Abstract :
This study analyzes Indonesian media discourse on plastic waste imports and the framing of waste colonialism surrounding Indonesia’s 2025 import ban. Using 280 articles from January 2024 to July 2025 across national and regional outlets, the research applies framing, narrative, and metaphor analysis to examine how the media shaped public understanding and policy debates. Pre-ban coverage emphasized crisis and victimhood, portraying Indonesia as the Global North’s “dumping ground” and highlighting contamination, health risks, and regulatory failures. Post-ban reporting shifted toward narratives of sovereignty and resistance, while simultaneously raising skepticism about enforcement and the persistence of illegal imports. Dominant metaphors such as “colonial burden” and “burning mountains” reinforced postcolonial critiques and environmental justice claims. The findings reveal strong amplification of government and NGO voices, contrasted with the marginalization of local communities most affected by waste imports. The study underscores the media’s dual role in catalyzing regulatory change and sustaining scrutiny, contributing to scholarship on environmental communication, global waste governance, and postcolonial justice.
