UNS — The Agricultural Extension & Communication Study Program (PKP), Faculty of Agriculture (FP) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a general lecture on Monday (5/4/2021). This lecture aims to provide journalism knowledge, especially in the agricultural sector, to the students, inviting Arif Budi Susilo as the President Director of Solopos as the main speaker.
Arif Budi Susilo explains that the current role of the media is not limited to the source of information and entertainment but also as social control in responding to the news media. This industry is affected by the disruption. “The disruption due to internet development has a crucial impact on this industry, starting with the Internet of Things (IoT) into the Internet of Everything (IoE). Starting on 2011 to 2015, media usage increase rapidly. Internet-based media are soaring, while the print-based media decreased,” he explains.
The media landscape will change continuously. The newsroom that initially comes from television and printed media is now evolving and adding messenger service, social media, and online news. Especially during this pandemic condition when most activities are conducted virtually. “This condition involves journalism. Now, journalism can be done everywhere. Moreover, media must provide multiplatform access as a means of sharing information. Thus the general public can access through any platform,” he said.
The negative sides of this development, however, are related to the fact that everyone can become a journalist and write anything, anywhere, and anytime. This type of news often does not base on research, which resulted in hoaxes news circulated in the communities. A journalist must understand the ethical code and consider the public interest, be skeptical, logical, using a common-sense approach, and verify their written material.
One aspect in journalism that is often neglected is the key message. In agricultural journalism, sometimes there is a failure in delivering the message through communication, which leads to misunderstanding. This condition can happen because of the lack of agricultural knowledge that creates ambiguity in the news. At the same time, accuracy in journalism is important and must follow the context. Facts become an irreplaceable aspect of news because they will affect the news. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti