YOGYAKARTA – The media takes on the function of social control in the current Covid-19 pandemic era. Every media report is intended to lead public awareness to look at the surrounding conditions and increase awareness of the phenomena that are happening.
“The press wants the public to be aware of the phenomena around them and become vigilant and can take precautions to avoid the virus,” said Marketing Manager of PT Tempo Inti Media, Seto Ajie Wijaya in the State Defence Webinar at the FISIP Session of the National Development University “Veteran” Yogyakarta, Wednesday (20/05/2020).
He added that the role of social control is also carried out through news that leads to criticism of the government for handling Covid-19. For example, related to media demands that the government be more transparent about data on the Covid-19 case. With correct and accurate information, Seto continued, the public also has sufficient understanding and makes the right personal decisions.
“Regarding the news informed by the media, the Press Council has also appealed to prioritise the code of ethics in reporting. If this is opposed, it will cause uproar in the community,” he said.
On the other hand, the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, Machya Astuti Dewi, on the same occasion explained about the contribution of universities in building social resilience in the Covid-19 era. She said that public awareness is currently still relatively low, there are still many violations of various government policies. “What is actually wrong with our society? Is it related to the culture of gathering? Not afraid? or Don’t care?” he said.
Related to this condition, the campus has a role to play in increasing public awareness of Covid-19. “The campus through its various activities, including lecturers and students, can educate so that people care more about themselves and each other,” added Machya.
For your information, the State Defence Webinar Session of FISIP UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta took the theme Building Social Resilience in the Covid-19 Era Through the Role of Universities, Mass Media, Business World and Government. The activity was held with the concept of a webinar with a total of 500 participants. Apart from Seto Ajie Wijaya and Machya Astuti, this activity also featured Magelang Regent Zaenal Arifin, Salim Agrochemical’s HR Recruitment and Training, Achmad Locky and the Coordinator of Higher Education Institutional Strengthening of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Adhrial Refaddin.