Teori Pers Normatif di Dalam Bingkai Berita Pada Era Informasi: Sebuah Analisa Wacana Kritis

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This article aims to examine the function and role of the press in society amidst the dynamics of today's information age. Various studies on the press have stated that the press plays a role as an agent of societal change toward progress or modernization. The press can be an agency of democracy through reporting that adheres to democratic values and through providing a space for the exchange of ideas on democratic values. Referring to normative theories of the press, particularly the "Free Press" theory, the press is the fourth pillar of democracy, after the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Historically, the press has represented itself in this role, making its existence, both as a profession and an institution, a crucial agency within a democratic system. However, the relationship between the press and society is dynamic and, to some extent, can influence journalistic production. For example, the press is currently under pressure from communication and information technology, particularly the internet. While the press played a key role in producing information (news) before the internet era, it now competes with amateur, anonymous, and other information producers for the attention of recipients. How do normative press theories fare in these conditions? How do press circles carry out their news-producing routines? This article attempts to observe the press through normative press theory, referring to a critical paradigm using a historical-comparative approach and Critical Discourse Analysis methodology. A historical-comparative approach is necessary to understand the journey of the press within the socio-political structure of a particular period, while the Critical Discourse Analysis methodology is used to dissect texts produced by the press/journalists. As a study grounded in a critical paradigm, this article seeks to uncover the meaning of these texts and understand what goes on behind their creation