Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2019, 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 a (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Drew McDaniel Prof (Advisor) Subjects: Communication; Mass Media