Is Viral More Powerful Than Justice?

Unpacking social media’s influence in the age of cancel culture

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I can’t be the only one noticing this shift: time and time again, it seems that for any serious issue to gain traction, it has to become viral first.

Social media’s reach has grown to the point where it’s no longer just a platform to share life updates or opinions; it’s now the stage where many people feel justice is served. But is it right that we’re relying on virality, often driven by cancel culture, to hold people accountable?

Take a look at some recent cases in Indonesia. From incidents of workplace harassment to cases of corporate fraud, many times it’s the viral hashtags and trending posts that push authorities to investigate.

For example, the tragic case of an influencer who was involved in a high-profile fraud. It took a whirlwind of posts, shares, and public outrage before any official action was taken. It was almost as if public pressure forced the legal system to respond.

The real question is: without that viral moment, would justice have been served as quickly — or at all?

And it’s not just fraud; the same can be seen in cases of public mistreatment and abuse. Take another recent incident involving a well-known public figure who was…