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The Illusion of a Public Sphere: The Indonesian Government Communication on Social Media

Idris, Ika Karlina
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5401-8036
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1543230704273676

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Mass Communication (Communication).
The purpose of this study was to analyze whether the Indonesian government uses social media to establish a dialogue with its public and to participate in a new public sphere facilitated by the Internet. A mixed-method approach of social network analysis(SNA), a survey, and focus group discussions were used to examine the Indonesian government communication model performed on social media, based on the symmetrical communication theory of public relations (Grunig & Grunig, 1992). A network analysis of the Indonesian government’s social media conversation in daily communication, campaign communication, organizational crisis, and emergency communication (Mergel 2017) shows that two-way symmetrical communication has been implemented in a limited way. Two-way communication is performed only in daily communication when answering questions related to government services. A survey of the Indonesian government’s social media officials (n= 252) at the ministry level revealed that the predominant model of government communication is one way communication in the form of disseminating positive information about the government and obtaining public attention. Additional models included two-way symmetrical communication, two-way asymmetrical communication, and the practice of dominating conversation. A regression analysis revealed that government PR practices on social media was influenced by the government’s social media officials’ knowledge of symmetrical communication, their positions in the organization, and the number of workshops they attended in the previous year. Focus group discussions of three government stakeholders—journalists, NGO workers, and communication professionals—confirmed the SNA and survey finding. It also revealed that dialogue between the government and its citizens occurred only when government was harshly criticized on social media. Additionally, the Indonesian government applied strategic activities to counter criticism by deleting negative comments as well as by using social media teams to spread and amplify government information or messages. This study shows that advanced communication technology was mainly used to serve the government’s interests in dominating conversation, forming public opinion, and countering criticisms on social media. Hence, the new public sphere, facilitated by the Internet, can be considered as just an illusion created by the Indonesian government via their policies and regulations to be actively using social media as public communication channels.
Drew McDaniel, Prof (Advisor)
268 p.
Communication; Mass Media
social network analysis; government public relations; Indonesia; social media; Indonesian government; government communication

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Idris, I. K. (2019). The Illusion of a Public Sphere: The Indonesian Government Communication on Social Media [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1543230704273676

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Idris, Ika. The Illusion of a Public Sphere: The Indonesian Government Communication on Social Media . 2019. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1543230704273676.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Idris, Ika. "The Illusion of a Public Sphere: The Indonesian Government Communication on Social Media ." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1543230704273676

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1543230704273676
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.