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| 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officials are out of date in communication skill.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.
