R-TIK Digital Literacy towards Indonesian MSMEs (UMKM) Digital Energy of Asia

In accordance with the commitment of the World Summit on the Information Society, it is stated that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are providers of employment for the community. In Indonesia, SMMEs are known as UMKM (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises Indonesia). The existence of ICT is considered capable of increasing economic growth as well as providing new employment field during the Covid-19 Pandemic. One way to encourage the rise of UMKM) is through the Indonesian R-TIK (Indonesia ICT Volunteers). The purpose of this research is to determine the involvement of R-TIK in the UMKM Go Online program. Whereas the theories and concepts used are the Information Society, Digital Literacy and Empowerment of UMKM. The research method used is a case study, R-TIK with UMKM in Polewali Mandar, West Sulawesi. The results indicate that digital literacy activities carried out by R-TIK together with the Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and UMKM encouraged the growth of UMKM in Polewali Mandar. The presence of QRen in the UMKM online program has push the pace of the Indonesian economy in the context of realizing Indonesia as a Digital Energy of Asia.

Corporate Social Responsibility Communication and Company Reputation in Pandemic Era

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a way to build a company’s positive reputation. In the new media era and during the COVID-19 pandemic, online media has become an effective communication medium for companies to communicate CSR and build a positive reputation among stakeholders. This study examines BRI Peduli CSR communication during the COVID-19 pandemic through online media on the bri.co.id website that can increase BRI’s positive reputation. The research method used in this research is descriptive qualitative research with case study method, data collection is done by in-depth interview and literature study. The data analysis technique was carried out by triangulating sources to get accurate results regarding CSR communications during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that effective CSR communication between companies and communities that are beneficiaries of CSR programs will greatly determine the program’s success. The CSR program is an official communication channel so that all stakeholders get accountable and reliable information. BRI has also applied the principle of digitization to new media but has not yet reached the level of interactivity and audience-generated media. Online media can build a positive image and be reported CSR Program massively during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using New Media and Social Media in Disaster Communication

New media and social media have changed the frame of communication that appears quickly, is interactive, and has no geographical boundaries. The media plays an essential role in disseminating accurate and responsible information in a disaster situation. The strategy of using communication media will reduce the impacts arising from disasters in the mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery phases. Through a literature review, the author presents disaster communication, strategies, and using media in disasters. The research use case studies are the natural disaster of Mount Merapi and the Covid-19 pandemic to represent non-natural disasters. The results of the analysis show that sensitivity to the situation is an adequate response in a disaster. Furthermore, new media and social media tend to be sufficient as the primary source of information for the public, coordination, and fundraising. The effectiveness of media use in the Merapi disaster is the beginning of new media and social media in disaster communication in Indonesia. This media is also used in disaster management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of media in both case studies is considered adequate to reduce the negative impacts arising from the disaster. It is hoped this idea will contribute to disaster communication studies.

Adolescents in Virtual Forum: Playing, Socializing, or Engaging in Public Issues?

This research examines how adolescents perceive their memberships and involvement in virtual forums and whether the young generations see this involvement facilitate their engagement with public issues surrounding them. The increase of political discussions and political debates over the Internet and social media in Indonesia has become the trigger of this research to see whether adolescents as the group of new voters, even first-time voters, use virtual forums to be critically engaged in a discussion of public issues. Alternatively, this research would see whether their engagement in virtual communities is mainly related to entertainment, social connections, and other matters not directly related to politics and discussion of public issues. By interviewing a group of adolescents from at least eight provinces in Indonesia, this research examines the phenomenological experiences regarding their action, perception, and evaluation of their involvement through various virtual communities. This research highlights the importance of understanding adolescents’ experiences in virtual communities to understand better their tendency and attitude in relating to issues in their online and offline environments.

Legal Dilemma of Fake News Management after ‘Marketplace of Ideas’

The ‘marketplace of ideas’ metaphor has gone over a whole century since its birth, and its significance is far-reaching. The protection of freedom of speech in its theory is now manifested as high tolerance of fake news. Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Russia, and Malaysia are among the countries attempting to address the worldwide issue of false news. Many nations have included false news regulation into necessary measures such as government management and even legal systems, as can be shown. In the United States, it is difficult to control fake news by legal means, which can only be exerted through extremely limited litigation liability and industry self-discipline. In addition, the transformation of media technology has destroyed the theoretical basis of the ‘marketplace of ideas’. Due to the struggle between the two parties in the United States, fake news has become a ‘floating signifier’ and a discourse tool to attack political opponents. The century-old theory of ‘marketplace of ideas’ is in urgent need of reflection and reconstruction.

Thematic Analysis on COVID-19 Photojournalism in Indonesia

The spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia is massive in terms of sufferers. This article aims to seek how national photo news agency ANTARA visualized the pandemic as part of contribution to COVID-19 research in the communication field. By utilizing thematic analysis and qualitative approach, the researchers want to identify, analyze, organize, describe, and report particular themes within an extensive data set of 466 photojournalism. The photos collected from www.antarafoto.com, start from 1 May until 12 May 2020. The finding shows that ANTARA visualized the current Indonesian condition of facing COVID-19 in 8 main themes, determined the countless efforts of ANTARA photojournalists working with a new protocol, and simultaneously also face the new resistance from society. The most popular theme produced by ANTARA photojournalists is economics (183 photos), Social (164), and health (80). Discussion on the most popular is divided into specific topics, namely location, subject’s gender, photographic approach, image format, and news photo category. By utilizing visual ethics on the field, photojournalists communicate the symbols and reality of the real world into a frame to change people’s views about COVID-19 amid the increasingly uncontrolled infodemic flow.

Public Relations Functions for Sugar-Salt-Fat Consumption Control Programs Planning

Non-Communicable Diseases such as stroke, diabetes mellitus, heart attack, and hypertension have increasingly lurked in Indonesia. The excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and fat (SSF) is the trigger for that case, and the government tries to take precautions for people from 13 to 18 years of age. Emphasizing on preventive health communication efforts, this study intended to assist the health promotion program of Puskesmas Purwokerto Utara 2 to apply Public Relations functions by providing IEC (Communication, Information, and Education) on controlling SSF in adolescents. This research used in-depth interviews and observations as data collection techniques, with qualitative descriptive methods to analyze the data. The result showed that this Puskesmas (district clinic) is identified as not implementing the SSF Control Program since its health promotion function is still more focused on routine programs. Meanwhile, 1.021 students in this work area need to prevent threatening diseases. Making collaboration with competent partners, Puskesmas may apply the functions of Public Relations in implementing the preventive programs by providing sufficient information about the danger of the excessive consumption of SSF, inviting people to change attitudes and actions, and representing the organization’s attitude towards society.

Digital Communication in Post Pandemic Times: Impact on Indian Youth

Communication has adapted to various drastic changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of pandemic has forced every form of communication to a complete halt. Connectivity, social-networking, internet advertisements, virtual reality, and video conferencing are no longer optional and have become must-haves. Though COVID-19 is obviously playing a major role as a trigger, the paradigm changes in communication have been emerging throughout. Listening is not easy as before since it has become virtual where some find to balance Indian youth has been greatly affected with the shift taken place during the pandemic and leads the way to the post-pandemic India. The basic question is on how the Indian youth have come across the pandemic times and started looking forward to the new wave in the emerging technological advancements in communication. This research study examines the communication technologies that have emerged mostly during pandemic times and their effect on Indian Youth. The research method used for the study is analytical survey among Indian youth from various Indian cities. The result of the study clearly explains the reception for the communication advancements.