The Paradox of Social Media as the Fifth Pillar of Democracy

Currently, social media has become an influential factor in the democratic system in the country so that it can be seen as a paradox of the fifth pillar of democracy or the author calls quinqueas politica after the executive, legislative, judicial and press powers.

The role of the media is now also experiencing one of the most prestigious peaks that are able to influence people in giving their views and attitudes every day.

Although in understanding its influence as the fifth pillar of democracy as a paradox, many parties agree that social media can already be coupled with the roles of other pillars of democracy, namely the executive, legislative and judiciary as well as the press in co-operating with the democratic process in Indonesia.

Media which has a definition as a means of communication in society plays a strategic role in human social life.

Meanwhile, the pillar which is defined as the basis or parent is also very appropriate when you see the influence of the current media which is very large.

Democracy in Indonesia is increasingly opening up and making the media grow and become one of the connecting and unifying tools of the nation.

The convenience of technology and the increasing number of social media users from millennials to the elderly in filling their daily lives, make the media one of the best ways to share and explore information that is currently the most popular.

Many people are willing to spend most of their time almost every day surfing the world of social media.

The problems from the media are also very many, ranging from existing regulations, institutions that regulate the existence of the media and other things.

Media is a tool or means used to convey messages from communicators to audiences.

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)