Netizens’ criticism of the government’s policy of “Meme Lockdown” during the Covid-19 pandemic; in Indonesia

Indonesia was shocked by the presence of Corona-19 virus in early 2020. Indonesian people respond to policies related handling Covid-19 closing access their territory and making memes about corona. One interesting phenomena that occurred during pandemic number banners or posted alleys human settlements Indonesia, as a form freedom opinion Government Program preventing more massive spread Covid-19. This study uses qualitative descriptive method with data used this is language game on photo uploads Instagram accounts. The selected adjusted research needs representative data. purpose describe games sound semantic substitution Lockdown Policy Meme through Instagram. results showed field phonology tended use games, while semantics, most widely homonym games. Pandemic has not yet become force affecting implemented government. In other words, anxiety uncertainty were hidden Corona meme only meant pun humor can make reader smile little feel optimistic. paper implications for developing criticism government via internet medium communication managing balance between stability change due Indonesia. fulfils an identified need how public sphere communicate current era.