Dampak Praktik Konglomerasi Media Terhadap Pencapaian Konsolidasi Demokrasi di Indonesia

Abstract

Mass Media as the fourth pillar of democracy has an important role in the process of democratic consolidation. However, In Indonesia, the role of media as tools in providing the open, free, right and objective informations and shaping public opinions are still facing the challenges from the practices of media conglomeration or the so called – " monopoly of media ownership " . This exacerbated by the characterization of media owners who participated in political sector even as the leader of political party. This essay explains on how the monopoly practices in media sector has affected the democratic process in this country especially towards the achievement of " consolidated democracy " . Through the literature review and media analysis, it is known that Indonesia's social-political atmosphere today has been formed into " Media Era " . Media regulate what should be discussed and what should be avoided to be discussed by the public. Media has been in power in choosing countries' leader, media has unleashed elites' political agenda, concocted them into commodities, and earned profits from such action – giving the media owners the ability to buy political influences.