THE LOCAL MEDIA AND POVERTY


Qualitative Content Analysis, Trend of News Poverty in Yogyakarta by Local Media Online ‘Kedaulatan Rakyat’ and ‘Tribun Jogja’

Author : Lisa Lindawati

Abstract

The media are important actors in building public discourse. Its strength as an agenda setter is able to direct attend the public, including the policy makers. The media seemed to be a selector for the various elements to determine which issues are crucial and which are not. With this power the media has a strategic role in mainstreaming various crucial subjects that require immediate action. One of them is poverty. Poverty remains a major agenda in this country. Unfortunately, the role of the media in this issue is not yet optimal. It was shown in a study conducted in the local media in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, which incidentally is a poor region in Indonesia.

First, the issue of poverty is expected to become the mainstream has not been able to for reviews sharply from the local media. It is seen from the low level and consistency coverage preaching. Local media tend to focus on events, not on issues that require digging deeper. Second, poverty reports in local media online still tend to rely on formal sources and provide minimal space for the voice of the grassroots. Consequently preaching poverty tend to examine the problem from one side (one-sided). This is contrary to the spirit that carried cover both-side in journalism itself. Method of delivery is an indicator neutral objectivity. Unfortunately, neutrality makes news, in the local online media, poor interpretation. This is related to the third conclusion, that the media have not been sensitive in capturing the issue of poverty. Poverty is still seen as dealing with charities that contrast with the spirit of empowerment that should be the spirit of the current development. In addition, the media also have not been able to define the root causes of poverty firmly. Interestingly, more daring media define an appropriate solution to poverty reduction.

We need to think about the future of the media regarding their role in poverty alleviation. The results of this study are expected a picture of extending the relationship and the beginning of the media’s role in these issues. Hope for the future, various stakeholders should strive to enable the media as an accelerator of development, especially poverty reduction. It takes a special association to discuss the issue. Followed by a variety of training and work for poverty-prone areas. If necessary, the model may be initiated an award for journalists able to preach poverty well. Thus journalists superior to understand the issue and proclaim correctly. Furthermore is to produce news that affects the handling of poverty itself.

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About Lisa Lindawati

My Academic Career was started in 2010 when worked as a research assistant at the Department of Communication, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Since 2014, have been working as a full time lecturer at the same institution. Particularly interested in media and communication studies with area of specialization in online journalism, community relations, developmental issues, and civil society empowerment.