Why SBY Active in Social Media

President meeting with miniters

I follow the TV shows and news about the burning of the prison in Medan, North Sumatra several days ago. Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) was angry with the performance of the ministers responding  the case. SBY said  there was no official statement from the ministers to the public  for 10 hours.

Some  ministers and officials are out of date in communication skill. On the other hand, the president active in social media like twitter, facebook and google +, upload a video on youtube. SBY communicate with the public much faster than the ministers do. The minister seems to rely on official reports from subordinates that need many hours before the papers reach their  table.

President monitored the case via  social media.  There was even a prisoner sent a message directly to the President. With the help of social media,  public have access to communicate voices to officials  in very personal manner. Some people, including SBY "improving" status twitter become a communication tool more useful than just “say hello”.

In my opinion, social media provides benefits for the President in communicating with the public. Firstly, the mass media, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio,  are slower than before  in terms of broadcast information. This happens because the rules of journalism such as accuracy, cover both side should be maintained. Confirmation process takes time, and this makes the mass media behind with social media in terms of speed.

Secondly, the mass media tend to enlarge and create a conglomeration potentially cause problems in terms of independence. Some of the media are owned by politicians. MNC Group is owned by Hary Tanoe (candidate for vice president of the Hanura). He has about 49 electronic and print media in this business group.

Aburizal Bakrie (Golkar presidential candidate) has a strong media such as TVOne with VIVA news as the holding. Party Chairman Surya Paloh Nasdem have Metro TV, Media Indonesia and other media. Dahlan Iskan, alternative candidates for presiden is owner  Jawa Pos group that reaches many parts of Indonesia.

Presidents SBY often face a mass media in reporting activities disproportionately. For example, in a visit to a  province or city, the President welcomed thousands of people. But the media were more interested in writing news of  the arrival of dozens of people who demonstrate against SBY. The news angle was not proportional.

The  president recognized the need channels that can carry information as a counterweight alternative news media information.

Thirdly, SBY breakthrough networking through social media is very strategic. To build the mass media with tens of thousands of subscriber need billions of rupiah. With a click twitter, followers SBY has reached 2.5 million people in a short time.

The position of social media may not be able to fully replace the mass media. These two types of media can complement each other. But for SBY, today is more often criticized than praised by the mass media, a breakthrough through social media can be a counterweight.

For the community, ease of communication with the President very profitable. However public access to the mass media is limited. The tendency of journalists more often citing officials, businessmen and less reported news "lower classes" making a lot of noises that are not accommodated reporters. With social media, the general public has direct access to the President.

Communication between President-community through social media is still tested by time. In the end, officials-people communication is not just  "say hello". The substance of the people's voice must be heard and then get a solution. Rihad Wiranto--personal opinion.