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JURNAL KOMUNIKASI INDONESIA

Abstract

In the era of local government autonomy and decentralization, numerous collaborations have emerged between local governments and local media, particularly in reporting government activities. Utilizing Vincent Mosco's political economy of communication framework, this study aims to elucidate the power relations manifested through commodification, specialization, and structuration between local media and government. This qualitative case study gathers data through in-depth interviews. Findings reveal that local government media cooperation funds serve as a mechanism to secure special coverage spaces with positive content about governmental activities, not in the form of advertising or advertorial, but in the form of news. While financially beneficial for both entities, these collaborations compromise journalistic integrity. Local media face censorship, framing, reprimands, and potential contract terminations, effectively granting local governments control over editorial processes and content. Consequently, local media are hindered in their ability to critically oversee governmental actions, posing significant challenges to media freedom—a fundamental pillar of democracy.

Bahasa Abstract

Di era otonomi dan desentralisasi pemerintah daerah, banyak kolaborasi yang muncul antara pemerintah lokal dan media lokal, terutama dalam memberitakan kegiatan pemerintah lokal. Dengan menggunakan kerangka kerja ekonomi politik komunikasi Vincent Mosco, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan relasi kuasa yang terwujud, khususnya melalui praktik komodifikasi, antara media lokal dan pemerintah lokal. Studi kasus kualitatif ini mengumpulkan data melalui wawancara mendalam. Temuan penelitian mengungkapkan bahwa dana kerja sama media dengan pemerintah lokal berfungsi sebagai mekanisme untuk mendapatkan ruang peliputan khusus dengan konten positif tentang kegiatan pemerintah lokal, bukan dalam bentuk iklan atau advertorial, tetapi dalam bentuk berita. Meskipun menguntungkan secara finansial bagi kedua belah pihak, kolaborasi ini membahayakan integritas jurnalisme. Media lokal menghadapi penyensoran, pembingkaian, teguran, dan kemungkinan pemutusan kontrak, yang secara efektif memberikan pemerintah lokal kontrol atas proses editorial dan konten. Akibatnya, media lokal terhambat dalam kemampuannya untuk mengawasi secara kritis tindakan pemerintah lokal, sehingga menimbulkan tantangan yang signifikan terhadap kebebasan media - sebuah pilar fundamental demokrasi.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

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