The Paradox of Social Media as the Fifth Pillar of Democracy

Media is also an instrument that can be used in conveying news to the public, either directly face to face, or by using newspapers, radio, banners, films, posters, or television media.

Indonesia is increasingly making progress in many sectors, including the implementation of direct elections and freedom of the press / mass media.

When compared to the era before the reformation, the existence of the mass media is very shackled.

In principle, criticism and shackles to the press in the era of Suharto's authoritarian government until mid-2004, were strongly influenced by the point of view that the state, in this case the government, was the party most responsible for these restraints.

Therefore, the press/mass media share the same fate as other people in terms of victims of the new order politics.

However, after the New Order government fell, the mass media had full freedom to provide information to the public.

This is a breath of fresh air for the mass media in reporting information to the public. The mass media and elections are closely related.

This makes the mass media a platform for candidates who compete in elections to disseminate and proclaim the socialization of their work programs to be assessed by the public and voters in determining the candidate they will choose, as well as the track record of the candidate.

(RM)