Proceedings of the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Issues (INCOMI 2025)

The Power of Media and Changes in Gen Z’s Political Behavior in the Era of Digital Democracy: A Comparative Study of Indonesia and Turkey

Authors
Chandra Eko Wahyudi Utomo1, Selfi Budi Helpiastuti2, Hasysisy Ahmad2, *, Friska Ayu Prananda2, Nyimas Tasya Farhana3
1Computer Administration, University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia
2Public Administration, University of Jember, Jember, Indonesia
3Communication, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Türkiye
*Corresponding author. Email: hasyisy.worksspace@gmail.com
Corresponding Author
Hasysisy Ahmad
Available Online 9 March 2026.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-549-2_18How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Digital Democracy; Generation Z; Political Behavior; Media Power; Media Propaganda
Abstract

This study analyzes the transformation of Generation Z’s political behavior in Indonesia and Turkey in the context of digital democracy, which is used as a media power mechanism that shapes political participation. This study uses a comparative qualitative approach and applies the propaganda model (Herman and Chomsky) to examine changes in the political behavior of Generation Z in both countries. The results reveal a significant shift from digital participation, interaction through social media, and exposure to political polarization. This study finds that the five media filters of ownership, advertising, news sources, flak, and ideology are still relevant and reinforced by algorithms, which constitute a sixth filter. In Indonesia, Generation Z is vulnerable due to low digital literacy. Meanwhile, in Turkey, repressive state control limits access to alternative information and directs the media to serve the interests of those in power. This study concludes that the digital space, which was initially expected to be a newer form of democracy that prioritizes inclusive and transparent values, has instead been used as an instrument of power by the political elite to influence the political behavior of Generation Z in Indonesia and Turkey.

Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Issues (INCOMI 2025)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
9 March 2026
ISBN
978-2-38476-549-2
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-549-2_18How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

TY  - CONF
AU  - Chandra Eko Wahyudi Utomo
AU  - Selfi Budi Helpiastuti
AU  - Hasysisy Ahmad
AU  - Friska Ayu Prananda
AU  - Nyimas Tasya Farhana
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/03/09
TI  - The Power of Media and Changes in Gen Z’s Political Behavior in the Era of Digital Democracy: A Comparative Study of Indonesia and Turkey
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Issues (INCOMI 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 225
EP  - 235
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-549-2_18
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-549-2_18
ID  - Utomo2026
ER  -