Analysis of @xproject.id’s TikTok political communication strategies via the SOSTAC model

  • Sukarelawati Universitas Djuanda
  • Nadia Amalia Universitas Djuanda
Abstract views: 237 , PDF downloads: 111
Keywords: Generation Z, Digital Political Communication, SOSTAC Model, Political Literacy

Abstract

The rapid development of social media, particularly TikTok, has significantly transformed the patterns of political communication among young people in Indonesia. TikTok is no longer merely an entertainment platform; it has evolved into a new digital public sphere for the dissemination of political messages and civic education. This study analysed the educational political communication strategy based on the SOSTAC Model as implemented by the TikTok account @Xproject.id in enhancing the political literacy of Generation Z in the City of Bogor. This research employed a qualitative approach with a case study design, focusing on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of digital communication strategies. Data were collected through digital observation of @Xproject.id’s TikTok content, in-depth interviews with the principal communicator and the account management team, as well as interviews with Generation Z audiences in Bogor as message recipients. The study involved ten informants, consisting of one principal communicator, three members of the content management team, and six Generation Z followers who actively engage with the account. Data were analysed thematically with reference to the six elements of the SOSTAC Model: Situation Analysis, Objectives, Strategy, Tactics, Action, and Control. The findings indicate that the SOSTAC-based communication strategy implemented by @Xproject.id is effective in enhancing both engagement and political understanding among Generation Z in Bogor. This effectiveness is supported by the use of reflective content relevant to local issues, informal language aligned with youth communication styles, simple and accessible visuals, and intensive two-way interaction through comments and creator responses. The audience demonstrated increased awareness of local policy issues, greater participation in online political discussions, and a growing interest in seeking further political information. These findings suggest that a community-based TikTok account can function as an effective local digital public sphere for youth political education, provided that it is supported by systematic, contextual, and literacy-oriented communication planning.

 

References

Akbarani, R., & Arliansyah, I. H. (2025). The communication style of 2024 presidential candidates in Indonesia: Influencing Generation Z voters through social media. Ath-Thariq Journal, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.32332/ath-thariq.v9i1/yeqehy91
Akbarani, R., & Arliansyah, I. H. (2025). The communication style of 2024 presidential candidates in Indonesia: Influencing Generation Z voters through social media. Ath-Thariq Journal, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.32332/ath-thariq.v9i1/yeqehy91
Ardianto, E. (2022). Political communication strategies in the digital era.Journal of Communication Science, 14(2), 110-124.j
Barker, C. (2004). Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice. Yogyakarta: Discourse Creation.
Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (2007).Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theory and Methods (5th ed.). Pearson Education.
Chong, D., & Druckman, J. N. (2007). Framing theory. Annual Review of Political Science, 10, 103–126. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.10.072805.103054
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Sage Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Dearing, J. W., & Rogers, E. M. (1996). Agenda-Setting. Sage Publications.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Dewi, N. R. (2025). The influence of political communication on TikTok on voter engagement: Evidence from Indonesia. Walisongo Political Journal, 7(1), 28-45.
Dewi, N. R. (2025). The influence of political communication on TikTok on voter engagement: Evidence from Indonesia. Walisongo Political Journal, 7(1), 28-45. https://journal.walisongo.ac.id/index.php/JPW/article/view/23871
Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51–58.
Eriyanto. (2002).Framing Analysis: Media Construction, Ideology, and Politics. LKiS.
Firdaus, Z. M. (2025). Anies Baswedan's political communication strategy on TikTok to attract Gen Z voters in the 2024 Presidential Election.Timeline: Journal of Communication Studies, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.23969/linimasa.v8i2.13708
Hallahan, K., Holtzhausen, D., van Ruler, B., Verčič, D., & Sriramesh, K. (2007). Defining Strategic Communication. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 1(1), 3–35.
Hidayat, A. (2025). The influence of communicator credibility and content quality of Ferry Irwandi's YouTube account on political literacy among Generation Z in Jabodetabek (Thesis). Gunadarma University.
Hidayat, A. (2025). The influence of communicator credibility and the quality of Ferry Irwandi's YouTube account content on political literacy among Generation Z in Jabodetabek.Thesis, Gunadarma University.
Kim, J., & McCombs, M. (2019). Agenda-setting function of mass media. The International Encyclopedia of Media Effects, 1–16.
Lincoln , Y. S. , & Guba , E. G. (1985). Naturalistic Inquiry. Sage Publications.
Loader, B. D., Vromen, A., & Xenos, M. A. (2014).The Networked Young Citizen: Social Media, Political Participation and Civic Engagement. Routledge.
McCombs, M., & Shaw, D. L. (1972). The agenda-setting function of mass media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), 176–187.
Meraz, S., & Papacharissi, Z. (2013). Networked gatekeeping and differentiation among news sites. Journalism Studies, 14(5), 763–781. https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2012.716032
Merna, T. and F.F. Al-Thani. (2008). Corporate Risk Management. 2nd ed. John Welly and Sons Ltd.England.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Moleong, L. J. (2019). Qualitative Research Methodology(Revised Edition). PT Remaja Rosdakarya.
Morejón-Llamas, N. (2024). Institutional and political communication on TikTok: Systematic review of scientific production. Communication and Society, 37(2), 121-138.
Morejón-Llamas, N. (2024). Institutional and political communication on TikTok: Systematic review of scientific production. Communication and Society, 37(2), 121-138. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2024.1234567
Nisbet, M. C. (2009). Communicating climate change: Why frames matter for public engagement. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 51(2), 12–23.
Purnama, Y. (2023). TikTok as a political education medium for Gen Z.UMY Audience Journal, 5(1), 55-69.
Puteri, F. A. Z. (2025). The role of content creators as national defense agents in countering disinformation: A case study of Ferry Irwandi's content.Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal, 2(3), 29-35.
Puteri, F. A. Z. (2025). The role of content creators as national defense agents in countering disinformation: A case study of Ferry Irwandi's content.Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal, 2(3), 29-35.j
Scheufele, D. A. (1999). Framing as a theory of media effects. Journal of Communication, 49(1), 103–122.
Setyanti, W. Y., Ridho, S., & Irfanudin, F. (2024). TikTok social media and democracy: A study on Generation Z in Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) Yogyakarta. Eduvest - Journal of Universal Studies, 4(12), 11808-11823. https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v4i12.50109
Smith, P. R., & Zook, Z. (2020). Marketing Communications: Integrating Offline and Online with Social Media (7th ed.). Kogan Page.
Sugiyono. (2021).Qualitative, Quantitative, and R&D Research Methods. Alphabet.
Susilo, D. (2017). Ethnomethodology as a New Approach in Communication Science Studies.Journal of Communication Studies, 1(1). 62-72.
Yu, H., & Zhang, L. (2023). Political communication strategies on TikTok: Engaging young voters through short-form video content. International Journal of Communication, 17, 2345-2367.
Published
2026-03-31
How to Cite
Sukarelawati, & Amalia, N. (2026). Analysis of @xproject.id’s TikTok political communication strategies via the SOSTAC model. Jurnal Studi Komunikasi, 10(1), 305 - 318. https://doi.org/10.25139/jsk.v10i1.11106
Section
Articles