In Bangladesh, Kenya, Indonesia, and Nepal, protests by digital citizens have surged dramatically in recent years. This study analyzes the emotions expressed in 1,500 YouTube comments posted on five major news channels, applying sentiment analysis.

The results show that positive sentiment dominates in Bangladesh and Nepal, accounting for 56.76% and 52.27% of the discourse, respectively. In contrast, Kenya and Indonesia exhibit a different pattern, with 53% and 64.18%, respectively, of the discourse being negative in sentiment. Across all four countries, protesters’ emotions emerge from a blend of frustration and hope. Expressions such as hope, justice, freedom, and pride signal moral ideals and collective solidarity, whereas corruption, violence, greed, and oppression elicit moral outrage toward those in power. These emotional dynamics suggest that digital protest spaces serve as both arenas for grieving shared injustices and mobilizing collective action. By extending sentiment analysis across multiple national contexts, this study contributes to the existing literature on digital activism and protest behavior beyond single-country cases. Its practical relevance lies in offering insights for policymakers and civil society organizations seeking to better understand digital-era public sentiment.

This work advances current debates by situating digital protest emotions within a comparative global framework, emphasizing the complex role young citizens play as both observers and drivers of political change.

Presenters: Mohamed Baillor Jalloh (Department of Economics, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta), Romi Bhakti Hartarto (Department of Economics, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta), Nindy Aksari Bulan (Department of Economics, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta)

Discussant: Shofwan Al Banna Choiruzzad (Department of International Relations, Universitas Indonesia)

Tuesday, 3 February 2026 at 10.00-11.30 WIB

Participate via Zoom (registration required): bit.ly/fkp0203