Degradation of the Role of the Indonesian Press as a Means of Political Propaganda in the Post-Truth Era

Abstract

The function of the press is very important in the democratic process of a country, including Indonesia. This is because the press is a channel for information and education for the public to also be involved in supporting democracy in Indonesia. The important position of the press is not in line with the fate of the press in the post-truth era which is increasingly being degraded by the interests of authoritarian power that is political in nature, thus making the press an institution that is no longer independent. This article uses an empirical method in discussing issues related to the degradation of the role of the press as a medium for political propaganda today. Based on the study conducted, it can be understood that the press institution which initially had a function as a medium for information, education, entertainment, and social control, has been degraded into a propaganda media for the political purposes of the rulers, this is the impact of the fact that most people trust news on social media more than news from a press institution, making the press institution increasingly depressed and unable to develop, the influence of an authoritarian government captivates press freedom, has caused press news to experience degradation related to truth, and more following the political framing made by the rulers, and the minimal development of the press and public interest in press products and the influence of authoritarian power, has led to a decline in the welfare of journalists so that many journalists abuse their profession to seek economic welfare illegally.