Jurnal Studi Komunikasi

Media portrayals of female terrorists: a narrative review using ambivalent sexism theory

2026-03-22T21:09:07+07:00

The literature suggests that female terrorists are portrayed through personal and emotional narratives rather than ideological motivations, which obscures perpetrator agency. This study examined these representations through the lens of Ambivalent Sexism Theory (AST) and offers one of the first attempts to systematically link representations of female terrorists to the benevolent/hostile components of AST. The approach was a narrative review. The scope covered Turkish- and English-language literature published between 2000 and 2024 that were searched on Google Scholar and Web of Science; peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and theses were considered. Inclusion criteria primarily covered studies on media representations of female terrorists. Additionally, complementary research on women’s motivations was used to support or challenge media-derived themes. Themes were deductively derived from prior research, and matching with AST was conducted at an interpretive level. The results reveal five recurring frames: (1) Personal Revenge, Family Ties, and “For the Sake of Love,” (2) Boredom, Naivety, and Irrationality, (3) Physical Appearance and Hypersexuality, (4) Insufficient Femininity and Sexuality, and (5) Feminism and the Desire to Deviate from Gender Roles. Benevolent sexism is evident across all themes; hostile sexism is particularly salient in frames (3)– (5). Some studies support these representations as stereotype-driven; others offer alternative explanations. Generally, these frames personalise and depoliticise women’s agency, obscuring ideological motivations. The implications are to recommend prioritising perpetrators’ own words and organisational context, avoiding stereotypical labels, and developing AST-aligned analyses. The originality of this study lies in bridging ambivalent sexism theory with media portrayals of women’s political violence, providing an explicit HS/BS mapping of media frames.

The ‘green island’ imaginary: media framing of Bali’s energy policy

2026-03-22T21:09:24+07:00

This study examined how the mass media depict the transition to renewable energy in Bali through the cultural imagination of the ‘green island’. Using a critical case study approach, this study combines media content analysis, interviews with journalists, policymakers, and community leaders, as well as a review of energy policies implemented between 2019 and 2024. The results show that state and corporate actors strategically adopt local cultural values, such as Tri Hita Karana, to legitimise energy policies. On the other hand, forms of community resistance rooted in customary and spiritual claims gain visibility but have limited political effectiveness because they are integrated into the dominant media narrative. The results of the study show that the ‘green island’ imagination functions as a symbolic mechanism that prioritises tourism-oriented development and political legitimacy over substantial community participation in Bali's energy governance.

Gen X-Gen Z: communication and education in the Pancasila values campaign

2026-03-22T21:09:36+07:00

This research analysed the hybrid forms of communication between Generation X and Generation Z in campaigns promoting adherence to Pancasila values within student organisations, as well as their implications for the process of re-actualising national ideology in the digital era. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach and was conducted in Tuban Regency, East Java. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with six faculty advisers (Generation X) and six student organisation leaders (Generation Z), as well as through participant observation and digital documentation of face-to-face forums and organisational social media. Data analysis was carried out inductively and thematically using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña model. The findings indicate that intergenerational communication occurs through a hybrid communication pattern that combines offline reflective forums with online collaborative activities. Generation X serves as the guardian of the legitimacy of Pancasila values and their moral depth, while Generation Z functions as the translator of these values into digital expressions and social action. Despite perceptual tensions regarding the ways in which ideological values are conveyed, the interaction between the two groups resulted in a convergence of meaning that enriched the process of value internalisation. The digital campaign themed Pancasila and Environmental Sustainability showed an increase in student participation of up to 64% and a digital engagement rate of 8.7%, indicating the success of an adaptive and collaborative communication model. Theoretically, this research expands the application of intergenerational communication theory in the context of ideological education. Socially, the hybrid communication model has proven capable of strengthening the national identity of the younger generation by presenting Pancasila as a dynamic, reflective, and relevant life narrative in the digital age.

Digital citizenship's ambiguity in cancel culture: from moral activism to cyberbullying

2026-04-10T18:53:11+07:00

This study analysed critical discourse on digital citizens' comments regarding the Ridwan Kamil-Lisa Mariana case and interprets the concept of digital citizenship. This study used a qualitative approach with Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (text, discourse practice, and socio-cultural practice). Data was collected using netnography techniques from 4,289 comments on the YouTube platform from six news and entertainment channels. The data was processed with NVivo 15 and visualised through matrix coding queries and word clouds. The results of the study show: 1. Critical discourse analysis on the text dimension shows that digital citizens' comments often use religious and moral diction such as ‘adultery’, ‘sin’, ‘mistress’, ‘cheap’, which function as labelling and symbolic punishment. The discourse practice dimension shows that comments easily spread following viral trends, so that emotional opinions are more quickly accepted than clarifications, resulting in moral activism turning into collective surveillance. The socio-cultural dimension is related to religious culture and social control in Indonesia, but in the digital space, these values have changed into mass pressure and digital vigilantism. 2. The shift from activism to bullying occurs due to virality, accompanied by negative labelling and religious undertones. Digital citizens tend to ignore four crucial elements related to digital citizenship, such as ethics, law, literacy, and rights and responsibilities. Therefore, these four elements need to be strengthened so that online participation does not turn into bullying.

Media framing of Philip Mehrtens: a critical extension of Entman’s model

2026-03-22T21:10:07+07:00

The release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mehrtens in September 2024 offers journalism academics an opportunity to reevaluate Robert Entman’s (1993) framing model and their relevance to prolonged conflict reportage. This study examined whether media framing continues to function as an adequate analytical tool for understanding coverage of long-standing conflict zones, which is shaped by political rivalry and deep social division. Using a qualitative framing approach, the authors analysed six online news articles published by national media outlets (Detik.com, Kompas.com, and Republika.co.id) and by local Papuan media (Jubi.id, SuaraPapua.com, and TribunPapua.com). The analysis draws on Entman’s four framing functions: defining problems, diagnosing causes, making moral judgements, and treatment recommendations, to compare how national and local media constructed meaning around the same event. The findings show that while Entman’s framing functions consistently organise news narratives and enable systematic comparison, the model is not analytically adequate when used in isolation. Marked differences in framing orientation reveal the decisive influence of ownership structures, ideological positioning, emotional cues, and historical memory. National media prioritised procedural diplomacy, official chronology, and state authority, whereas local media foregrounded indigenous agency, community leadership, and structural injustice. To address these limitations, this study extends three analytical extensions: institutional constraint, emotional and symbolic framing, and cultural and contextual anchoring. Together, these extensions contribute to strengthening the explanatory capacity of framing analysis in long-standing conflict settings.

Voice of the voiceless: examining Bandungbergerak as local alternative media in Bandung

2026-03-22T21:10:27+07:00

The dominance of mainstream media often sidelines the voices of marginalised groups, prompting the emergence of alternative media as a form of symbolic resistance. Bandungbergerak, a local alternative media outlet, consistently highlights progressive issues and amplifies the interests of vulnerable communities in Bandung. This study examined how Bandungbergerak represents minority groups in Bandung, how it curates and publishes related issues, and how it navigates the challenges of sustaining an alternative discursive space. The research employed a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that Bandungbergerak consistently provides a platform for marginalised voices, adopting humanistic and participatory journalistic practices. Issue selection is based on public urgency and is carried out in collaboration with local communities. Despite its contributions, the media faces structural challenges, including limited resources, social backlash and digital threats. This study emphasised that supporting a diversity of voices in alternative local media is not just about promoting inclusivity, but also about democratising media ecosystems at the local level.

Conflict language and polarisation: analysing TVOne’s YouTube comments on PERSIB-PERSIJA riots

2026-03-22T21:10:38+07:00

This study analysed the conflict expression and polarisation in digital communication through the YouTube comment section on TV One’s coverage of riots between the Persib Bandung and Persija Jakarta supporters. Through a qualitative content analysis approach with NVivo, the study systematically examined 1,200 user comments collected from the video titled ‘Mob Attack on Supporters During Persija vs Persib Match, Two People Arrested’, which was released on 20 February 2025. The analysis combined three techniques: frequency analysis, sentiment analysis, and Social Network Analysis (SNA). Frequency analysis revealed the dominance of conflict-related terms such as supporters, violence, provocation, fanaticism, and anarchy, reflecting how language is used to reinforce group identity and deepen polarisation between Bobotoh and Jakmania. Sentiment analysis showed that 60% of comments carried a negative tone, 25% were neutral, and 15% were positive, indicating strong public emotions of anger, disappointment, and demands for legal action. SNA further identified key accounts functioning as hubs of discussion, amplifying narratives of conflict and shaping collective perceptions through interaction patterns and subgroup debates. These findings confirm that digital platforms such as YouTube do not merely reflect public opinion but actively serve as arenas for discursive conflict, where language, identity, and polarisation are reproduced and intensified. This study underscores the urgency of stronger content moderation on digital platforms, balanced framing by mass media, and preventive monitoring by relevant authorities. It provides theoretical insights for discourse analysis in digital communication and practical recommendations for managing conflict in both online and offline contexts.

Akad as a transactional communication among Generation Z of Banjarese people

2026-04-16T19:11:41+07:00

The sale and purchase agreement (akad) has long been a traditional practice in the daily lives of the Banjar community. This study aims to examine the implementation of akad by Generation Z through a transactional communication approach and to analyse how its sustainability contributes to future generations in Banjar society. Using a descriptive qualitative method, this research investigates the construction of meaning surrounding akad in everyday transactional interactions. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews with Generation Z participants. In addition, source triangulation was conducted by involving parents, teachers, community leaders, and sellers. The findings indicate that Generation Z continues to consistently apply akad in their daily transactions. Moreover, informants from all generations emphasised the importance of preserving this practice, as it aligns with the religious and cultural values of the local community.

Boosting Sidoarjo youth engagement via participatory communication and targeted capacity building

2026-05-25T13:28:15+07:00

Youth participation in community-based social organisations such as Karang Taruna remains uneven, despite the substantial proportion of young people within local communities. Sidoarjo Regency represents a socially transitional area characterised by strong urban–communitarian dynamics and cultural complexity, with individuals ranging from 15–29 yrs old forming a strategic demographic group for social development. This study examined the effectiveness of empathy-based participatory communication in strengthening youth social participation through a Research Capacity Building (RCB) approach, focusing on Karang Taruna in Sidoarjo Regency. A qualitative participatory action research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 30 purposively selected informants, including youth members, community leaders, and facilitators. The research was conducted across three villages—Gisikcemandi, Masangan Kulon, and Bungurasih—representing diverse socio-cultural contexts. A four-week intervention comprised participatory communication training, social leadership development, and direct involvement in community-based activities. Data were analysed thematically. The findings reveal four interconnected themes: (1) participatory communication patterns within Karang Taruna, (2) the internalisation of empathy values through egalitarian and dialogical interactions, (3) the role of empathetic interventions in enhancing youth confidence, engagement, and critical awareness, and (4) contextual challenges and opportunities in sustaining participatory communication practices. The integration of empathy-based communication with the RCB approach strengthened collective learning, intergenerational dialogue, and sustained social participation. This study concludes that empathy-based participatory communication, when embedded within a research capacity building framework, contributes to the development of a sustainable ecosystem of youth social participation and community-driven social change.

Commodifying piety and styling masculinity in "Kahf’s Jalan yang Kupilih" campaign

2026-03-22T21:11:22+07:00

This study investigates the commercialisation of religion and masculinity in the Indonesian men's grooming campaign Kahf: Jalan yang Kupilih. The statement considers two key issues: (1) the Islamic symbols utilised in advertisements and their purpose in branding, and (2) the model of Muslim masculinity constructed through those symbols. The analysis relies on Roland Barthes' semiotics to interpret denotation, connotation, and myth as naturalised ideology, and it utilises Theodor Adorno's critique of the culture industry to understand standardisation and market forces driving representation. The study employs a qualitative semiotic analysis of eight video commercials on Kahf's official YouTube channel, which involves coding visual elements such as setting, gesture, and costume, and auditory elements including voice-over, dialogue, and music, and triangulates this with existing literature on Islamic advertising. Research suggests that ritual symbols such as ablution, prayer stances, Qur'anic/hadith verses, and Middle Eastern architectural settings are reinterpreted as markers of personal style that link devotion to consumer goods and company values. The campaign promotes a uniform masculine ideal characterised by cleanliness, composure, discipline, a global outlook, and a focus on family, while limiting the scope of acceptable religious and gender identities. Scenes of ablution, facial cleansing, and prayer among Qatar's iconic landmarks, and hadith panels in modern public areas, juxtapose spiritual purity with consumer preference and portray faith as a desirable lifestyle. This study enhances advertising semiotics by describing the way Islamic symbolism is utilised in narratives about men's grooming, and it also clarifies the empirical connections between visual representations of piety and branded masculinity.

The Digital communication network transformation: Scopus-based analysis of technological progress and future challenges

2026-03-22T21:11:39+07:00

The profound and ongoing transformation of digital communication networks is driven by advancements from foundational internet infrastructure like ARPANET to modern interactive platforms and sophisticated AI. This transformation has fundamentally reshaped societal structures and human interaction. It compels a critical reconsideration of established norms. While extensive research exists on individual aspects of this shift, a comprehensive and systematic analysis that synthesises its multifaceted impact on social structures, individual experiences, and emergent challenges remains crucial. Therefore, this Scopus-based systematic literature review aims to identify and categorise key technological advancements and their evolution. It thoroughly analyses the societal, political, and ethical challenges and risks arising from this transformation and synthesises its impact on social structures and individual experiences. The qualitative research design employed PRISMA guidelines, refined through abstract and full-text screening, which yielded 46 articles for in-depth analysis. Key findings indicate a dynamic interplay where technological progress, including advanced AI integration, generates digital anomie, algorithmic manipulation, and regulatory gaps. These factors fundamentally alter communication culture and require a re-evaluation of truth criteria and social stratification. In conclusion, the move towards hybrid, AI-driven communication systems presents complex dilemmas. Future research should focus on developing robust regulatory frameworks for AI, enhancing media literacy against algorithmic influence, and exploring interdisciplinary approaches to mitigate societal fragmentation and ethical challenges.

Reframing money politics in local electoral debates: evidence from Southern Sulawesi, Indonesia

2026-03-22T21:11:52+07:00

Local mayoral debates fulfil a strategic function in shaping public perceptions of political agendas and democratic processes at the subnational level. Empirical research on candidates' framing of public issues in formal debate contexts within Indonesian local elections remains scarce. This study redresses this lacuna through a qualitative framing analysis of the 2024 mayoral election debates in Makassar and Parepare—two urban centres in South Sulawesi exhibiting distinct political dynamics. Drawing on debate transcripts from official recordings, the analysis elucidates how candidates select, emphasise, and organise interpretive frames in articulating public policy issues. A systematic coding procedure, grounded in established framing typologies, was employed. The findings delineate three interrelated pathways: economic narratives that moralise welfare; digital narratives equating transparency with integrity; and moral narratives converting piety into political capital. These symbolic substitutions evince the endurance of symbolic patronage in contemporary discursive forms, conceptualised herein as a discursive moral economy of democracy. Theoretically, the study reconceptualises money politics as a representational mechanism for legitimacy construction, rather than merely a behavioural practice.

Crisis, voice, reputation: organisational communication and university response to sexual violence cases

2026-03-24T13:31:59+07:00

This study examined how organisational communication constitutes crisis response, voice, and legitimacy in university sexual violence cases in Indonesia, a socio-political context shaped by strong cultural hierarchies, legal–bureaucratic governance and an ongoing transition from a culture of silence towards digitally mediated transparency. Drawing on a qualitative multiple-case study of Universitas Indonesia (UI), Universitas Riau (UNRI), and Universitas Andalas (UNAND), the study integrates the Communicative Constitution of Organisations (CCO) perspective with Rhetorical Arena Theory (RAT) to move beyond what universities formally stated towards how organisational reality, authority, and moral legitimacy were communicatively produced during crises. The findings indicate distinct communicative patterns across cases. Dialogic engagement was associated with the preservation of legitimacy, reactive communication facilitated short-term reputational repair, whereas bureaucratic shielding—manifested through reliance on procedural language, regulatory formalism, and strategic silence—intensified public scrutiny and moral contestation. Within the Indonesian digital public sphere, viral social media discourse functioned as a secondary constitutional force, capable of overriding formal organisational texts and compelling institutional responses. More importantly, the study demonstrates that control-oriented crisis communication strategies frequently backfired, as attempts to manage or conceal crisis narratives amplified counter-narratives and weakened institutional moral authority. This reinforces the long-standing insight that the cover-up may be more damaging than the crisis itself. The study contributes to organisational and crisis communication scholarship by challenging assumptions of centralised control and reputational management. It shows that, in morally charged crises such as sexual violence, legitimacy in Indonesian universities is grounded less in image maintenance and more in moral authority enacted through communicative openness, accountability, and dialogic engagement.

Adopting AI in Medan PR: a study of government reputation management

2026-03-24T14:25:55+07:00

This study examined how the Medan City Government adopts artificial intelligence in government public relations to strengthen reputation management through the lens of algorithmic governance and digital agility, while advancing an inclusivity-oriented civic branding narrative known as 'Medan Untuk Semua'. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. Informants were selected purposively from key internal actors responsible for policy direction, communication governance, and technical implementation, with limited snowballing applied to identify specialised technical personnel. Data analysis followed the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña framework and was supported by NVivo-based coding and visualisation to map thematic relationships. The findings show that AI-driven Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, incorporating automated ticketing, predictive analytics for complaint classification, and integrated dashboards, together with the 'Medan Satu Data' ecosystem, operate as an institutional reputation architecture by enabling data-driven responsiveness, digital traceability, and cross-unit message consistency. AI also reshapes internal communication by orchestrating coordination among public relations units, social media administrators, and IT teams. However, the study identifies persistent tensions between speed and accuracy, uneven technological literacy across bureaucratic units, and the need for narrative sensitivity that algorithmic systems cannot fully automate. Overall, AI adoption in Medan illustrates a hybrid governance model in which technological infrastructure enhances service delivery and communication legitimacy, while human judgement remains essential for contextual interpretation, empathetic messaging, and reputational risk management. The study underscores the strategic value of integrating AI into local government communication systems to support inclusive and accountable public service delivery.

Women’s participatory communication in mangrove ecotourism for climate mitigation

2026-03-27T14:58:00+07:00

As a result of climate change, the Mulyorejo Village in Pekalongan is a coastal area that is frequently affected by tidal flooding (rob). In response, the community has initiated mangrove-based ecotourism initiatives to protect the environment and strengthen socio-ecological resilience. This study explores the role of women's participatory communication in driving these initiatives, examining how dialogic communication and community deliberation shape everyday ecological practices. A qualitative case study approach was employed to collect data through participatory observation, interviews with women’s group leaders, ecotourism managers and community elders, and field documentation. The findings reveal that women play a central role in environmental education, ecotourism management and local policy advocacy. Key community innovations include the Mangrove School, which turns local knowledge into ecological action; the Kliwonan Market, which supports outreach and sales of mangrove-based products; and programmes such as aquaculture and the Waste Bank, which strengthen food security and recycle waste into mangrove fertiliser. These initiatives demonstrate how participatory communication can drive ecological democracy and inclusive sustainability through women’s leadership and intergenerational collaboration.

Conflict management in Indonesian football: insights from RMIFA Bandung Club

2026-03-29T21:08:09+07:00

Conflicts within football teams often arise due to performance pressure, unbalanced expectations, and communication gaps between players. This study explores how these conflicts are understood and managed in the context of Indonesian national football, utilising the perspectives of professionals at clubs based in Bandung. Based on Conflict Management Theory and Organisational Communication Theory, this study focused on three main questions: how practitioners interpret tensions between local and foreign players, how they assess the fairness and clarity of PSSI player selection practices, and which approaches they believe are most effective for strengthening team cohesion and public trust. Data were collected and obtained through semi-structured interviews with coaches, former national players, and senior football figures, using a qualitative descriptive design. The research findings highlight that consistent communication, transparent evaluation criteria, and performance-based data integration are essential to prevent conflict escalation. Clear information flow and systematic use of metrics support perceptions of fairness, while structured mediation helps restore harmony when disputes arise. This study makes a theoretical contribution by demonstrating how transparency and evidence-based decision-making strengthen organisational legitimacy and help stabilise group dynamics in professional sports teams.

Communication and service quality as drivers of public satisfaction in Bojonegoro

2026-03-30T00:32:17+07:00

This study examines the influence of communication quality and service quality on public satisfaction within a local government education service context. Although efforts to improve transparency and communication have increased, public satisfaction outcomes remain inconsistent, raising questions about whether communication directly drives satisfaction or depends on service performance. Using a quantitative explanatory design, data were collected from 385 public service users and analysed using PLS-SEM. The study tested three hypotheses: the direct effects of communication quality and service quality on public satisfaction, and the moderating role of service quality in the communication–satisfaction relationship. The results indicate that service quality has a strong and significant positive effect on public satisfaction, confirming its central role in shaping citizens’ service evaluations. In contrast, communication quality does not show a significant direct effect on satisfaction. This finding reflects a bureaucratic service environment in which citizens prioritise tangible service outcomes over communicative aspects. Furthermore, service quality significantly moderates the relationship between communication quality and public satisfaction, suggesting that communication becomes meaningful only when supported by reliable service delivery. These findings reveal a service–communication paradox and contribute to public service theory by demonstrating that communication effectiveness is contingent upon service performance.

A social network analysis of fan engagement in ‘Queen of Tears’

2026-03-30T01:43:26+07:00

The development of digital media has transformed how fans interact with and consume popular culture, particularly Korean dramas. Queen of Tears exemplifies an online marketing strategy that leverages the power of YouTube as a social network platform. Fans are not merely passive consumers; they also actively participate in activities that support the drama. The purpose of this study is to analyse the fan communication networks surrounding the Korean drama Queen of Tears on the Netflix K-Content YouTube channel, specifically the video ‘Queen of Tears Cast Reveals Secrets to Each Other | Office Hours | Netflix’. This research employed the Social Network Analysis (SNA) using Gephi 9.0 to process comment data. The results revealed two types of communication network patterns: wheel communication patterns and chain communication patterns. The main actor within the network is @fourleafclover-ww1mm, who demonstrates significant influence in conversations on the Netflix K-Content YouTube channel, as indicated by centrality indicator values. These findings highlight the potential effectiveness of YouTube as a platform for fostering fan engagement and promoting Korean dramas. Theoretically, this study contributes to the development of social network analysis in fandom and digital media research. In practice, it provides insights into how fan interactions can be optimised for content promotion strategies in the entertainment industry.

The rhizome perspective: a case study on community radio in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2026-04-16T19:05:46+07:00

The condition of community radio is always linked to its ability as a medium to provide diversity of information amid a homogeneous media industry dominated by conglomerates. On the other hand, they are very likely to experience powerlessness, mainly due to the narrow dichotomy formalised by regulations. This study focused on four radio stations in Yogyakarta: Saka FM, BBM FM, Swaka FM, and Angkringan FM. This study examined the dynamics of community radio in managing community issues and how it can remain relevant to its communities. This qualitative research used a collective case study method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with four community radio managers, broadcasters and experts, as well as direct observation at each radio station. The rhizome perspective was used to analyse the findings. The study concluded that community radio stations have stagnated in capturing the reality of their communities, especially socio-political issues. Secondly, the relevance of community radio stations to their communities is not based on their ability to address community issues, but rather on their role as entertainment media. These results indicate that it is difficult for radio stations to function as rhizomes as catalysts and to build interconnections.

The unreliable father effect: intrapersonal communication as identity pillar for fatherless daughters

2026-03-30T20:18:24+07:00

This study explored the intrapersonal communication dynamics of fatherless girls in facing life struggles using intrapersonal communication theory. A descriptive qualitative method was used with purposive sampling to select informants. Data analysis followed the five stages by Colaizzi and Moustakas: initial stage, horizontalisation, clustering meanings, essence description, and reporting. Data was collected by conducting observation and in-depth interviews with five informants residing near Jakarta, then transcribed and analysed using NVIVO 14. The research results indicate that fatherlessness, particularly within the unreliable father category, affects self-perception—causing insecurity, low self-esteem, and indecisiveness. Despite similar backgrounds, each informant experienced unique impacts. With sufficient understanding of intrapersonal communication, the informants developed self-defence mechanisms to face pressures and challenges. This study highlights the role of intrapersonal communication as a psychological coping tool that helps fatherless girls adapt and build resilience in their lives.

The influence of media in the digital democracy in Indonesia

2026-03-31T08:50:01+07:00

This study examines how digital media reshape democratic quality in Indonesia by transforming information flows, public opinion formation, civic participation, and government accountability within the digital public sphere. Rather than treating these dimensions separately, this research adopted the concept of democratic quality to capture the broader systemic impact of digital communication on contemporary democracy. This study combined bibliometric and qualitative approaches to provide both a macro-level mapping and an in-depth thematic interpretation. Bibliometric data were collected from the Scopus database covering the period 2020–2025, using PRISMA procedures, resulting in 56 core publications. VOSviewer was used to identify research clusters and intellectual trends, while NVivo 12 Plus supported qualitative thematic analysis. The findings indicate a dominant shift in global research from early concerns with digital participation and public engagement toward growing attention to algorithmic power, disinformation, polarisation, and platform governance. In the Indonesian context, digital media simultaneously expands democratic inclusion through increased participation and transparency, while also weakening deliberative quality due to misinformation, echo chambers, and low digital literacy. This study highlights that platform algorithms and information governance increasingly shape the trajectory of digital democracy. This research contributes to communication studies by offering an integrated framework for understanding how digital media restructure democratic quality in the evolving digital public sphere.

Blaming nature, erasing structural accountability: how Indonesian media framed the 2025-Sumatran floods

2026-03-31T10:51:23+07:00

This study examined how major Indonesian online media framed the causes, responsibility, and governance of the 2025 Sumatra flood disaster. Using qualitative content analysis based on Entman’s (1993) problem definition, causal diagnosis, moral evaluation, and treatment recommendation, the study analysed 56 news articles published between 1 and 10 December 2025 from major Indonesian online outlets, including Kompas.com, Tempo.co, Detik.com, CNN Indonesia, CNBC Indonesia, Tribunnews.com, and Liputan6.Com. This study examined the dominant narratives of causation, actor representation, responsibility attribution, and proposed solutions in flood reporting. The findings show that news coverage predominantly framed the floods as extreme weather. At the same time, structural factors such as deforestation, extractive industries, and spatial planning failures appeared less consistently and were often presented as secondary explanations. Government actors were largely represented as responders within a rescue-spectacle narrative, reflecting the political economy of disaster journalism, in which reliance on official sources and state-centred narratives displaces scrutiny of governance failures and extractive interests that produce flood vulnerability. These framing patterns contribute to the normalisation of floods as natural disasters and limit public attention to the need for structural accountability. This study contributes to disaster journalism and environmental communication research by highlighting how media framing shapes the understanding of responsibility for climate-related disasters.

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

2026-03-31T20:21:39+07:00

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.

Implementing dialogic communication for complaint management in Malang Private Hospital, Indonesia

2026-03-31T20:47:28+07:00

Persistent increases in patient complaints in private hospitals indicate a structural gap in how complaint management systems integrate dialogic communication principles in practice. This mixed-method study examined the implementation of a dialogic communication framework in managing patient complaints at a private hospital in Malang, Indonesia. This study particularly focused on how the current complaint system reflects the principles of mutuality, transparency, and organisational commitment. This study integrated in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and a quantitative analysis of 605 patient complaints. The findings indicate a fractured dialogue that demonstrates a substantial gap between the procedurally and performatively responsive complaint system and its actual capacity for genuine dialogic communication. This management misconduct is rooted in systemic fragmentation, sectoral ego, and an organisational unwillingness to embrace the risk of transparency. Ultimately, this study proposes the Integrated Public Service Communication Flow model, designed to shift the organisational culture from a reactive and monologic approach to a proactive, relational, and genuinely dialogic. This proposed model accentuates a concrete framework for rebuilding patient trust by embedding mutuality and commitment into the hospital operations.

Social capital and network governance in local anti-poverty policy

2026-03-31T21:14:06+07:00

This study examined the effectiveness of public sector organisational communication in poverty alleviation efforts in West Seram Regency (SBB) through the lenses of Social Capital Theory, Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC), and network governance. Poverty is conceptualised as a multidimensional issue requiring cross-sectoral coordination and multi-actor collaboration. This research employed a qualitative descriptive approach centred on document analysis of the 2025–2029 Regional Poverty Alleviation Plan (RPKD) and relevant scholarly sources. The findings indicate that communication effectiveness is shaped by levels of trust and inter-actor networks (social capital), the consistency and integration of cross-agency messaging (IMC), and the capacity for horizontal and vertical coordination within a network governance framework. Sectoral and administrative communication patterns tend to produce fragmented programmes and policy overlap. Therefore, strengthening collaborative and participatory communication mechanisms is essential to achieving more integrated, effective, and sustainable poverty governance in West Seram Regency.

Arisan as a platform for social-identity and consumerism in the postmodern era

2026-03-31T22:22:57+07:00

This study examined the transformation of arisan, a traditional rotating savings and social gathering practice, into a platform for social identity construction and symbolic consumption among women in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. As a secondary city shaped by rapid urbanisation and a mining-driven economic boom, Samarinda presents a distinctive socio-demographic context where global consumer culture intersects with local communal traditions. Drawing on Thorstein Veblen’s theory of conspicuous consumption and Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of symbolic capital and habitus, this study conceptualises arisan as a communicative arena in which social status, identity, and distinction are actively negotiated. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, participant observation during Arisan activities, and analysis of social media content. The study involved 16 women aged 30–50 from two elite arisan groups, Ganbatte and Pretty Woman. The findings revealed a shift in arisan from a financial mutual-aid mechanism toward a performative social space characterised by exclusive membership, symbolic consumption, and digitally mediated visibility. While Ganbatte emphasised professional networking and subtle prestige, Pretty Woman foregrounds conspicuous consumption and leisure-based status display. Arisan facilitates ‘modern independence’ primarily through expanded social networks, symbolic mobility, and the freedom to publicly perform identity beyond domestic roles.