The Effects of Communication Dependence

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 15 views

The Power of Mass Media: Medan City Community Dependence on Campaign News of Presidential Candidates in Newspapers and Television

Introduction

In the midst of the 2004 Presidential Election, the people of Medan City showed great interest in the news of the campaign of presidential candidates. This study aims to analyze how public communication dependence on information conveyed through the mass media, especially newspapers and television. The focus of this research is in the two largest villages in Medan Perjuangan District, namely Sei Kera Hilir I and Tegalrejo Village.

Background

The 2004 Presidential Election was a significant event in Indonesian history, marking the country's transition to democracy. The election was a crucial moment for the people of Medan City, who were eager to exercise their right to vote and shape the future of their country. In this context, the mass media played a vital role in providing information to the public about the presidential candidates and their campaigns.

Methodology

This study employed a descriptive research method, which aimed to describe the situation or event that occurred. The research respondents were family members of the two villages, namely husband, wife, or child. To determine the sample, the Taro Yamane formula was used, which produced 98 respondents randomly selected by the Simple Random Sampling method.

Results

The results of this study showed a significant dependency from the people of Medan City to the campaign news of the presidential candidate presented by the mass media. In the context of the social system, this dependency is clearly seen by the change in the way the community conducts voting directly. This direct election triggers the public to get enough information to make their choices.

In terms of the media system, freedom in reporting news of the campaign of presidential candidates provides adequate access to information for the community. With the variation and intensity of the report presented by newspapers and television, the public feels more educated about the available choices.

Meanwhile, from the perspective of the audience, interest and enthusiasm for political issues, especially those related to the campaign of presidential candidates, encouraging people to continue to follow the development of existing information. The tripartite relationship between social systems, media systems, and audiences described by the theory of communication dependence shows that the higher the level of people's dependence on news, the greater the effects caused.

The Effects of Communication Dependence

These effects can be seen in the affective, cognitive, and behavior level. This study found that the influence of information from the mass media not only affects the understanding and attitudes of the community, but also affects their actions in the political context. This confirms that the dependency formed is very strong and has an impact on the way people consume political information.

Conclusion

Overall, this research shows that the mass media has a crucial role in shaping the mindset and attitude of the Medan City community towards the presidential candidates in the 2004 elections. With the increasing dependence on campaign news, the community becomes more involved in the political process, and is more sensitive to the issue- Issues related to general elections. The results of this study are expected to be an important reference in understanding the dynamics of political communication in Indonesia, especially in the era of mass media that continues to develop.

Implications

The findings of this study have several implications for the role of mass media in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior. Firstly, the study highlights the importance of mass media in providing accurate and unbiased information to the public. Secondly, it emphasizes the need for the media to be responsible and accountable in their reporting, particularly during election periods. Finally, the study suggests that the public should be critical and discerning in their consumption of information, and not rely solely on the mass media for their understanding of political issues.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations can be made. Firstly, the mass media should continue to play a crucial role in providing information to the public about political issues and candidates. Secondly, the media should strive to be more responsible and accountable in their reporting, particularly during election periods. Finally, the public should be encouraged to be more critical and discerning in their consumption of information, and not rely solely on the mass media for their understanding of political issues.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that should be acknowledged. Firstly, the study was conducted in a specific context, namely the 2004 Presidential Election in Medan City. Secondly, the study relied on a descriptive research method, which may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics of political communication. Finally, the study did not explore the role of other factors, such as social and cultural context, in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior.

Future Research Directions

Despite the limitations of this study, several future research directions can be identified. Firstly, further research should be conducted to explore the role of mass media in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior in other contexts. Secondly, the study should be replicated in other countries to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of political communication. Finally, the study should be extended to explore the role of other factors, such as social and cultural context, in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of mass media in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior. The findings of this study have several implications for the role of mass media in Indonesia, particularly in the era of mass media that continues to develop. The study suggests that the mass media should continue to play a crucial role in providing information to the public about political issues and candidates, and that the public should be encouraged to be more critical and discerning in their consumption of information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Medan City Community Dependence on Campaign News of Presidential Candidates in Newspapers and Television

Q: What was the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study was to analyze how public communication dependence on information conveyed through the mass media, especially newspapers and television, in the context of the 2004 Presidential Election in Medan City.

Q: What was the research method used in this study?

A: The research method used in this study was descriptive, which aimed to describe the situation or event that occurred. The research respondents were family members of the two villages, namely husband, wife, or child. To determine the sample, the Taro Yamane formula was used, which produced 98 respondents randomly selected by the Simple Random Sampling method.

Q: What were the findings of this study?

A: The findings of this study showed a significant dependency from the people of Medan City to the campaign news of the presidential candidate presented by the mass media. In the context of the social system, this dependency is clearly seen by the change in the way the community conducts voting directly. This direct election triggers the public to get enough information to make their choices.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The findings of this study have several implications for the role of mass media in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior. Firstly, the study highlights the importance of mass media in providing accurate and unbiased information to the public. Secondly, it emphasizes the need for the media to be responsible and accountable in their reporting, particularly during election periods. Finally, the study suggests that the public should be critical and discerning in their consumption of information, and not rely solely on the mass media for their understanding of political issues.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations that should be acknowledged. Firstly, the study was conducted in a specific context, namely the 2004 Presidential Election in Medan City. Secondly, the study relied on a descriptive research method, which may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics of political communication. Finally, the study did not explore the role of other factors, such as social and cultural context, in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Despite the limitations of this study, several future research directions can be identified. Firstly, further research should be conducted to explore the role of mass media in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior in other contexts. Secondly, the study should be replicated in other countries to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of political communication. Finally, the study should be extended to explore the role of other factors, such as social and cultural context, in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations can be made. Firstly, the mass media should continue to play a crucial role in providing information to the public about political issues and candidates. Secondly, the media should strive to be more responsible and accountable in their reporting, particularly during election periods. Finally, the public should be encouraged to be more critical and discerning in their consumption of information, and not rely solely on the mass media for their understanding of political issues.

Q: What are the conclusions of this study?

A: In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of mass media in shaping public opinion and influencing political behavior. The findings of this study have several implications for the role of mass media in Indonesia, particularly in the era of mass media that continues to develop. The study suggests that the mass media should continue to play a crucial role in providing information to the public about political issues and candidates, and that the public should be encouraged to be more critical and discerning in their consumption of information.