Analysing ULMWP’s Online Propaganda Strategy Through Hank Prunckun’s ICV Framework

Authors

  • Nober Naung Simamora Sekolah Tinggi Intelijen Negara
  • Stanislaus Riyanta Graduate School of Sustainable Development, University of Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Nidia Masithoh Graduate School of Sustainable Development, University of Indonesia, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70710/sitj.v2i4.75

Keywords:

Digital Communication, Intelligence Strategies, Propraganda, Threat Analysis, ULMWP

Abstract

This study explores how the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) uses digital communication to promote Papua independence narratives and gain attention in international forums. Drawing on Prunckun’s Threat Analysis Theory (2015), this research examines ULMWP’s online propaganda strategies by assessing its intent, capability, and the vulnerabilities it targets. Using an explanatory qualitative method, data were collected from interviews with practitioners and secondary sources published between 2019 and 2023. The findings show that ULMWP consistently works to build global support while undermining Indonesia’s legitimacy through emotionally charged narratives focused on injustice and human rights. These efforts are implemented through coordinated digital activism and proactive engagement with international media, while uses a diplomatic mechanism. According to Ring’s Threat Level Classification (2009), ULMWP’s efforts fall between serious and critical categories given their impact on public perception and foreign policy challenges. The study suggests that stronger intelligence strategies are needed to maintain national cohesion in the digital era.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

ABC Australia. (2020, December 1). West Papuan separatists declare provisional government. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Arquilla, J., & Ronfeldt, D. (1993). Cyberwar is coming! Comparative Strategy, 12(2), 141–165. https://doi.org/10.1080/01495939308402915

Bennett, W. L., & Segerberg, A. (2012). The logic of connective action: Digital media and the personalization of contentious politics. Information, Communication & Society, 15(5), 739–768. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2012.670661

Bernays, E. (1928). Propaganda. Horace Liveright.

Buzan, B. (1991). People, states and fear: An agenda for international security studies in the post–cold war era. Lynne Rienner.

Castells, M. (2009). Communication power. Oxford University Press.

Drone Emprit Academic. (2019). Analisis percakapan digital tentang isu West Papua di media sosial. Drone Emprit Research Report.

Howard, P. N., & Kollanyi, B. (2016). Bots, #StrongerIn, and #Brexit: Computational propaganda during the UK-EU referendum (COMPROP Data Memo 2016.1). Oxford Internet Institute.

Internet Society. (2006). Global internet report: The internet of opportunity. Internet Society Publications

Jowett, G. S., & O’Donnell, V. (2019). Propaganda and persuasion (7th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Lasswell, H. D. (1927). Propaganda technique in the world war. MIT Press.

Marwick, A., & Lewis, R. (2017). Media manipulation and disinformation online. Data & Society Research Institute.

Martianto, R. W. U., & Isnaini, M. (2021). Kontra propaganda deklarasi negara Papua Barat dalam konstruksi pemberitaan Tempo.co. Kajian Jurnalisme, 5(1), 32–47. https://jurnal.unpad.ac.id/kajian-jurnalisme/article/download/31885/15717

McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail’s mass communication theory (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Nimmo, D. (1992). Political persuasion and rhetorical identification. Southern Illinois University Press.

Nimmo, D. (2001). The political persuaders: The techniques of modern election campaigns. Prentice Hall.

Pamment, J. (2019). New public diplomacy in the 21st century: A comparative study of policy and practice. Routledge.

Pedrason, R. (2022). Digital diplomacy and the global narrative of the Papua issue. Jurnal Hubungan Internasional, 11(1), 45–63.

Prunckun, H. (2015). Counterintelligence theory and practice (2nd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

Reuters. (2021, February 5). West Papua activists push for UN visit to probe alleged rights abuses.

Rid, T. (2020). Active measures: The secret history of disinformation and political warfare. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Rid, T., & Buchanan, B. (2015). Attributing cyber attacks. Journal of Strategic Studies, 38(1–2), 4–37.

Ring, R. (2009). Threat level classification: A methodology for assessing security risks. Strategic Intelligence Review, 5(3), 22–37.

Sagala, D. M. C., & Baskoro, R. M. (2023). The utilization of digital diplomacy of non-state actors: Case study of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). Jurnal Studi Diplomasi dan Keamanan, 15(2), 23–45.

Setiawan, D. E., & Subanidja, S. (2025). Indonesia’s diplomatic strategy in countering Vanuatu’s support for the Papuan separatist movement in the South Pacific. Security Intelligence Terrorism Journal, 2(3), 45–62.

Sugirman. (2009). Pengantar intelijen strategis: Fungsi dan peran intelijen dalam keamanan nasional. Lembaga Ketahanan Nasional RI Press.

Sunstein, C. R. (2017). #Republic: Divided democracy in the age of social media. Princeton University Press.

The Guardian. (2020, September 15). Benny Wenda: West Papua’s cry for freedom must be heard.

Warner, M. (2010). The rise of the new propaganda state. Journal of Information Warfare, 9(1), 1–14.

Wibawa, A. (2022). The role of social media in modern separatist movements: A case of Papua. Jurnal Politik Global, 6(2), 77–95.

Widyaningsih, T., & Lestari, A. (2020). Framing Papua issue in international media coverage. Indonesian Journal of International Studies, 3(1), 12–29.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-06

How to Cite

Simamora, N. N., Riyanta, S., & Masithoh, N. (2025). Analysing ULMWP’s Online Propaganda Strategy Through Hank Prunckun’s ICV Framework. Security Intelligence Terrorism Journal (SITJ), 2(4), 394–401. https://doi.org/10.70710/sitj.v2i4.75

Issue

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.