Abusive Comments (Hate Speech) on Indonesian Social Media: A Forensic Linguistics Approach

Online hate speech has significantly increased, particularly on social media, as a result of the internet's democratization of communication. This is an excellent illustration of how technology has both benefits and drawbacks. The investigation seeks to discover abusive comments on Indonesian social media. The goal of this study is to use a forensic linguistics approach to look at abusive comments on Indonesian social media (Instagram) that could lead to legal offenses. This study employs descriptive qualitative research methods. The study used the speech act theory of Austin (1962) and Searle (1969). The utterances are examined and evaluated within the context of Indonesian legal regulations. The data was obtained from @lambeₜurah account (2022). The analysis's findings show that hate speech expresses negative attitudes. This can be seen in acts of insults (expressive speech). Based on the research's findings, it can be concluded that abusive comments are implicit in nature and contain implied meanings. Furthermore, there was a criminal act committed in the comments shared on Indonesian social media platforms, which involved the intentional expression of animosity towards a specific individual or group. This statement has the potential to spark communal anger and frustration because it is presented publicly and can be viewed by a large number of people. The exhaustive analysis contributes to a deeper comprehension of the potential legal implications of hate speech on social media. Additionally, the significance of courteous language is emphasized through adherence to established norms and laws.