Fourth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

Independent media is essential to democracy for many reasons. In order to make elections work, for example, it is the duty of the media to provide citizens with accurate information, as democracy requires an informed citizenry. Independent media in democracy is an arena where the exchange of a diverse range of information and views facilitates the formation of public opinion. It took the fall of the almost 32 year-long authoritarian regime before Indonesians finally experienced democracy in 1998. The spirit of democracy was reflected in the implementation of new regulations, which are more liberal and free from government control, resulted in a growing number of media outlets. But previous research has shown that this diversity of media outlets and content as an essential aspect of Indonesia’s new democracy has been threatened by various developments. The first threat concerns the issue of media ownership concentration and conglomeration. Despite the great number of media outlets in Indonesia, only 12 conglomerates that control nearly all of Indonesia’s print, broadcast, and online media. The second threat to media diversity is a political one. Half of the media owners also serve as the leaders of political parties. This paper measures and analyses whether or how the diversity of television content in Indonesia is threatened by media ownership concentration. Does the issue of ownership make a substantial difference in terms of television content? Is there evidence the corporate and conglomerate connections to politics have indeed an impact on what is being reported on television?