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Statistical authoritarianism: The government's strategy to control the media through data manipulation and digital transparency solutions

Tamalanrea: Journal of Government and Development (JGD) · Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026) · pp. 1–20

DOI
10.69816/jgd.v3i1.50216
ISSN
3047-4116
Published
2026-04-27
Publisher
Department of Government Science, Hasanuddin University
Language
en
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital technology has transformed the relationship between the state, media, and society. Beyond facilitating communication and information exchange, digital infrastructure increasingly functions as a strategic arena for shaping public narratives and political legitimacy. This study examines how data and statistics can be utilized as instruments of information control within the digital media ecosystem and explores their implications for democratic governance. Using a qualitative approach through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), this study analyzes scholarly works on digital authoritarianism, media control, data governance, disinformation, and political communication published between 2019 and 2025. The analysis reveals that contemporary information control extends beyond censorship and digital surveillance to include the strategic selection, framing, and presentation of statistical data. In this context, public data can influence how citizens interpret social realities and evaluate government performance. Based on these findings, this study develops the concept of statistical authoritarianism, which refers to the use of data and statistics as instruments for constructing political legitimacy and shaping public perception without relying on overt repression. The study contributes to the literature by distinguishing statistical authoritarianism from digital authoritarianism and disinformation while highlighting the growing significance of data-driven power in contemporary digital societies.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

20 authors · 43 co-authorship links · 3 across different organisations

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta
  • Lambung Mangkurat University
  • Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kendari
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
AdrianAffiliation unknown3
Muhammad RifqiUniversitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta1
Rudy HertenoLambung Mangkurat University1
Friska AbadiLambung Mangkurat University1
Radityo Adi NugrohoAffiliation unknown1
Setyo Wahyu SaputroAffiliation unknown1
Mukhsar MukhsarAffiliation unknown1
Islah IslahAffiliation unknown1
Zamsir ZamsirAffiliation unknown1
Magfira Izzani MaulaniaAffiliation unknown1
M. Wawan GunawanAffiliation unknown1
Ria SeptianiAffiliation unknown1
Nurtarisya Firly RamadhaniAffiliation unknown1
Juwita JuwitaInstitut Agama Islam Negeri Kendari1
Eka Merdekawati DjafarAffiliation unknown1
Andi SagiraAffiliation unknown1
Andi BudimanAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jgd/oai, first harvested 2 Nov 2026, last seen 2 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Statistical authoritarianism: The government's strategy to control the media through data manipulation and digital transparency solutions</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Muhammad Fikri</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Haura Mudya Maysha</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Abd. Rahman</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Statistical Authoritarianism </dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Digital Authoritarianism</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Data Governance</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Media Control</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Political Legitimacy</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">The rapid expansion of digital technology has transformed the relationship between the state, media, and society. Beyond facilitating communication and information exchange, digital infrastructure increasingly functions as a strategic arena for shaping public narratives and political legitimacy. This study examines how data and statistics can be utilized as instruments of information control within the digital media ecosystem and explores their implications for democratic governance. Using a qualitative approach through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), this study analyzes scholarly works on digital authoritarianism, media control, data governance, disinformation, and political communication published between 2019 and 2025. The analysis reveals that contemporary information control extends beyond censorship and digital surveillance to include the strategic selection, framing, and presentation of statistical data. In this context, public data can influence how citizens interpret social realities and evaluate government performance. Based on these findings, this study develops the concept of statistical authoritarianism, which refers to the use of data and statistics as instruments for constructing political legitimacy and shaping public perception without relying on overt repression. The study contributes to the literature by distinguishing statistical authoritarianism from digital authoritarianism and disinformation while highlighting the growing significance of data-driven power in contemporary digital societies.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Department of Government Science, Hasanuddin University</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-04-27</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jgd/article/view/50216</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.69816/jgd.v3i1.50216</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Tamalanrea: Journal of Government and Development (JGD); Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): APRIL 2026; 1-20</dc:source>
	<dc:source>3047-4116</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.69816/jgd.v3i1</dc:source>
	<dc:language>en</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jgd/article/view/50216/14543</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Fikri, Haura Mudya Maysha, Abd. Rahman</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>