Risky Business: Three Political Cartooning Lessons from Indonesia during Suharto's Authoritarian Rule

Abstract

The recent international uproar caused by the publication of the “Muhammad Cartoons” has had the useful side effect of stimulating thought about the roles newspaper editors and editorial cartoonists ought to play in our increasingly globalized world. This symposium article is based on my 10-year study of cartoons related to watershed changes in the Indonesian political system.This article draws on previous articles by the author. See the References section.

On Satirical Comments: Political Humor of Indonesians Depicted in Instagram Posts

“…Furthermore, political humor and satire have long been recognized as powerful tools for social commentary, providing individuals with a means to express dissent, challenge authority, and engage in critical dialogue (Attardo, 1994;Balakrishnan et al, 2019;Boukes et al, 2015;Feldman, 1995). In recent years, the rise of social media platforms has transformed the landscape of political communication, offering new avenues for disseminating satirical content (Daniels, 2007;Lent, 2014;Ostrom, 2007;Sen & Hill, 2007). Scholars have highlighted the significance of political humor as a form of resistance and social critique.…”

The Sword of the Word: The Use of Hyperbole in The Political Cartoons of Indonesians

“…Numerous studies have recognized the crucial role of political cartoons in Indonesian media, highlighting their unique ability to convey complex political issues through humor and brevity. Lent's (2014), Susanto's (2018), Susanto et al's (2018), Spielmann's (2017, Ostrom's (2007), Vickers's (2020) works emphasize the historical importance of cartoons as powerful tools for political commentary, which continue to captivate Indonesian audiences.…”