Indonesian freelancers turn political memes into Facebook earnings
A West Java resident named Adira creates and posts political memes for Australian and US groups, earning money through Meta’s creator program.
From her home in West Java, Adira participates in sizable Facebook groups that champion politicians like Pauline Hanson and commentators such as Charlie Kirk, sharing AI-crafted images and posts designed to spark reactions. She claims earnings come from Meta’s creator program, without guidance from agencies or political directives, and selects groups based on suggested payouts. Her activity reflects a broader Indonesian “buzzer” industry that amplifies overseas messages while remaining financially vulnerable.
Researchers from the Australian National University and Queensland University of Technology link the phenomenon to Meta’s incentive structure, which paid nearly US$3bn to creators in 2025. Meta has since suspended several Hanson-related groups for policy breaches. Adira admits she knows little about the politics she promotes, emphasizing that the primary goal is to earn dollars.
Why it matters
It shows how low-cost overseas workers can shape foreign political discourse for profit on major platforms.
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