). CDA reveals how certain linguistic choices in media portrayals can influence societal perceptions and behaviors by promoting or marginalizing particular ideologies. This approach allows us to uncover the underlying power structures that shape public discourse, revealing how language perpetuates social inequalities or calls for change (Benford \u0026amp; Snow, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e; Chong \u0026amp; Druckman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the age of social media, CDA extends its relevance by examining the complexities of digital discourse (López \u0026amp; Sabucedo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). Social media platforms provide a space for rapid and widespread dissemination of ideas, amplifying collective sentiments and shaping public opinion in real time (Dahl, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Analyzing the discourse on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube offers valuable insights into how societal dissatisfaction with political and economic systems is expressed and circulated, forming the basis for social movements and political engagement (Karami et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Prayudi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). The nature of social media discourse—brief and often fragmented—poses unique challenges for CDA, as it can obscure deeper ideological undercurrents. However, integrating CDA principles with modern sentiment analysis and digital tools allows for a deeper understanding of how online discourse influences public perception, particularly in relation to political dissatisfaction and social movements (Lee et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Research Method","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis research employs a critical paradigm and adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the discourse surrounding the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu. The critical paradigm is chosen because it focuses on understanding how power relations and social ideologies are constructed and challenged in discourse, particularly in relation to political and economic dissatisfaction (Cresswell, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e; Snelson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). The qualitative component utilizes Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), based on Fairclough\u0026rsquo;s framework (2001), to explore how media outlets such as TVOne, KompasTV, and CNN Indonesia frame socio-political issues and youth dissatisfaction. Quantitative data is obtained from the most frequently used words in the conversations within the videos, processed using NVIVO to generate a word map.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1 Primary Data\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe primary data used in this study is sourced from talkshows on YouTube by three Indonesian media, Kompas TV, TVOne, and CNN Indonesia. These videos were selected for their direct focus on the #KaburAjaDulu phenomenon, making them highly relevant for analyzing public discourse on youth frustration and migration. The video views, comments, and likes provide an authentic representation of public engagement with the hashtag. Additionally, comments from the YouTube comment sections were downloaded using the WebHarvy app (WebHarvy, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), offering a valuable dataset for further analysis of public sentiment. This data is crucial for conducting Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), allowing for an exploration of how the media constructs the narrative around migration and how the public responds to it. The following Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e summarizes key metrics for each video:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eResearch object\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMedia Channel\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVideo Title\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDuration\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eViews\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eComments\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLikes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKompas TV\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGovernment Policy Under Scrutiny, Youth Spread #KaburAjaDulu\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52:09 min\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e231,000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2,423\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2,800\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTVOne\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eViral #KaburAjaDulu, Rational or Emotional?\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1:12:42 hr\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e293,000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2,178\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3,100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCNN Indonesia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e#KaburAjaDulu, Opportunity or Trap?\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21:03 min\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1,900,000\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.2 Data Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eData analysis is conducted using two main methods. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is applied to analyze the discourse in the videos and comments, focusing on how language functions in framing issues of political and economic dissatisfaction in Indonesia. This analysis identifies how the media frames these issues and how public responses in the comments either reflect or challenge these frames. Additionally, the data is processed using NVivo 12 software to analyze the frequency of words used in the media talkshows. The word frequency analysis helps identify recurring themes and key terms. A word cloud is generated to visually represent the most frequently used words, providing an intuitive view of the discourse surrounding youth frustration and migration.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Result","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e4.1 CNN Indonesia on #KaburAjaDulu Hashtag\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe discussion surrounding the hashtag \"#KaburAjaDulu\" in the CNN video reflects the discontent of a significant portion of Indonesian society, especially the younger generation, regarding the socio-economic conditions they perceive as unsupportive. This hashtag has become a symbol for those who feel that the opportunities available in the country are too limited, with the hope of seeking a better life abroad. In an interview with the Minister of Migrant Worker Protection, Abdul Kadir Karding, and migrant worker Rian Suryadi, there are differing views on how to view this phenomenon. The government is trying to provide a more constructive perspective by encouraging the public to work abroad legally, while some individuals still feel deep injustices within the country.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Well, actually, in my opinion, the hashtag shouldn\u0026rsquo;t be \u0026lsquo;kabur-kabur.\u0026rsquo; \u0026hellip; \u0026lsquo;Kabur,\u0026rsquo; whatever the reason, has a negative connotation. In my opinion, just work abroad first,\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;As the younger generation, what should we do to address domestic issues? Let\u0026rsquo;s work together and support the government,\u0026rdquo; he added.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKarding attempts to replace the negative connotation of the hashtag \"kabur\" with a more solution-oriented approach, namely \"just work abroad first.\" According to Karding, this narrative is more constructive and encourages the younger generation to seize the opportunity to work abroad legally as a means of improving their economic situation. In addition, he emphasizes that as the younger generation, they must also support the government in tackling socio-economic problems domestically, working together to improve the situation. However, this approach may be seen as not addressing the deep-rooted concerns, where injustice and economic uncertainty are perceived as the underlying problems that drive people to seek opportunities abroad.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePresenter\u0026rsquo;s question: \u003cem\u003e\"Well, if we look at past experiences, there have been several of our migrant workers, especially low-skilled workers, who have had bad experiences. There are many cases in Myanmar where migrant workers were held captive and forced into scamming. What steps are you taking to protect them?\"\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMinister\u0026rsquo;s response: \u003cem\u003e\"So, you see, most of the problems faced domestically are by those who depart illegally or unprocedurally. Most of them are low-skilled. So the solution is simple: don\u0026rsquo;t depart unprocedurally.\"\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe presenter did not probe further regarding the role of the younger generation, which Minister Karding emphasized in supporting the government in addressing socio-economic issues domestically. Instead, the presenter continued the discussion on low-skilled migrant workers facing issues abroad. Although Minister Karding briefly mentioned that this issue is part of a larger system and not solely the responsibility of the current government, the presenter steered the conversation back to procedural issues, not delving into Karding\u0026rsquo;s comments on the younger generation\u0026rsquo;s support for the government or criticisms of previous administrations.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMinister Karding\u0026rsquo;s statement regarding migrant workers leaving illegally indicates his focus on the importance of legal and procedural migration to ensure protection for migrant workers. He stated that the problems faced by Indonesian migrant workers are mostly a result of illegal or unprocedural migration, which often involves low-skilled workers. While this is valid, criticism arises because many who are trapped in illegal migration lack sufficient information about proper procedures. Thus, Karding\u0026rsquo;s suggestion to avoid unprocedural migration may not fully address the root cause of the injustice driving illegal migration.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I do agree with your opinion on the hashtag '#KaburAjaDulu,' which has a somewhat negative connotation. For the hashtag 'work abroad first,'\" (Rian Suryadi statements).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRian Suryadi, who works in Australia, expressed his agreement that the connotation of #KaburAjaDulu is negative, suggesting it should be replaced with \"work abroad first.\" However, he also acknowledged that the situation that drives people to seek work abroad is not solely about wanting to \"escape,\" but more about the deep need to improve their living conditions. The desire to work abroad is aimed at achieving financial stability. Rian emphasized that the real challenge within the country is how to create more job opportunities to accommodate a larger population, and not merely focus on the correct procedures for working abroad.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe discussion presented on CNN regarding the hashtag \"#KaburAjaDulu\" contrasts with many of the comments that emerged from the public on social media. In the interview with Minister Karding, the conversation was more focused on the government's efforts to improve migrant worker procedures and change the negative connotation of \"escape\" to \"work abroad first.\" However, the comments from the audience reflect a deep dissatisfaction with the political, economic, and governance conditions in Indonesia. Most comments highlight issues of corruption that are perceived to be rampant, as well as the injustices felt across various sectors, making the younger generation feel frustrated and anxious about their future in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Corruption is rampant, from ordinary citizens to high-ranking officials. Mafias everywhere\u0026mdash;health mafia, education mafia, land mafia, even street mafia. Many security officers, who should protect, are instead robbing, extorting, and killing.\" (@bergas975)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Who would stay in Indonesia with all these rats? The KPK should eradicate the rats, but they\u0026rsquo;re actually protecting them.\" (@asusm2-zy4dt)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese comments illustrate the public\u0026rsquo;s anger towards unjust social conditions and the lack of trust in institutions that are supposed to protect the citizens. The user @bergas975 points out the widespread corruption that extends from low levels to high officials, calling it part of a mafia that is destroying the system. Meanwhile, @asusm2-zy4dt refers to \"rats\" as a metaphor for corrupt officials who are untouchable by law, even though they are being protected by the KPK, which should be fighting corruption. These comments reflect the despair caused by structural injustice, which leaves many feeling that there is no hope for improving the situation domestically.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"What drives people to want to leave Indonesia is actually an institutional problem... there is no legal certainty, justice is difficult to achieve, chaos everywhere, uncomfortable environment, unclear government policies... the future looks bleak.\" (@kurtubisudjono8785)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The worst thing about living abroad is that at least the law is clear and cannot be bought with money. Unlike in Indonesia.\" (@utarisusanti7200).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese opinions represent the frustration of many, especially those who feel marginalized. They loudly voice that the main issue pushing many people to seek life abroad is not just economic, but also institutional problems that are not being addressed. Legal uncertainty, ongoing injustice, and unclear government policies make the future in Indonesia seem bleak. This sense of frustration highlights that, even though salaries in Indonesia may be considered low, the root of the problem lies in social injustice and a government that does not side with the people.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e4.2 Kompas TV on #KaburAjaDulu Hashtag\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe phenomenon of the hashtag \"#KaburAjaDulu\" reflects the frustration of Indonesia's younger generation toward various issues they face in the economic, social, and political realms. This hashtag, which has spread widely, symbolizes the desire to seek a better life abroad, as many young people feel that Indonesia does not provide sufficient opportunities, particularly in terms of employment and stable living. The dissatisfaction with government policies, perceived as unsupportive of the youth, exacerbates this situation. The desire to leave the country becomes a response to growing feelings of despair and frustration.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The expression of disappointment about various economic, social, and political issues in Indonesia gave rise to the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu, which became widespread and a topic of discussion. This hashtag reflects the frustration of society, particularly the youth, with the situation in their homeland, leading them to seek a better life abroad\" (Kompas TV Presenter).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe hashtag #KaburAjaDulu not only reflects complaints but also highlights deep dissatisfaction with the current conditions in Indonesia. The perceived undervaluation of the younger generation, combined with the difficulties they face in finding decent work, has led many to consider leaving the country. This frustration drives efforts to find better opportunities abroad, whether for work or to obtain a better education. With the rise of social media, these sentiments have spread, creating space for discussion and protest against the injustices present.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"First, the anger of the youth; second, we must recognize that there are opportunities abroad; third, how do we prepare our youth? This is known in English as school-to-work transition\" (Expert Statement).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The current policy, with budget tightening and perhaps a bloated cabinet, makes it seem like the government is not seriously addressing the opportunities for young people to work\" (Expert Statement).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"BBC Indonesia, in an interview with Indonesian youth: 'I don\u0026rsquo;t see a meaningful future. I don\u0026rsquo;t want to die as an Indonesian'\" (Expert Statement).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe expert\u0026rsquo;s statements reflect three important perspectives regarding the frustration of the younger generation: first, anger at government policies that do not favor them; second, the recognition of opportunities abroad as an alternative for a better life; and third, the need for proper preparation for the youth, especially in the transition from education to the workforce. This process, known as school-to-work transition, is key for youth to adapt to the demands of the labor market. However, another issue arises due to government policies, which are seen as not serious about providing employment opportunities for the younger generation, further worsening their pessimism about the future in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"There must be some people who are talented, high-skilled, and given the opportunity to be abroad without us labeling them as unpatriotic, anti-NKRI, and so on\" (Expert Statement).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"There are two things that really need attention (for working abroad): first, English proficiency, and second, confidence in presenting\" (Expert Statement).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe expert emphasizes the importance of giving talented young Indonesians the opportunity to develop abroad without labeling them as unpatriotic. High-skilled youth deserve the chance to thrive in a more supportive environment. However, they must prepare well, particularly in mastering English and developing the confidence to present themselves in front of an international audience. These skills are crucial to facing global challenges and opening up greater opportunities abroad.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eComments in the YouTube comment section of the Kompas TV video further reinforce the dissatisfaction with the conditions in Indonesia. Many comments encourage young people to seek opportunities abroad, given the perceived lack of support in the country. Some comments highlight the difficulties young people face, such as low wages and limited access to decent job opportunities. This reinforces the notion that many youth feel frustrated and see brighter prospects abroad. Not only in terms of employment, but also in terms of quality of life, where they believe working abroad offers a better chance for personal development and a more decent life.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"For young people, don\u0026rsquo;t waste your time. There\u0026rsquo;s no hope for a better life in Indonesia. From 20 to 30 years old, just 10 years. I guarantee your life will be better. If you want to go to Southeast Asia, try Malaysia or Singapore. But it\u0026rsquo;s better to go to Korea or Japan. If you want to save more, go to Europe, don\u0026rsquo;t waste time, in Indonesia there\u0026rsquo;s no hope. Hopefully, we all, the youth, can do better in the future\" (@ErfanSetiawan-nj5iu).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Luckily, my child has already escaped and is working as an expatriate in a global company in Singapore. In Indonesia, you work maximum, but get minimum pay. The fifth principle is only displayed on the walls of government offices in Indonesia\u0026hellip;\" (@davidleeroth007).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese comments shows deep disappointment with Indonesia\u0026rsquo;s economic conditions and suggest young people seek opportunities abroad. One comment expresses that working abroad during one\u0026rsquo;s productive years offers a better life than staying in Indonesia. Another comment shows pride in a child who works abroad, as they believe that working in Indonesia only results in low wages and poor job conditions. These comments underscore a lack of trust in the government's promises about \"Indonesia Emas 2045,\" which are seen as mere slogans without real implementation. This further reinforces the notion that many young people view seeking a better life abroad as a more realistic option than staying in Indonesia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdditional comments from social media users strengthen the view that many parents support their children\u0026rsquo;s decision to seek opportunities abroad. One user @sulistiowatisulis3592 mentioned that they had decided to live abroad and planned to return to Indonesia only after retirement, as living abroad provided a better quality of life. They even encouraged their children to go abroad to avoid being trapped in difficult conditions in Indonesia. Another user (@emakaa5074) also expressed support for children working abroad, encouraging them to master English as preparation for a better future. These comments show that many parents now prefer to encourage their children to seek opportunities abroad, viewing it as a more promising chance than staying in Indonesia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003e4.3 TVOne on #KaburAjaDulu Hashtag\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe discussion on TVOne regarding the hashtag \"#KaburAjaDulu\" featured various speakers offering differing perspectives. Initially, the Minister of Manpower viewed workers who chose to work abroad and leave Indonesia as unpatriotic. He argued that the difficulty in securing decent employment in Indonesia was not a valid reason to \"flee\" abroad, especially when social media was used to express dissatisfaction. However, this view was not well-received by many. One such dissenting voice came from Bunda Korla, a diaspora in Germany, who said:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"They get opportunities to work abroad, that does not necessarily reduce their nationalism or patriotism, right?\" (Bunda Korla, Diaspora in Germany)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Wanting to work abroad and being called unpatriotic is not right for the young people today who are trying to go abroad\" (Bunda Korla, Diaspora in Germany).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMany individuals who choose to work abroad believe that finding employment in Indonesia is extremely difficult. They complain about strict requirements, such as age, height, educational degrees, and even needing connections within companies. Many feel trapped in a system full of bureaucratic obstacles. As a result, they believe it is better to seek employment abroad, where the pay is higher and working conditions more comfortable, than to continue struggling in an inaccessible domestic job market. Chiki Fawzi, a young entrepreneur and artist, shared his thoughts on life abroad:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"If we think about why we should flee from Indonesia, it means something is wrong. Something is making us uncomfortable, and that's why we want to flee. Isn\u0026rsquo;t that right?\" (Chiki Fawzi, Young Entrepreneur/Artist)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"But life abroad is actually comfortable. And how should I say, I started my career as an animator in Malaysia from the bottom. The salary wasn\u0026rsquo;t much, but the life and all the facilities that the country provided were very comfortable\" (Chiki Fawzi, Young Entrepreneur/Artist).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChiki Fawzi also discussed his reasons for returning to Indonesia, emphasizing that the Indonesian government should pay more attention to the welfare of domestic workers. Devie Rahmawati, a social observer from the University of Indonesia, added that post-pandemic, finding work is indeed difficult. However, she believes that Indonesia has vast potential, and the main challenge is how to prepare the workforce to be competitive both domestically and internationally.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, many migrant workers do not have smooth experiences abroad. Deputy Minister of Manpower, Zulfikar, highlighted the large number of migrant workers who end up in illegal jobs or face conditions far from expectations. They often struggle to return home after working in conditions that do not match their contracts or after encountering other problems. The government continues to work on improving the migrant worker dispatch system to ensure they can work with adequate protection.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Deputy Minister of Manpower stated that the government must be responsible for providing decent employment opportunities for its citizens. He emphasized:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It is our duty, as a state, our duty as the government, Prabowo-Gibran, to fight against things that harm the people. And today, we are here, this country is present among the people. A simple example, my friends, the online motorcycle taxi drivers, they fought the other day regarding their holiday allowance.\"\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Our task as a state is to provide employment opportunities for them. That\u0026rsquo;s why Pak Prabowo always says we have the budget, and we will invest it in creating jobs.\"\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, the Deputy Minister of BP2PTI (Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection and Placement Agency) also discussed the requirements that migrant workers must meet:\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Our ministry has something called the five preparedness: physical readiness, mental readiness, being far from family, and the second and third are document readiness\u0026mdash;complete documents like passports, visas, and Cisco P2Mii\u0026mdash;and the fourth is competency readiness. They must have competence. They must have competence, like Ms. Chiki earlier, who has competence in the animation sector. And the fifth is vision readiness.\"\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Deputy Minister of Manpower wrapped up the discussion by mentioning the significant challenges faced by Indonesia and other large countries experiencing an aging population. With Indonesia's demographic bonus, the country must prepare a skilled workforce to meet global market demands. The government needs to create proactive policies to develop the workforce\u0026rsquo;s competencies, both domestically and for migrant workers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eComments on on YouTube, reinforce the notion that finding employment in Indonesia is indeed very difficult. Many people believe that the requirements for obtaining a job are unreasonable. The increasing burden of requirements, such as age limits, required work experience, and even height, has become a major obstacle for many job applicants. Coupled with the high cost of education, many young people opt to stop attending university and move to vocational training centers (LPK) seen as more practical. Graduating from university does not guarantee passing the strict employment exams, leaving many feeling trapped and struggling to find work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Why isn't it discussed that making a police certificate (SKCK) requires BPJS (Health Insurance)? Job seekers and the unemployed are confused. They don\u0026rsquo;t have the money to pay BPJS, and now to get an SKCK for work, they\u0026rsquo;re told to use BPJS. The country is crazy... BPJS is already struggling financially\" (@roydeeyaa6239).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I can understand the feeling of being unemployed. Imagine waking up, wanting to have coffee or breakfast but not having money, looking for a job is hard, and the chance to be accepted abroad is there. Who cares about nationalism? People who are unemployed can\u0026rsquo;t even afford coffee or breakfast. Not to mention the needs of elderly parents and younger siblings. Just imagine\" (@sujatmikoafandi8610).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome comments also criticize the minister's performance, accusing him of not offering concrete solutions to the problems at hand. One netizen expressed their disappointment after watching the minister's statement, feeling that it did not provide clear answers regarding unemployment and job opportunities:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The minister is rambling. I watched hoping to hear a solution, but instead, he told stories\" (@sesilhappy7109).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeanwhile, another netizen argued that the debate took a turn without offering clear solutions: \"Noel is just turning the debate around\" (@budirusiadi6848).\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e5.1 In-group vs. out-group in the #KaburAjaDulu discourse\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe #KaburAjaDulu discourse highlights the deep-rooted in-group/out-group divide between Indonesian youth and government institutions, constructed through language choices across media platforms. Government representatives frequently use exclusionary rhetoric, labeling youth who contemplate migration as \"unpatriotic.\" This negative portrayal of critics serves to delegitimize their concerns and dissent (Wodak, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Such framing further reinforces a divide, creating a clear distinction between those in power and those who feel marginalized (Hindman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; van Hulst et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne striking example comes from President Prabowo Subianto himself, who, in public speeches, used the phrase \u003cem\u003e\"ndasmu\"\u003c/em\u003e, a slang term in Javanese. Literally, it translates to \"your head,\" but in this context, it is an insulting and dismissive way of belittling someone, akin to saying \u0026ldquo;shut up\u0026rdquo; or \"you're being foolish.\" Later, he referred to protesters using the hashtag #IndonesiaGelap (#DarkIndonesia) as \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;kalian yang gelap,\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e which translates to \u003cem\u003e\"you who are dark.\"\u003c/em\u003e The word \u0026ldquo;dark\u0026rdquo; is used here metaphorically, indicating that the protesters are ignorant, with the intention of publicly insulting them. This discursive strategy not only dismisses the concerns of critical youth but also turns their criticisms into personal insults, reinforcing ideological polarization that maintains power structures (van Dijk, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Such derogatory language positions youth as \u0026ldquo;outsiders\u0026rdquo; to the national identity, further exacerbating divisions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mass media reinforces the divide between youth and the government by selectively framing discourse, reinforcing the us vs. them binary. For example, CNN Indonesia focused primarily on migration procedures while avoiding systemic critique of the underlying issues that fuel youth discontent. Fairclough (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e) argues that media discourse can mask structural inequalities by presenting seemingly neutral narratives that ignore the power dynamics. By juxtaposing government statements with migrant worker testimonies without providing deeper analysis, the media inadvertently perpetuates existing power imbalances (Lovera-Bilderbeek \u0026amp; Lahiri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), failing to critically challenge the government\u0026rsquo;s underlying assumptions about youth migration. This selective framing exemplifies what Mateus (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e) calls \u0026ldquo;structural invisibility,\u0026rdquo; whereby the media\u0026rsquo;s choice to focus on the procedural aspects of migration obscures deeper structural causes such as economic inequality, political instability, and corruption. By avoiding confrontation with these issues, the media perpetuates a narrative that hides the root causes of youth discontent, reinforcing the status quo.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn response, youth and their supporters strategically employ linguistic techniques to challenge their marginalization. Phrases like \u0026ldquo;frustrated generation,\u0026rdquo; used by KompasTV, and \u0026ldquo;victims of the system,\u0026rdquo; seen in YouTube comments, help form a collective identity that directly confronts the official narrative. Wodak's, (2022) concept of constructive strategies shows how subordinate groups assert their agency through alternative framing. Comments like \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;KPK (Indonesian Anti-Corruption Agency) nurtures corrupt rats\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e capture the emotional intensity that illustrates affective discourse, where emotionally charged language challenges and disrupts the dominant rationalist narrative typically found in mainstream media (Wetherell et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe hashtag #KaburAjaDulu became a linguistic battleground, with the government attempting to reframe its meaning. The attempt to replace \u0026ldquo;escape\u0026rdquo; with \u0026ldquo;work abroad\u0026rdquo; is an example of recontextualization, stripping it of its critical connotations (Wodak, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). This struggle for meaning reflects a broader struggle to control language and political narratives, as Fairclough, (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1985\u003c/span\u003e) argues\u0026mdash;where controlling language is tantamount to controlling social reality. The youth\u0026rsquo;s resistance to this linguistic co-optation demonstrates their keen awareness of the role of discourse in shaping social reality and their refusal to let the government dictate the terms of their dissent.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKompas TV discusses the dynamics surrounding youth frustrations by incorporating historical context. By referencing past movements such as #ReformBetrayed, the coverage creates intertextual connections highlighting recurring patterns of youth-state conflict. This approach aligns with the historical perspective outlined by Wodak (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e), who emphasizes how discourse shapes collective memory and reflects ongoing tensions between youth and the government. One young man\u0026rsquo;s emotional testimony, \u0026ldquo;I don\u0026rsquo;t want to die as an Indonesian,\u0026rdquo; powerfully connects current frustrations to Indonesia\u0026rsquo;s long history of unfulfilled promises of reform, illustrating how media discourse reflects and constructs collective memory of political disappointment (Wodak, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn contrast, YouTube\u0026rsquo;s comment section offers a more raw and unmediated space where these dynamics unfold. Comments such as \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;crazy country\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;corrupt rat\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e use unfiltered, everyday language to reject the polite political discourse presented by the government and mainstream media. This illustrates the concept of a counter-public sphere, where marginalized groups develop oppositional discourses to challenge dominant narratives (Fraser, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e). These comments\u0026rsquo; visceral and personal language directly challenges the depoliticized framing of youth migration, exposing deeper socio-economic realities often hidden in media depictions. Reducing these complex issues to discussions of national loyalty rather than material concerns leads to a moral evaluation of youth motivations, obscuring the real issues at hand (van Leeuwen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). It creates a \u0026ldquo;false dichotomy\u0026rdquo; that distracts from real policy failures and frames youth migration as a symbolic struggle for identity and belonging rather than a response to structural inequalities (Wodak, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). This analysis reveals how language reflects social divisions and actively constructs and perpetuates them.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e5.2 Legitimation Strategies in the #KaburAjaDulu Discourse\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Indonesian government\u0026rsquo;s legitimation strategies in the #KaburAjaDulu discourse rely on a dual framework of bureaucratic rationalization and nationalist moralism. By categorizing migration into \"procedural\" (legal) and \"unprocedural\" (illegal) pathways, authorities employ institutional authorization (van Leeuwen, 2008) to validate only state-sanctioned mobility. This bifurcation delegitimizes economically forced migration, framing it as a failure of individual compliance rather than systemic neglect. Such rhetoric echoes Ong's (2006) critique of neoliberal citizenship, where governments shift the responsibility of social welfare onto individuals by labeling their struggles as the result of \"irrational\" choices. The Minister of Labor\u0026rsquo;s characterization of youth grievances as \"unpatriotic\" (TVOne) further illustrates the use of moral legitimation (van Leeuwen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), utilizing nationalist sentiment to quell opposition and delegitimize dissent (Wong, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn response, youth and diaspora actors delegitimize state narratives by exposing their material contradictions. Diaspora voices like Bunda Korla strategically invoke transnational lived experience \u003cem\u003e(\"Working abroad doesn\u0026rsquo;t reduce nationalism\")\u003c/em\u003e to challenge the government\u0026rsquo;s moral binaries. This aligns with the theory of counter-hegemonic discourse, where marginalized groups dismantle dominant ideologies by revealing their empirical falsehoods (Laclau \u0026amp; Mouffe, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e). Digital spaces amplify this tactic, as seen in viral critiques citing Indonesia\u0026rsquo;s youth unemployment rate (20.5% in 2023, per BPS)\u0026mdash;a statistical rebuttal to state claims of economic optimism. These efforts reflect discursive resistance, where subaltern groups reclaim epistemic authority from institutional elites (Hall et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMedia institutions play a pivotal role in reproducing state legitimacy through selective amplification. CNN Indonesia\u0026rsquo;s framing of migration as a \"skills mismatch\" issue (e.g., emphasizing language training) exemplifies technical legitimation, reducing structural labor crises to apolitical human capital deficits (Gottweis, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). By omitting critiques of wage suppression or corporate exploitation, such coverage naturalizes the state-capital collusion that drives precarious migration, which is referred to as accumulation by dispossession (Harvey, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Kompas TV\u0026rsquo;s reporting, while somewhat critical, still focuses on individual adaptability. It frames systemic failures as personal challenges to be overcome rather than highlighting the need for structural reform or collective action.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConversely, YouTube comment sections emerge as sites of radical delegitimation, deploying affective and empirical appeals to undermine state-media hegemony. Comments contrasting ministerial rhetoric with realities like rent inflation \u003cem\u003e(\"Minimum wage is not enough for rent!\")\u003c/em\u003e utilize experiential legitimation, prioritizing lived precarity over bureaucratic abstractions (Wodak, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Others use comparative benchmarks, such as \u003cem\u003e\"In Vietnam, the minimum wage is equivalent to 8\u0026nbsp;million,\"\u003c/em\u003e to expose policy failures, employing liberal comparison as a tactic to challenge nationalist exceptionalism (Risse, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). This grassroots critique is an example of Fraser (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e) concept of counter-publics, in which marginalized groups create alternative epistemologies by challenging dominant narratives and offering new ways of understanding social and political issues.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe state's delegitimation of dissent operates through discursive ridicule and erasure. Officials reduce youth protests to \u0026ldquo;fairytales,\u0026rdquo; using a tactic of trivialization legitimation to depoliticize dissent by infantilizing critics (van Dijk, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). At the same time, the media excludes labor union perspectives, such as FSPMI\u0026rsquo;s wage stagnation data, which amounts to structural silencing (Couldry, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e), removing collective labor critiques from public discourse. These strategies involve the use of symbolic violence, where power is not maintained through overt coercion, but by controlling the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable and \"sayable\" truth (Bourdieu, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYouth are reclaiming their legitimacy through trans-local solidarity networks, challenging state-imposed narratives. Diaspora influencers like Chiki Fawzi utilize their cultural capital to frame migration as a rational choice, not a desperate escape, with statements like \u0026ldquo;More comfortable working in Malaysia than in Indonesia,\u0026rdquo; shifting the narrative from failure to opportunity. This disrupts traditional nationalist ideologies, which assume loyalty to the nation should outweigh personal well-being. At the same time, student collectives leverage policy literacy to counter the government\u0026rsquo;s promises of creating \u0026ldquo;superior human resources,\u0026rdquo; using reports on education budget cuts to highlight systemic issues. By doing so, these youth challenge the state\u0026rsquo;s rhetoric with institutional knowledge, reflecting a broader movement where marginalized communities use their understanding of power structures to resist and create alternative spaces for political discourse.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUltimately, this legitimacy struggle reveals Indonesia\u0026rsquo;s post-reformasi paradox: a state that rhetorically champions youth empowerment while structurally excluding them from economic sovereignty. The #KaburAjaDulu movement mirrors global patterns of generational dispossession, where neoliberal governance alienates youth from their futures. The state\u0026rsquo;s reliance on performative legitimacy, such as ceremonial job fairs, without addressing wage stagnation or oligarchic control, risks what Habermas (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1975\u003c/span\u003e) famously termed a legitimation crisis\u0026mdash;a rupture between governing narratives and governed realities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e5.3 Discourse of Forgetting the Root Causes\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the analysis of dominant words across the three YouTube media channels\u0026mdash;CNN Indonesia, KompasTV, and TVOne\u0026mdash;it was found that most of the words that appeared focused on the topics of \"work\" and \"abroad.\" For example, the word \"kerja\" (work) appeared 27 times in CNN Indonesia, 76 times in KompasTV, and 61 times in TVOne. As can be seen in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, words like \"berangkat\" (depart), \"pekerja\" (worker), and \"bekerja\" (work) also appeared repeatedly, reinforcing the narrative that steers the conversation towards the solution of working abroad as an answer to the issues faced by the younger generation. This discourse reveals that the media predominantly discusses job opportunities abroad as an alternative, without addressing the dissatisfaction or frustration that serves as the backdrop for the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu itself.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe media framing, which emphasizes working abroad, suggests a distortion in the portrayal of the motivations of the youth involved in this movement. Words like \u0026ldquo;frustration\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;corruption\u0026rdquo;, \u0026ldquo;deteriorating economy\u0026rdquo;, and \u0026ldquo;inequality\u0026rdquo;\u0026mdash;which form the core of the dissatisfaction fueling the use of the hashtag\u0026mdash;are not present in the media discussions. This illustrates how the media directs public attention to view migration as the singular solution, without connecting it to broader structural factors such as social, political, and economic injustices (Triadafilopoulos \u0026amp; Taylor, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). The absence of these words in the media conversations also reflects how the media closes off space for deeper social criticism of Indonesia\u0026rsquo;s current conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the word 'mereka' (they) appeared 72 times on KompasTV, making it the second most frequent word after 'kerja' (work) (see at Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). In comparison, 'mereka' (they) ranked 13th on CNN and 3rd on TV One. As a result, in each word cloud, the word 'mereka' (they) is prominently displayed alongside key framing terms such as 'luar negeri' (overseas) and 'bekerja' (work) (see Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). This indicates a portrayal of the group wanting to work abroad and those using the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu as an 'outside' group, as if they are a separate entity from the larger Indonesian society, further emphasizing a distance or separation between this group and the local community.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe dominance of words related to work and abroad also creates a narrative that obscures the real root of the problem, which is the injustice in the distribution of opportunities and welfare in Indonesia. By choosing to focus on migration as a solution, the media potentially reinforces the stigma (Ledford et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) that the answer to Indonesia's social and economic issues is to escape the country, rather than to attempt to improve the existing system. This shows a limitation in the representation of the movement, which could have more effectively raised issues such as political injustice, corruption, and the broader decline in quality of life, yet it is framed more as a personal issue that can be solved by leaving the country.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom a Foucauldian perspective, power operates not only through direct action or policies but also through the control of knowledge and discourse (Foucault, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e). In this case, mass media acts as an agent of public opinion formation, directing the public\u0026rsquo;s attention to certain narratives while disregarding others. By highlighting words like \"kerja\" (work) and \"luar negeri\" (abroad), the media not only obscures the deeper reasons behind #KaburAjaDulu but also strengthens the dominant narrative that emigration is a more rational choice than altering the existing system within the country. This discourse may influence the younger generation to think that substantial change can only be achieved by leaving their country, rather than by fighting to create change within it.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinally, it is important to question whether the media bears responsibility for presenting a more holistic and objective discussion about movements like #KaburAjaDulu. While the media has the right to emphasize more pragmatic solutions, such as working abroad, they should also provide space for discussions on the root causes of social, political, and economic issues faced by Indonesian youth. Without discussions about underlying causes such as inequality, corruption, and policies that do not favor the people, the narrative shaped by the media may lead to the individualization of problems, where each person is seen as fully responsible for their decisions, without recognizing the larger structural factors at play.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis research reveals how the power relations at play in the #KaburAjaDulu movement, where media institutions attempt to appear neutral, inadvertently reinforce dominant power structures by framing youth migration as a debate between the government and its critics. By portraying the hashtag as either a rational response to economic hardship or an act of disloyalty, the media constructs an in-group (government) versus out-group (youth) dynamic. In doing so, the media often reduces the deeper, more complex frustrations that fuel the hashtag\u0026rsquo;s viral spread. Rather than addressing the root causes of youth discontent, such as economic instability and systemic exclusion, the media positions itself as an impartial referee\u0026mdash;allowing the government and critics to voice their perspectives without critically analyzing or questioning the structural issues at the heart of the debate. Given its closeness to power, the media, whether intentionally or not, struggles to advocate for the people. This approach turns the media into a mediator of discourse rather than an active participant in uncovering the underlying causes of youth frustration. The comment sections, however, offer an alternative space where youth reclaim legitimacy, reframing migration as a necessary escape from these systemic failures rather than as a betrayal of the nation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study offers important findings regarding the discourse of the #KaburAjaDulu movement, but several limitations exist. The research focuses on three primary YouTube channels, which may not fully capture the diversity of mass media in Indonesia. Future research should include a broader range of mass media across different socio-political contexts, particularly examining how government-affiliated and independent platforms frame youth migration. A more interdisciplinary approach is needed, exploring how youth dissatisfaction, migration trends, and demonstrative movements\u0026mdash;both online through hashtags and offline\u0026mdash;intersect with government policies perceived as opposing the interests of the public. Mapping the media landscape based on its political affiliations and examining the discourses within can provide fresh perspectives on how migration narratives are constructed. Additionally, employing Social Network Analysis (SNA) would offer interesting statistical insights into how these discourses spread and influence public opinion, providing a more data-driven understanding of the media\u0026rsquo;s role in shaping youth migration discourse.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eF.Q. and M.G. wrote the main manuscript text and analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding Declaration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research received no funding from any external sources\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlthusser, L. (1971). Ideology and ideological state apparatuses. In T. B. Brewster (Ed.), \u003cem\u003eLenin and Philosophy and Other Essays\u003c/em\u003e. Monthly Review Press.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAyu, R. D., Nugroho, N. P., \u0026amp; Setyawan, H. 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Sowing Hate, Cultivating Loyalists: Mobilizing Repressive Nationalist Diasporas for Transnational Repression by the People\u0026rsquo;s Republic of China Regime. \u003cem\u003eAmerican Behavioral Scientist\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e68\u003c/em\u003e(12), 1655\u0026ndash;1678. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642241267931\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"#KaburAjaDulu, media discourse, migration discourse, youth frustration","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7017121/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7017121/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis research examines the #KaburAjaDulu hashtag, a symbol of youth frustration in Indonesia, expressing dissatisfaction with the country\u0026rsquo;s economic instability and political system. The study analyzes how this discourse is framed across three primary YouTube media channels in Indonesia, CNN Indonesia, Kompas TV, and TV One, as well as their comment sections. The study explores the dynamics of in-group versus out-group identity, processes of legitimization and delegitimization, and the underlying power relations. The study found that the media reflected the government\u0026rsquo;s stance, portraying migration as an irrational response and disloyalty to the nation. In this context, the term \u0026ldquo;escape\u0026rdquo; was reduced to merely seeking work, ignoring the more profound meaning as a protest against harsh conditions in Indonesia, particularly concerning systemic issues such as corruption and legal uncertainty. In contrast, the commentary section provided an alternative view, where youth migration was seen as a protest against corruption and deeper political and economic issues. Here, the media failed to critically address the root causes of youth migration and instead reinforced the government\u0026rsquo;s narrative, ignoring the real motivations behind youth\u0026rsquo;s decision to leave. This study introduces leveraging the platform\u0026rsquo;s real-time engagement to explore a dynamic discourse not captured by traditional media studies.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"KaburAjaDulu as Digital Protest: Media Framing and Youth Counter-Narratives of 'Escaping Indonesia' in YouTube Discourses","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-19 09:47:38","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7017121/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"85cbae37-f192-453c-a7b3-24cb6eb9f497","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 19th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":58078317,"name":"Humanities/Cultural and media studies"},{"id":58078318,"name":"Social science/Cultural and media studies"},{"id":58078319,"name":"Humanities/Language and linguistics"},{"id":58078320,"name":"Social science/Language and linguistics"},{"id":58078321,"name":"Humanities/Literature"},{"id":58078322,"name":"Social science/Politics and international relations"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-14T20:23:43+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-19 09:47:38","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7017121","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7017121","identity":"rs-7017121","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}