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THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC OPINION IN POLITICAL
COMMUNICATION EXPECTED END CAPABILITY
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
MCO 456 - POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
WEEK 3
After studying this material, readers are expected to be able to analyze:
1. What is public opinion in political communication?
2. What is the relationship between public opinion and political
communication?
3. How can the power of political elites influence public opinion?
4. The role of public opinion in political communication?
5. What are the factors that inhibit public opinion? Explain!
6. public opinion formation strategy?
A. Definition of Public Opinion:
Public opinion itself can be considered as an opinion, belief or belief of the
community in dealing with an issue. The power of public opinion itself is
extraordinary. How not, if public opinion has been formed, it can be quite influential in
the existing political process.
In this case, we can see it clearly and directly in everyday life. How when a group
builds public opinion and is approved by the majority, it can change the way or flow of
existing politics. Therefore, public opinion can indeed have a significant influence on
political life.
If we ask about the role of public opinion itself, here are some points that we can
see. This role is general in nature so it is quite easy for us to understand. What is clear,
with this role, we can see that public opinion can indeed have a real influence.
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Therefore, there are several points regarding the role of public opinion in political
communication, strengthening the role of political elites, increasingly democracy, and
the role of public opinion in political communication feel, freedom of communication
is guaranteed, create political controversy, pass on political information, forward
political aspirations, influence political policy, demonstrate mass power.
Because the role of public opinion can apparently be seen as very influential in
the election process both regional heads and in the face of the presidential election held
in 2019. Some parties may deliberately form public opinion through certain
communication strategies. The most important thing is how we take a stand when the
public opinion is created. At least we know that the role of public opinion in political
communication does have an effect that can be felt.
Communication is the transfer of information to obtain a response. In the
communication process there is a process of sharing information, ideas or attitudes.
Meanwhile, political communication is a communication activity that is considered to
have consequences (actual and potential) that regulate human actions in political
matters.
Political communication basically has the same definition as the meaning of
communication itself, except that in political communication, the types of messages
conveyed in the communication process are matters relating to politics.
In the beginning, for the indigenous people, independence was hunted as a lump
of gold. The reality today is that independence, which has always been compared to
colonialism with its unfreedom, is far from being a pleasant form of freedom. It is that
in life independence is a statement to live on one's own power.
Therefore, if a nation-state wants to defend its country with very strong and clear
concepts so that the state of a nation remains strong and cannot be easily shaken by
other countries to advance, prosper, and strengthen its society.
Sooner or later the independence that the nationalists had pledged would turn into
a shackle more cruel than colonialism. If The people of an independent country do not
immediately equalize and unify their perceptions of how to live in a just, prosperous,
prosperous and sentient manner In an effort to be able to equalize a perception of how
to build a great nation which is then the substance and content of a study of political
development in a nation that is said to be independent.
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B. Relationship between Public Opinion and Political Communication:
Public opinion is the result of a process of combining thoughts, feelings, and
proposals expressed by the public. Public opinion itself is divided into three groups,
namely mass opinion, group opinion, and popular opinion. Regarding politics, the
relationship between public opinion and communication science is the emergence of a
personal image of a political organization, or political cadre. In society, the
interpretation of public opinion will result in personal opinion.
Political communication is communication that has a political nature or impact, in
which there is a process of exchanging political thoughts between communicators and
communicants. Political communication is very important to be carried out by political
actors, because political communication is a political function needed to convey and
receive political information.
Regarding politics, the role of public opinion in political communication is that
public opinion can affect the level of power of political elites. Public opinion can cause
controversy, for example between the government and the public, or between followers
of one political elite and another. Public opinion can also show the wishes of the people
regarding government policies. The following Communication Expert will explain the
relationship between public opinion and political communication.
1. Political Communication Can Shape Public Opinion:
Following Lasswel's formula regarding mass communication, namely "who says
what in which channel to whom with what effects?" can be summarized regarding the
strategy of mass communication in the formation of public opinion related to political
issues. The political message conveyed, by whom the message is conveyed, to whom
the message is conveyed, what media is used, and what impact it has greatly affects the
formation of public opinion.
Political communication that is successfully implemented effectively will form public
opinion in accordance with the political messages conveyed. The formed public
opinion will then be able to influence people's personal opinions regarding the political
issues that are happening.
2. Public Opinion Affects the Strategy for Using Political Communication:
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As explained in the previous point, public opinion and political communication
are related to each other. Political communication will form public opinion, public
opinion affects the opinions that develop in society, and the opinions that develop in
society will affect the strategy of using political communication by political
communicators.
The most effective communication media in shaping public opinion regarding
political information is the mass media. However, along with the development of
online communication, social media is also considered a very powerful medium for
shaping public opinion.
3. Public Opinion Can Change the Way or Course of Politics:
The power of public opinion in influencing people's opinions and beliefs in
dealing with political issues is enormous. Public opinion related to political issues
formed in society will affect the ongoing political process. Political communication is
carried out with a specific purpose.
When the political communication carried out succeeds in forming public opinion
in accordance with the objectives set, it can be interpreted that the majority approves of
political issues related to that opinion. That way, the way or flow of existing politics
can be changed in accordance with the opinions that develop in the community. Public
opinion has a very significant influence on political life.
4. Public Opinion Can Influence the Power of Political Elites:
Public opinion can be directed in certain ways, and this is often done by political
elites to build an issue with the aim of increasing their political power. For example, by
creating public opinion that can boost certain political views, or the profile of certain
political elites in the eyes of the public. This will affect the views of the masses, and
indirectly will also affect the power of the political elites involved.
5. Public Opinion Can Lead to Political Controversy:
In addition to influencing majority opinion, which can increase the power of
political elites who are 'at war' in the political arena, public opinion can also create
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public controversy. Public opinion can be directed, so that it can be led to contradict the
political views of those in power or previously in power.
6. Public Opinion Can Influence Government Policy:
Public opinion is quite influential in the decision-making process and
implementation of government or political elites. Public opinion may originate from
individual ideas, but is seen as important by the public so that it then gets the attention
of the government.
Likewise, regarding government policies that have been running or will be run.
Public opinion can be used as a strategy to support or oppose the policy. This can be
done, if the public believes that the policy is not in accordance with the values desired
by the community.
7. Public Opinion Can Demonstrate Mass Power:
Public opinion can show the power of the masses, by looking at how much
influence the opinion has on society and how much the quality and quantity of the
masses that support the opinion (read: the role of the media masses). The government
must be responsive, when a public opinion related to a political issue has been created,
the government must immediately provide feedback. Especially if the influence of this
opinion is quite strong in society.
If this is not done, it could cause controversy that leads to changes in the political
flow in the form of resistance to government policies. Because it is possible that certain
parties deliberately carry out certain communication strategies to create public opinion,
with the aim of disrupting the government.
8. Public Opinion Can Build Political Aspirations:
Public opinion can forward the flow of political information more quickly, thus the
public can be more quickly aware of ongoing political issues.
This has a positive impact, because then the public can also immediately express
their opinions or views on related political issues (read: social media effects). These
views will generate political aspirations, which can then be studied and discussed in
more depth, after the government hears them. Thus a good political life can be created.
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9. Public Opinion Can Strengthen Democracy:
Public opinion is sometimes used by certain parties to achieve their political
goals. But public opinion is also a platform for democracy. Through public opinion,
people can express their views, including complaints to the government. Thus,
democracy works because people can communicate politically through public opinion.
10. Public Opinion Can Demonstrate Freedom of Communication:
Public opinion also shows that freedom of communication is maintained, or not
too restricted. This is because through public opinion, the public can freely express
their political aspirations, including expressing their opinions regarding the current
government to the government.
Freedom of communication here may still be limited by the government, but more
towards politeness and truth. This means not discriminating or harming other parties,
and not spreading hate speech or fake news.
C. The Role of Public Opinion in Political Communication:
There is a role of public opinion in political communication that cannot be
separated in relation to achieving political goals. Public opinion itself can be
considered as an opinion, belief or belief of the community in dealing with an issue.
The power of public opinion itself is extraordinary. How not, if public opinion has been
formed, it can be quite influential in the existing political process. Examples that we
can see clearly can be seen directly in everyday life. How when a group builds public
opinion and is approved by the majority, it can change the way or flow of existing
politics. Therefore, public opinion can indeed have a significant influence on political
life.
If we ask about the role of public opinion itself, here are some points that we can
see. This role is general in nature so it is quite easy for us to understand. What is clear,
with this role, we can see that public opinion can indeed have a real influence.
1. Strengthening the Power of Political Elites:
Although public opinion is basically used to build something positive due to
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mutual agreement, there are certain parties who actually utilize this public opinion to
strengthen their political power. Public opinion is created in order to boost certain
political views and influence the masses. There is an impact of communication on
public opinion by certain political elites.
2. Democracy that is getting more and more pronounced:
If the previous role of public opinion was more about personal interests, but
actually public opinion can also be a forum for democracy itself. People can build
opinions and convey their complaints to the government. Here the democratic process
will be increasingly felt through political communication that is also carried out by the
community.
3. Freedom of Communication Guaranteed
As democracy becomes more pronounced, people will feel that their freedom of
communication is guaranteed. This is because they can easily express their opinions to
the government. However, usually the government still provides certain arrangements
so that the communication is still polite.
4. Creating Political Controversy
Although there are several positive roles, the role of public opinion in political
communication can also create a public controversy. This is because there may be
certain parties who deliberately lead public opinion so that it contradicts previous
political views.
5. Passing on Political Information
The flow of political information can be passed on more quickly through public
opinion. The public can become more quickly aware of existing political issues. This is
of course a positive role because of the role of public opinion.
6. Successor to Political Aspirations
People's views and opinions on certain political views can be forwarded and heard
by the government. In addition, these new views will generate aspirations that will be
discussed and studied in more depth. This is a good benefit that can create a proper
political life.
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7. Influencing Political Policy
Similar to its role in forwarding political aspirations, public opinion can also
influence political policy. If a policy is not in line with pre-existing or desired values,
public opinion can be used as a strategy to oppose the policy. The government will
usually get some kind of feedback from the public directly.
8. Demonstrates Mass Power
The power of the masses can be demonstrated through public opinion. Once
public opinion is created, the government must be responsive in providing feedback. If
not, the political controversy described earlier will arise. Of course, this is a forum that
can provide its own arrangements in the world of politics.
The role of public opinion can seem very influential. Some parties may
deliberately form public opinion through certain communication strategies, it is
important how we take a stand when the public opinion is created. At least we know
that the role of public opinion in political communication does have an effect that can
be felt.
D. Factors inhibiting public opinion:
There are at least 8 kinds of factors that can become barriers to communication.
These factors will of course depend on the type of communication that is taking place.
It is also undeniable that other possible factors of communication barriers can also be
outside of what is mentioned here. But at least, we can know some general descriptions
as follows:
1. Messenger Factor:
The factor of the message sender can be one of the obstacles during
communication. Usually, the sender of the message is not able to convey what is being
communicated will be the core of the message that will be conveyed so that this
problem occurs. Message senders who also do not explain what information will be
conveyed appropriately can cause the communication process to be less effective. Not
only that, the communication that occurs will also tend to be less meaningful.
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2. Message Recipient Factor:
The next inhibiting factor can actually arise from the recipient of the message.
The inability of the recipient of the message to translate the content of the message
from the sender causes communication to be hampered. Generally, this happens when
the recipient of the message cannot recognize or focus on the message being conveyed.
For example, when someone is unfocused in a conversation, he or she may make a
misinterpretation. This is also a factor that often becomes an obstacle to organizational
communication.
3. Media:
The use of the right media can make a communication process run more
precisely, where information or message content will be channeled properly. However,
if someone is wrong in using the media, then the communication that occurs can be
hampered. The content of the message becomes less acceptable so that the initial
purpose of communication is not achieved properly. For example, someone conducts
counseling to elderly groups using media in the form of brochures. Of course, this will
make the counseling process not go well because it could be difficult for the elderly to
read the information in the brochure. This is an example of a written communication
barrier.
4. Channel:
The channel is how a message content in communication can be forwarded. If
there are obstacles in the channel, of course the communication that runs will take
place improperly. For example, someone experiences signal interference when
communicating via telephone. This can be said to be one of the disturbances caused by
the channel. A good organizational communication pattern is necessary for the
communication channels to remain good as well.
5. Socio-anthropological barriers:
Barriers with socio-anthropological factors mean that the barriers that occur are a
result of sociological factors and individual cultural backgrounds. This can be
illustrated when someone who has strong beliefs due to cultural influences, is exposed
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to information that contradicts their previous beliefs. This makes it difficult for the
individual to accept new information.
6. Semantic barriers:
Semantic barrier is more of a barrier based on language as a communication tool.
Language differences that are not translated will cause this barrier to occur. This
communication barrier is common, especially when someone with limited language
skills visits a region where the language is very different from their home language.
7. Psychological barriers:
Psychological barriers can arise when the ongoing communication process is
influenced by psychological unpreparedness, either on the part of the sender or receiver
of the message. This barrier will cause a person to tend to be unfocused when receiving
information.
8. Ecological barriers:
Ecological barriers are barriers that are influenced by environmental factors. A
less conducive environment will cause the desired communication process to be
hampered. Factors that affect this communication often occur. Of course, this means
that the environment must really support the communication process so that these
barriers do not occur.
F. Public Opinion Formation Strategy:
Preparing a communication strategy in the formation of public opinion is an
important thing that needs to be done when we are going to create a certain point of
view in society. Mass communication is closely related to the formation of this public
opinion. The use of the right strategy will accelerate the opinion formation process.
Communication strategies will also facilitate the delivery of information and messages
in society. By using the right communication strategy, the purpose of the
communication will be carried out properly as well.
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The following are some of the various communication strategies that can be
applied to shape public opinion. This is usually used especially when the public will
respond to a new government policy or show a general attitude towards an issue. Of
course, this goal will usually provide its own positive value in society, although it is not
uncommon for people to be led to have their own opinions on certain issues.
1. Utilizing Mass Media:
Mass media can be used as one of the communication strategies to create public
opinion. Variety of mass media such as public service advertisements broadcast
through television, radio and even the internet. People who are often exposed to this
information over time will begin to create an opinion. The role of mass media is very
important for the formation of public opinion. (Read also: Functions of mass media)
2. Using Social Media:
Social media can also be used to further accelerate the spread of opinions. As we
know, social media today can be very effective in leading people to have a certain
judgment. Social media may also have a mass media effect. Its use is considered to be
much more effective because people can feel directly involved and "touched" through
social media.
3. Prioritizing Persuasive Communication:
Persuasive communication is a form of communication that tends to have certain
invitations. It is a communication strategy in the formation of public opinion that can
be used mainly to make people justify something. There are several more techniques in
persuasive communication that can be studied further so that the process of forming
this opinion takes place effectively. (Read also: Persuasive communication techniques)
4. Embedding Data:
Data presentation will make an opinion more mature and organized. Valid data is
needed to create quality evidence or exposure. People now tend to be easily provoked
even by info that sounds bombastic. Data exposure will make the opinion more
believed and trusted.
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5. Using Advanced Planning
This careful planning not only involves data but also predicts what possibilities
after public opinion can be formed. The right strategy needs to be designed from before
the creation of public opinion to the expected effect. This will be very helpful so that
the process can run systematically.
6. Using Sympathy
Communication used in forming public opinion should also use sympathy.
Sympathy is a feeling that is able to feel what other people want. By using this
sympathy, other people will feel understood so that opinions can be formed more
quickly. (Read also: Empathetic and polite effective communication strategies)
7. Demonstrate an attitude of acceptance
In addition to using sympathy, an attitude of acceptance is also needed so that the
communication process can run well. Differences of opinion will be accommodated
even if you don't agree with it. But at least by accommodating the differences of
opinion, people will feel valued with their own opinions.
8. Impression
After sympathy and acceptance, the resulting communication will give an
impression. When someone is impressed by this, then he will not hesitate to then get
involved in forming opinions or opinions.
The communication strategy is a general strategy that we can do. The rest, the
development will be adjusted to the purpose of what kind of public opinion we will
form. Of course, with a communication strategy in the formation of public opinion, we
can be more systematic when participating in the process.
Exercise Task
Answer the following tasks clearly and well!!!
1)
Explain the meaning of public opinion in political communication?
2)
What is the relationship between public opinion and political communication?
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3)
Can the power of political elites influence public opinion?
4)
What is the role of public opinion in political communication?
5)
What are the factors that inhibit public opinion? Explain!
6)
Explain the public opinion formation strategy?
International Political Communication Approach in Political
Communication
Expected End Capability
After studying this material, readers are expected to be able to analyze:
1. definition of international politics
2. official government efforts to influence international public opinion
3. the influence of mass media on political conditions in a country
4. the role of mass media in international relations
5. mass media factors are more interested in political events in political
communication relationships
A. Definition:
Therefore, the study of international politics according to Holsti is the study of the
pattern of state action towards the external environment as a reaction to the responses
of other countries. In addition to including elements of power, interests, and actions,
International Politics also includes attention to the International System, deterrence,
and the behavior of decision-makers in conflict situations.
International politics describes relationships and responses not actions but
reactions. International politics is one form of interaction in international relations.
International Politics discusses the state or political issues in the international
community in a narrower sense, focusing on diplomacy and relations between states
and other political entities.
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International politics like domestic politics consists of elements of cooperation
and conflict, demand and support, disruption and regulation. States make a distinction
between friends and foes. International politics views the actions of a state as a
response to the actions of another state. In other words, international politics is the
process of interaction between two or more countries.
International politics is a process of interaction that takes place in a container or
environment, or a process of interaction, interrelation, and interplay between actors in
their environment.
The main factors in the international environment can be classified in three ways,
namely physical environment, such as geographic location, natural resources, and
technology of a nation; social and behavioral spread, which contains the notion of
being the result of human thought, resulting in a political culture and the emergence of
certain elite groups; arise political institutions and economic institutions and
international organizations and other economic and political intermediaries. In In
general, object that become study politics international The study of international
politics is also the study of foreign policy, both of which emphasize the explanation of
interests, actions and elements of power. An analysis of actions against the external
environment and various domestic conditions that support the formulation of actions is
a study of foreign policy, and will become a study of international politics if the action
is seen as one of the patterns of action of a country and the reaction or response by
other countries, as can be seen in the Figure Scheme below.
In interstate interactions there is a relationship of influence and response.
Influence can be directly directed at the target but can also be the spillover of a
particular action. Whatever the reason, the state that is the target of direct or indirect
influence, must determine its attitude through a "response, a manifestation in relations
with other states to influence or force the government of the other state to accept its
political wishes.
Then, in interactions between countries, interactions are based on the national
interests of each country, both interests whose inputs come from within or outside the
country concerned.
To fight for national goals and interests, the state cannot escape from its policies
both aimed outside the country (foreign policy) and within the country (domestic
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politics). National interest is the main goal and is the beginning and end of a nation's
struggle.
B. International Politics in Political Communication:
In the eras before this mass media era, political communication had actually also
taken place in two dimensions; the domestic dimension and the international
dimension. In the international dimension, political communication that generally takes
place is communication between state governments that is carried out in secret and
deceitful. The public was not involved in this political communication so that political
affairs were widely understood as domestic public affairs only.
In the current era of mass media, international political communication is
becoming more important, expanding its communicators, and increasing its
implementation variants. It is said to be more important because it is understood that
international political communication also has a significant influence on the image of a
country in the eyes of the international community and has a meaning for the
fluctuations and dynamics of domestic public support for its government. It is said to
extend the communicator because communication is not only a relationship between
governments, but the public (domestic and international) is also involved or at least
becomes a receiver for a country's communication messages. The public occupies a
"special" position in this international communication because the communicator - in
this case the government - tries to influence public opinion in accordance with its
interests.
Today, we know the term "public diplomacy" which is defined as the
government's official efforts to shape and influence international public opinion
through various programs and can be technically executed either by the government
itself, the government of the destination country, the mass media, NGOs, certain
individuals, or other partners. Then, it is said that there are more variants of activities
because international communication today is not only communication in the form of
traditional diplomacy or political negotiations or negotiations, but also all efforts to
influence international public opinion both verbally and nonverbally; through mass
media (news, films, music, etc.), organizing various events, or through charity /
assistance to the public of the destination country which is expected to attract their
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support and sympathy.
Throughout the 20th century, international political communication sought not
only to shape the image of the country concerned, but also to engineer the creation of
"enemies of the state" through media cooperation with the military, such as the German
or US governments. This activity is commonly referred to as propaganda. NAZI leader
Adolf Hitler used radio to fire up German citizens in World War II, influence the
domestic and international public regarding who the Jews were and why they had to be
slaughtered, shape the image of the German military as a powerful force, and so on.
The US government also used mass media as a means to fabricate the facts of the
Vietnam war, "created" Al Qaeda to represent the presence of a dangerous global
terrorism threat to the US and the international community, mobilized public opinion
about Iraq, Saddam Hussein, and his non-existent weapons of mass destruction.
In the era of the "Cold War" between the US and the Soviet Union, mass media
became one of the most important tools.
First, the mass media was used as a means to influence and attract government and
public support from various countries towards each bloc (the US bloc and the USSR
bloc). In US international news broadcasts via Voice of America (VOA) and US-owned
radio stations abroad (Free Europe, Free Asia, etc.), agenda setting activities and the
formation of public opinion were pursued.
Second, mass media is used as a means of shaping and strengthening each other's
image. In this case, the US succeeded with its Hollywood films that were able to shape
the global public's common sense of who it is and how powerful America is as in the
actions of the character "Rambo" in the Vietnam war, as well as pinning all negative
and evil identities and traits against communist countries (USSR, North Korea, North
Vietnam, etc.) such as the films Comrade X and Ninotchka. Until now, there are still
many Hollywood movies that carry more or less the same message, but with various
variants of "enemies" such as Arabs, turbaned terrorists, Asians, etc.
Furthermore, it is interesting to see what happened in the Gulf War II between the
US and Iraq in 2003. This war was one of one of the most successful examples of the
effects of international political communication via mass media. This war was
indirectly ignited by the September 11, 2001 tragedy that AlQaeda was blamed for.
After the tragedy, mass media around the world always put terrorism as a global
security issue and created negative public opinion towards Arabs.
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In the run-up to Gulf War II, the global mass media aggressively presented the
US government's allegations about the existence of weapons of mass destruction
belonging to the Iraqi government and the links between Saddam Hussein and the
AlQaeda network. In addition, Saddam Hussein's past sins such as the massacre of
Kurdish tribes in Iraq were again spread through the mass media. These news reports
finally succeeded in influencing the majority of the global public and indirectly
"authorized" the military invasion of the US and its allies (with the permission of the
UN Security Council) on Iraqi soil.
Uniquely, journalists covering these events in Iraq must continue to be under the
"protection" of the US army. Journalists are not allowed to cover the news without
being escorted by US soldiers on the pretext of safety in coverage. This is known as
"embedded journalism". We cannot be completely sure that the coverage of these
journalists did not go through the "gatekeeping" of the US military or published
without their permission. Scott Hill, a British journalist, author and columnist, argues
that embedded journalism will only lead to the downfall of journalism as a whole. In
one of his writings (Huffington Post, July 18, 2011), Scott Hill strongly criticized the
embedded journalism phenomenon. Quoting Charles Lynch (Canadian World War II
correspondent), he stated that embedded journalism is a government propaganda army
that acts like cheerleaders for a war. Fortunately, Aljazeera attempted to cover the
news without US troops, even though the Aljazeera office in Iraq received a
"misdirected" missile from the US army.
After the end of the Gulf War II with the poor condition of Iraq and the killing of
Saddam Hussein, it was later discovered that mass destruction weapons were never
owned by Iraq and Saddam Hussein was actually opposite to the actions of Osama bin
Laden. Even then some Political analysts claim that Gulf War II was engineered only
for US interests in Iraq's petroleum (geopolitics).
Thus, it can be concluded that international political communication is a very
important and significant thing in the political world of this globalization era. Mass
media is the main means that supports it. Therefore, the strength and weakness of a
government's influence on the mass media is what really determines how much
influence it has on the public, both domestic and international public. So that in the end
it also determines how long the ruler of a country will remain on his throne and the rise
and fall of public support for him.
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B. The Role of Political Communication in International Relations:
Communication also occurs within the scope of the organization. Humans as
social creatures, it is also their nature to gather with others who have the same
vision/mission or goal. Large organizations such as countries must also have a good
communication system. In a country there is a rule that governs each of its citizens and
these rules differ from one country to another.
Indonesia has also established relationships with other countries since its
independence in 1945. The relationship is in the form of relations between
2 countries or commonly referred to as bilateral, regional relations among ASEAN
member countries, multilateral relations, etc. Relationships between countries certainly
need special attention because it is not easy to run them. The success of the relationship
can be determined by various factors.
Communication that establishes relationships between countries is referred to as
international communication. Along with the era of technological sophistication, today
the boundaries between countries are becoming increasingly vague as they become
closer to society. The study of relations between countries is commonly known as
international relations or international studies. Relationships between countries can be
in the form of international government organizations, non-governmental organizations
and international companies.
International relations is an academic and public policy field and can be positive
or normative. International relations is often considered a branch of political science.
However, academics prefer to think of it as an interdisciplinary field of study.
International relations differs from political science in that it utilizes various fields of
study such as international law, history, philosophy, geography, sociology,
criminology, psychology gender studies, etc.
The following is the role of political communication in international relations:
1. Information Media
Political communication is important to use as a means or tool that can exchange
information with other countries. Relations between countries, Indonesia and Malaysia
or Singapore and others will be well established if the countries have sufficient
information. This information can be in the form of economics, politics, socio-culture,
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law or legislation in each country.
2. Avoiding misperception:
Perception is very influential in communication. For example, what recently
happened was about the capital of Israel. Where the United States said that the capital
of Israel is Jerusalem and that the American ambassador had consulted with the
president of Indonesia. However, after the Indonesian government communicated, it
finally made the American side apologize and correct its words.
3. Deciding on a Policy:
Like point 2, which says that America claims that the capital of Israel is
Jerusalem. This made Palestine and several other countries oppose the American
statement and brought it to the UN session. At the session, communication was
conducted to make a decision. The result of the decision was that the American
statement was invalid and void in the eyes of international law.
4. Establishing Cooperation:
In international relations that involve various fields according to the needs of each
country in establishing communication. Political communication is usually in the form
of cooperation to overcome various things or to realize the goals to be achieved.
5. Bringing the country closer together:
Each country has a different will and understanding. Therefore, in order to avoid
suspicion of each other, political communication is needed so that countries know each
other and become closer and who knows, it will even lead to a form of cooperation.
6. Socialize state policies and programs:
Political communication has a role to socialize state policies and programs to
other countries in order to respect existing policies. For example, exports and imports
and other more complex issues that become the policies of each country.
7. Imaging:
In international relations, the role of political communication in international
relations is to create an image or image of the country. The image of a country is
certainly an important thing that then makes other countries flock to cooperate or want
to help a country in trouble.
8. Promote the advantages of the country:
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The country will be more developed if the country has a wider market so that it
can become more developed and become bigger. For example, the country can conduct
political communication to promote the advantages of the country so as to attract
foreign investors to invest in the country.
9. Protecting Citizens
Well-established political communication between countries can be used by the
state to protect its citizens. For example, communication with countries where there are
Indonesian migrant workers or TKW abroad.
10. Mediation Tools
In international relations, communication can be used as a means of mediation
between conflicting countries. For example, Israel and Palestine, South Korea and
North Korea, etc.
C. Media in International Political Communication Relations
Mass Media-International Politics Media relations in this context are not only a
source of political information, but also often a trigger for political change. In general,
the mass media has certain tendencies in covering international political events. In a
position like this, then the mass media is placed as the fourth estate in the order of
social and political life. The media functions as a controller as well as carrying out
social control for the public interest.
According to Muhtadi's view (1999: 48), the mass media is one of the social
forces that carry out social control freely and responsibly, both towards society and
towards other socio-political forces. The effectiveness of its influence can be seen from
historical facts, which imply a significant change in political behavior as a result of
mass media exposure. The collapse of the New Order in Indonesia and Barack Obama's
victory in the presidential election in the United States are evidence of political change
that cannot be separated from the socio-political role played by the mass media. Graber
(1984: 222) states that there are at least four functions of the mass media for the state
or international power, namely:
First, the mass media provides the latest information about various political events
that are developing in society and is used as one of the considerations for the state in
making its policies.
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Secondly, mass media provides a space for social awareness for the state to read
further into the public opinion that develops in society.
Third, the mass media also facilitates the state to be able to convey messages to
political power and the general public, both inside and outside the government. Fourth,
the mass media provides an opportunity for state administrators to maintain the
continuity of their power in the midst of their role.
According to Harsono Suwardi (2004: xvxvi), many aspects of the media make
themselves important in political life,
First, it has a very broad coverage in disseminating public information, which is able to
cross regional boundaries (geographical), age groups, gender, socio-economic-status
(demographic), differences in understanding and orientation (psychographic); thus a
mediated political issue becomes a common concern in various places and circles;
Second, the extraordinary ability to multiply messages (multiplier of massage); a
political event can be multiplied according to the number of copies of newspapers,
tabloids, and magazines printed and can also be repeated broadcast as needed. As a
result, the multiplication has a huge impact on the audience.
Third, each mass media can discourse a political event according to its own views; its
editorial policy determines the appearance of the content of political events reported,
precisely because of this ability the media is targeted by those who want to use it and
conversely shunned by those who do not like it;
Fourth, of course the agenda setting function it has, the media has a very wide
opportunity (even almost unlimited) to report on political events. In accordance with
their respective policies, every political event can be broadcast or not broadcast, which
is clearly not necessarily political news that becomes the media agenda is also the
public agenda; Fifth, the reporting of political events by a media is usually related to
other media to form a chain of information (media as a link in other chains). This adds
its own strength to the dissemination of political information and its impact on the
public, with this aspect the stronger the role of the media in shaping public opinion.
Another view states that, in a modern state, the relationship between the mass
media and the political system is highly dependent on political culture, including
ideology and political communication. Both the mass media and the political system
are inseparable from the interests and tendencies or alignments to a good value rooted
in culture. This is in line with Smythe's opinion, regarding the dialectical relationship
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between media-nonmedia communication practices and socio-political construction in
society (Wahyuni, 2000: 198). In essence, there are actually two models of power
relations with the state in the media, namely,
First, the domination model practiced in authoritarian countries, where the media
is used overtly as a tool of instruction, warning and direct control.
Second, the pluralism model run by liberal democratic countries, where the mass
media are freer to express themselves, because the state does not interfere too much in
media affairs. These conditions make the role of the media in reporting political
discourse can be seen as a political messenger, as Hennessy (1975: 1) states that the
mass media as a political communication channel that contains news about diplomatic
visits, as well as policies made, making this a message packaging process that attracts
attention at the national and international levels. Mass media has the power itself in
influencing the political system, so the relationship between the two
usually characterized by (Hamad, 2004: 7-8):
First, the shape and political policies of a country determine the pattern of mass
media operations in that country, from ownership, content display, to supervision. So
dominant is the political system (government) influencing the media system, that this
condition encourages people to conclude that the media system prevailing in a country
is a reflection of the country's political system (regime);
Secondly, mass media is often a medium of political communication, especially
for rulers, the journalistic tradition began with the interests of kings to disseminate
edicts of their power, and in subsequent times, every power was always in contact with
the mass media for political purposes. In the modern political world, the media has
even become a necessity, also for various purposes. Every political force uses the mass
media as much as possible to launch its political goals.
In this second type of relationship, the mass media is not always determined by
the political system (regime), but depends on the distribution of power (power sharing)
that occurs in the country, in a country every social group has the same opportunity for
the media, then the mass media can become a channel of political communication to
influence the political system (regime) The relationship between the international
political system (including the foreign policy of a country) and the mass media is
mutual influence, that the mass media is a subsystem of the political system that was
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born from a certain political history, but the mass media has its own power in
influencing the political system, so that the relationship between the two can be
characterized by several things, namely:
One, the shape and political policies of a country determine the pattern of mass
media operations in that country, from ownership, content display, to supervision. So
dominant is the political system in influencing the media system, that this condition
encourages people to make conclusions, that the mass media system prevailing in a
country is a reflection of the country's political system (regime) (Denis McQuails,
1996: 121-153).
Two, mass media is often a medium of political communication, especially by the
authorities.
In the following period, every political force used the mass media as much as
possible to launch its political activities. This process can be seen in various ways, such
as one; the role of the mass media treats political life, including government activities
and dynamics in its coverage. Two, the role of the national mass media in the
international arena is to cover the interaction of countries in the international arena,
such as American, European, Asian politics, in assessing international democracy.
A country's involvement in various international forums, multilateral and bilateral
relations between one country and another, can provide support, criticism, and even be
neutral, such as the coverage of the New York Times, The Jakarta Post, Kompas,
Media Indonesia and other mass media on the diplomatic visits of state officials
visiting Indonesia. According to Jay Rosen, head of the journalism department at New
York University, there are dimensions to the relationship between media and politics:
One, the media can become a public space for political interaction, influencing
the formation of political communication systems among the public, character building
and political agendas take place openly.
Two, the media is not only a mirror of political life, but generalizes political
reality, constructing political reality as something that is complex and invites
enthusiastic public response.
Three, the media's construction of political reality will positively strengthen the
commitment to achieving ideal political goals of political parties or politicians and
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sharp public control over the process. Unfortunately, Meyer's illustration of the
relationship between media and politics is too idealized and suffers from many
obstacles.
Cultural and structural when applied. While Bill Kovach argues that journalism
and democracy grow together, democracy will not exist without good political
journalism, gossip journalism, rumors, journalism mixed with entertainment, or
journalism that becomes political propaganda will poison (Masduki, 2004: 77) On the
other hand, Murdock and Golding (1989: 183-184) see three types of relationships
between communication and citizenship:
One, people must have access to information, advice and analysis that enables
them to know their rights in other spaces and enables them to achieve these rights
effectively.
Two, they must have access to the widest possible range or scope of information,
interpretation and debate on areas involving political choices and they must be able to
use communication facilities in an attempt to critique, mobilize opposition and offer
alternative courses of action.
Three, they must be able to know themselves and their aspirations in the various
representatives offered in the important communication sector and be able to contribute
to the development of these representatives. The next development is the strengthening
of modern era political communication, that in the perspective of democratic political
communication, the mass media in its function as political infrastructure acts as a
medium of political communication. The performance of the media as a medium of
political communication clearly demands the standard quality of the journalism group
behind the mass media.
Especially through political news written by this group of journalists, it is hoped
that a political education process will occur for the community, so that they are ready
to welcome the aspired democracy. In essence, the mass media in the political
communication of a democratic state must ensure the realization of a diversity of
opinions on issues of public interest. In this perspective of democratic political
communication, the opportunities and obstacles for the Indonesian media to realize
itself as part of the political infrastructure (Wahyuni, 2000: 201).
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The description above shows the relationship between mass media and
international political communication, namely: One, that the mass media was born
from the womb of national politics, so it is natural that the representation of the mass
media is related to the existence of the country where the mass media was born, for
example, various media were born that reflect their birthplace such as: New York
Times, Washington Post, Media Indonesia, and more extreme was born the term "Press
Pancasila" in Indonesia, so that in the international arena that the mass media is a
representation of the state that fights for the national interests of the country, so that in
diplomatic relations or news of diplomatic visits it is natural that the mass media
provide support or criticism of the assessment of whether diplomatic visits are
beneficial or detrimental to the national interests of certain countries. Two, the role of
the mass media is usually to report on events that occur in international interactions,
can provide support, provide criticism and even be neutral, such as the coverage of the
New York Times, The Jakarta Post, Kompas, Media Indonesia and other mass media
on President Obama's diplomatic visit to Indonesia.
2. The Role of Mass Media in International Political Communication Practices:
Mass Media as Political Actors The public knows political behavior from various
mass media, it can even be said that the public relies heavily on the mass media in
obtaining information on political events that occur at the national and international
levels. The public's dependence on information on the mass media is the most
appropriate target for the government / state in the international world to disseminate
public policies and political issues that affect social and political change in society.
Political events such as diplomatic visits always attract the attention of the mass media
as material for coverage, this is usually due to several factors, namely:
First, today's politics is in the age of mediation, namely mass media, so it is
almost impossible for political life to be in a state of mediation. In fact, political actors
always try to attract the attention of journalists so that their political activities get
coverage from the media, for example the United States human rights policy during the
Clinton presidency which caused the mass media to also aggressively report on human
rights issues in Indonesia (Cipto, 2003: 131).
Second, political events in the form of behavior and statements of political actors
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usually always have news value, for example President Clinton's statement about
human rights violations in East Timor which was covered by almost all mass media in
America. According to McNair (1995: 2-15) that politics in the age of mediation when
associated with the function of the media and mass media in political communication
can be transmitters of political messages from parties outside themselves, as well as
senders of political messages constructed by the press. Political actors by the mass
media are used to convey their political messages to the audience, while for the mass
media as actors in the political era of mediation are tasked with producing political
messages based on a certain coverage (Hamad, 2005). This means that it can provide
achievements and benefits from both sides, namely from the side of the mass media
and state officials, including diplomatic officials. According to the Head of the
Journalism Department at New York University Jay Rosen, in the tradition of political
journalism, the media is a player, an active subject in the public sphere, not just a
medium or tool controlled by parties outside the media manager (Rosen, 2004).
As a player, it certainly functions as an agent of change at the international level
by using its own means, namely through the publication of political news that becomes
its political agenda. A mass media that is pro-government will certainly report political
news that benefits the ruling government and vice versa. According to Wirajuda
(2003), the dynamics of international relations will be influenced by a number of
general and specific issues and various government and non-government actors, one of
which is the mass media. Nunung Prajarto's (2003:4) view is that in the context of
international relations, news about policies that are favorable to the ruling government
will be influenced by the mass media. A country's foreign affairs should be aimed at
external public relations, which aims to create a positive image of Indonesia abroad.
A more appropriate burden bearer is foreign mass media or Indonesian mass
media that speak foreign languages. The language used in this mass media is important,
at an ontological level, language is a tool to know everything that exists, including
politics. So it is increasingly realized that language is a product of the times, a
commulation of cultural expression or a 'representative' of power. Mass media is a
means of disseminating news and information to a wide audience, both locally,
nationally and internationally. This is in line with the function of mass media as
broadcast institutions concerned with the dissemination of information and business as
well as efforts to influence international public opinion (Shoelhi, 2009).
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By utilizing advances in telecommunications technology that have developed
rapidly, all nations in the world can be united in the globalization agenda. Meanwhile,
mass media in other countries / foreign countries whose domestic reach is not so
relevant, of course less influence on Indonesian government policies in various fields,
but large mass media in certain countries (US, Japan, UK, Malaysia) that have
international reach such as CNN, VOA, BBC, Time, Herald Tribune, inevitably need to
be studied and considered opinions and reviews by the Indonesian government. This is
because the influence of mass media that has an international reach (not only domestic
/ national) has an influence on the formation of public opinion among governments and
communities in various countries in the world. The mass media can support or even
criticize a country's political policies related to diplomatic visits. The mass media is
one of the actors in the dynamics of the international relations system, and Indonesia's
position in the international relations system is greatly influenced by this (Prajarto,
2003: 1).
If we refer to the understanding that the mass media is an actor of political
change, of course this can be examined from the media ideology that is contained in the
media clearly in various media agendas. The color of the political agenda of the mass
media is largely determined by the internal interests of the media, which further
information reported is also inseparable from these interests. Even more clearly there
are mass media that place themselves as the government's opposition whose news
provides counter-criticism to various government policies. Based on the content of the
news, political events that are considered important become the media agenda to be
conveyed to the audience (Rivers-Jenson, 2004: 38, Tankard, 2009: 388).
Because the mass media is placed as one of the important forces in society, in
ensuring the checks and balances of various powers, the role of the mass media must be
able to produce valid reports based on data and facts that occur in the field. The mass
media as an actor in socio-political life, also participates in creating social and political
changes (agent of change) that occur through published news. As an agent of change,
the mass media uses its own method, namely through the publication of political news
that becomes its political agenda. A mass media that is pro-government will certainly
report political news that benefits the ruling government and vice versa.
Referring to Nimmo's view (2004: 236) that the amount of political news
presented by the mass media is a process related to the relationship between the
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authorities and the media.Presentation to the audience in the form of a sequence of
policy choices and is achieved in the content of the news regarding; which one should
be presented first; how much space and time is provided for each; where to place each
news (page in the newspaper).As a political actor, of course the role of the mass media
has its own domain, namely the political news presented is inseparable from media
interests (media political agenda). Furthermore, the political agenda of the media
implies the existence of agenda setting (priority order for international political events
that are considered important), which also implies the existence of media events.Media
event is an event or activity that has a specific purpose for media publicity.
News as media events, such as political turmoil, disasters, and events that grab
public attention. In the view of Hermin Indah Wahyuni (2006: 5), that events as media
events at least have a basis for assessments made regarding the value of the selected
news. Some news values include significance, notoriety, proximity, humanity and
others. If this is associated with the genesis of the media operating in business
principles, then reporting on the events of diplomatic visits on aspects related to facts
has the potential to be commercialized. The mass media will see international relations
events that are important and newsworthy, usually known as media events.
The practice of media events is related to the tendency to study the news
production process, the first approach is often referred to as the selectivity of news. In
essence, the news production process is a process of selecting news from real reality to
be selected by journalists and then formed into news. While the second approach is the
creations of news approach, in this perspective the event is not selected but created by
journalists. This means that news is the end result of the whole process by sorting and
determining certain events or themes (Fishman, 1980: 13-14), and then the creation is
published to the public. Event media is the way mass media organizes its news in such
a way. This means that media events are the "packaging model" of mass media politics,
so that the audience can judge that the news is considered an important and hot issue,
or events regarding issues that are considered important by the editorial staff of a mass
media.
News coverage by the editorial staff illustrates the importance of the news, for
example, it is used as the main news, headlines, and repeated (A.Muis, 2000: v). This
means that media events are interesting events (journalistic point of view) that are in
the spotlight of the media to be used as a media agenda, which in this case the event is
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planned or spontaneous International Politics. Coverage of international events as
interesting events, is a form of participation and the role of the mass media in the
implementation of Indonesia's foreign relations with other countries and helping
international problems. This means that the mass media is an integral part of
international diplomacy (public diplomacy). For example, to ease international
tensions, resolve conflicts by reporting the hopes of one country with another
(Wirawan, 2008: 11).
For the mass media in Indonesia, the position of the media in covering diplomatic
visits must be based on Indonesia's foreign policy. For example, the content of the
media inevitably has to reflect that Indonesia's policy is free and active. The media can
investigate the relationship between public opinion and a country's foreign affairs. This
is related to the attitude of the media which can be seen in every news published. The
point is that the mass media plays a major role in international relations, including in
terms of guarding international issues and where these issues are directed by the media.
The point is that in the perspective of international communication, the mass media is
the most intense communicator in disseminating information, carried out from facts
and international issues and forming public opinion.
Prajarto's (2003:4) view in this regard is that the most appropriate bearers of the
burden of international communication are foreign mass media or Indonesian mass
media in foreign languages. However, it does not rule out the role of national mass
media. The role of mass media in the international arena is strongly influenced by the
public diplomacy model, which is generally understood as an effort to influence the
international public (other countries) in order to achieve a country's national interests.
This kind of effort is made to form a communication network as a forum for promoting
foreign policy. Coordinated by the government and interested parties in it such as
religious leaders, parties, mass media and many more.
However, when interpreting mass media broadly, that mass media as an
institution that shows the existence of mass communication in an international
communication system, has a way and function of its role and benefits in translating
cooperative relations between countries both developing and developed. b. Media
Diplomacy In line with the above view that in public diplomacy, the government is not
the only actor in diplomacy, but there are nine actors in public diplomacy, such as non-
governmental organizations, communities, professionals, entrepreneurs and capital
85
owners, media, researchers, academics, activists, and religious circles. The nine actors
conduct international communication in their own way. For example, the mass media
conducts diplomacy with its various coverage.
The number of actors involved in public diplomacy implies the accommodation
of information from various actors to bridge the diplomacy mechanisms of government
to government, people to government, people to people, non-government to non-
government, and people and non-government to government. Diplomacy is an
international communication between countries involved in diplomatic activities, which
is formulated in the exchange of requests and concessions between negotiating actors.
However, with the functioning of the mass media as an actor of diplomacy, of course
all international issues that develop are determined by how much information coverage
and media coverage. Diplomacy aims to achieve national interests, skills in diplomacy
are the main requirement as a means of achieving agreement, compromise, and
problem solving where government objectives are conflicting (Djelantik, 2008: 4).
Mass media activities in international communication or international politics
have a strategic function because they can unite all public diplomacy actors through the
functions performed by the mass media. The unification of actors means that the mass
media accommodates the views of these actors. For example, diplomatic visits discuss
the economic agenda. Of course, ideally the mass media should report the views of
economic actors, such as academics, capital owners, entrepreneurs, and others. Rianto
(2008: 67) states that The media has changed the general characteristics of international
diplomacy and politics due to the globalization of the media.
Along with the demands, the role of the media in international relations has made
journalists in covering events, collecting and selecting facts, reconstructing, and
representing reality require fast and concise, dense in reporting the content of the news
display to be published. Dov Shinar (2000:83) says that the mass media's ability to
spread diplomatic and political messages has made it one of the most important
propaganda instruments. Related to the news of diplomatic visits, the mass media does
not just cover the news, but the mass media must have an attitude in covering and
giving space and time to the public to consider that the issues of diplomatic visits are
important to be published. According to Hariyadi Wirawan (2008: 11) that the mass
media plays an important role in helping international problems, so that the mass media
is also an integral part of international diplomacy. For example, the role of the media in
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easing international tensions, in the context of Indonesia, the media must play an
important role in advancing the interests of the Indonesian nation and state in the
international arena in accordance with its mission "Million friends, Zero Enemy" (a
million friends without enemies). Media as one of the elements in civil society has a
leading role to reduce tension or misunderstanding that arises due to issues of tension
between countries. As mentioned by political science expert Paul Kennedy, that mass
media actors help shape and change the mindset of society. A simple example is the
amount of sympathy and support from the international community and the massive
rescue efforts of tsunami victims in Aceh in December 2004.The spontaneous and rapid
response of various actors, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
individuals, cannot be separated from the role of the media as diplomatic actors.The
substance is that the mass media has enormous influence power in terms of controlling
the direction of societal change, especially in the political framework. The political
ehavior of the mass media is something that determines the direction of people's
political behavior, either supporting or opposing behavior (Muhtadi, 2008: 51).
According to McCombs (1985: 119) changes in the attitude of a society are
generally influenced by the existence of new information that is considered relevant to
the conditional demands, when and where the new information is received.mass media
thus has an important influence in the process of shaping people's political thinking and
behavior. This makes the mass media have a major role in international relations, in a
broad sense its role as a catalyst and diplomatic broker (Puji Rianto, 2008: 68). As a
diplomatic broker, the media carries out and sometimes initiates international
mediation in an event that often blurs the distinction as a reporter or as a diplomat. As a
result of this large role, the term "media diplomacy" was born (Hachten, 1993: 59)
which historically refers to the case of Walter Cronkite from CBS and Barbara Walters
from ABC who became a channel of communication between Egyptian President
Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. According to Hachten's
notes that Nita Andrianti, The Role of National Mass Media in
The most dramatic impact of international politics was achieved by the CBS
station which managed to conduct separate telephone interviews, while broadcasting
the two interviews filmed and spliced together, giving the impression that a live
interview was being conducted between the two leaders with Cronkite as the
interviewer. This is a new dimension of the role of the media in international politics
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today which can be said to be a mediator, so that at that level the media bridges what
may also be full of distortions and political diplomacy between political officials. The
mass media can sometimes facilitate meetings for political leaders. For example,
Anwar Sadat's agreement to visit Jerusalem occurred after NBC journalist Walter
Cronkite brought the two leaders of Israel and Egypt, Anwar Sadat and Manachem
Begin, successfully interviewed via satellite television. The role of mass media has
been recognized as one of the key success factors of today's diplomacy. Lord
Palmerston's famous statement that opinions are stronger than armies is increasingly
relevant in this context, as is Napoleon Bonaparte's statement that "a pen is more
dangerous than a thousand bayonets". These two points contain a lot of truth, especially
in relation to the role of mass media in the reform era (Djelantik, 2008: 70). This makes
the media play a big role in diplomatic relations and even international relations.
Bambang Cipto gives the example of the American mass media which played an
important role in rapidly developing public opinion about human rights violations in
East Timor.The New York Times ran an editorial entitled "The Tiananmen in East
Timor", which then caused the US political temperature to heat up. Bambang Cipto's
dissertation (2003: 246-247) "American Pressure on Indonesia: A Study of Clinton's
Foreign Policy Toward Indonesia" assessed that the American mass media (The New
York Times) covered news in accordance with American policy on human rights
violations in East Timor. The New York Times provided support for America's critical
attitude towards Indonesia by reporting on the inhumane acts committed by Indonesian
police and soldiers against the Christian population of East Timor.As written by The
New York Times, that "religious differences are one of the causes of tense relations
between Indonesia and the East Timorese population, while the majority of the
Indonesian population is Muslim, the majority of the Timorese population is
Christian".Referring to the results of this study, mass media can support or even
criticize the political policies of a country. Media Understanding Gap: Problems of
Political Communication by the Media Communication practices in international
politics often lead to gaps, for example the case of the film Fitna and the news
controversy due to the publication of cartoons that severely dehumanized the Prophet
Muhammad. It is recorded that many people have become victims during the wave of
riots and violence that occurred due to the publication of this cartoon.These gaps have
actually led to the weakening of international relations or politics. So in international
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politics, the development of media globalization and international journalism needs to
exchange perspectives in its reporting, the meaning of freedom and human rights in the
mass media. This case became an international concern because it caused almost all
Muslim countries and Muslims to be angry. This case is not a form of freedom of
expression for journalists/mass media. Freedom of expression is essentially a political,
social and economic imperative, but this freedom is not a form of freedom of
expression There is no such thing as absolute freedom.
One of the collaborations carried out by Indonesia with the Royal Norwegian
Government with the support of the New Zealand Government, organized the 3rd
Global Inter-Media Dialogue in Bali. Indonesia and Norway both view that this global
inter-media dialog is very important, considering that currently media around the world
are facing various challenges, both in terms of news controversies and gaps in
understanding of freedom. The agenda of the 3rd Global Inter-Media Dialogue
includes: changes in the media landscape that are largely the result of advances in
information and communication technology; coverage of minority groups; and chest-
beating truths such as poverty, the war on terror, and global climate change.
Tasks
Do the following task:
1. Explain what international politics is?
2. What are the government's official efforts to influence international public
opinion?
3. What is the influence of mass media on the political conditions in a country?
4. What is the role of mass media in international relations?
5. Is the mass media factor more interested in political events in the political
communication relationship?
