Controlling the Narrative

As noted in this article about Indonesian security forces in West Papua, the use of fabricated evidence of terrorism is a strategic plan by federal forces to deny free expression to West Papuan freedom fighters. Similar to the fabrication of evidence against pro-democracy activists in the United States by federal anti-terrorism task forces, the U.S.-funded task forces in Indonesia know that denying essential freedoms is easier when the media narrative is in synch with government propaganda. When building and maintaining a police state, controlling the narrative through chicanery is just part of the job.