Media Komunitas dan Civil Society: Studi Analisa Discourse Terhadap Televisi Komunitas dan Radio Komunitas dalam Proses Penguatan Masyarakat Lokal

Abstract

One thing that differentiates the growth of civil society in Indonesia with that in the West relates to according to Habermas, the role of media. According to Habermas, media in the West helps creating public sphere. The media attempts to become mediator, to protect and to provide public sphere. In the public sphere, all citizen can participate freely in the debates and discourses relating to social reality. The sphere can be utilized by media to promote and to inform empirical fact required by citizens to formulate their attitudes towards social, economic, cultural and political issues. In this case, media can place itself as autonom and independent agent to open ways for the creation of mature public debates. It should not take side and manipulate public opinion vulgarly. It is in this context, the presence of Community Media or 'MEDIA KOMUNITAS' is relevant. The community media such as community television and radio must be developed as part of community empowerments to strengthen civil society.