JURNALISME WARGA SEBAGAI KATALISATOR KOMUNIKASI POLITIK YANG BERIMBANG

Abstract

In a democratic political life , people are required to behave actively in political processes . Socie-
ty either consciously or unconsciously , formally or informally , often get involved in the communi-
cation processes that involves analysis and study of political communication . Media thus become
the channel that connects the political interests either vertically or horizontally . Media becomes
the container in political life as a place for people , politicians and rulers to meet . Most political
communications in the media , conducted by journalists from major media or mainstream media .
The active role of the journalist is to seek , cultivate and broadcast informations . During its devel-
opment , in line with the acceleration of technological development , this journalistic activities can
also be done by the general public . This phenomenon is called Jurnalisme Warga , often called
citizen journalism , participatory journalism or public journalism . Not mutually exclusive , even
the mainstream media and citizen journalism can be complementary , mutually controlling and
further could be expected to achieve a balance in establishing the objectivity of the nation politi-
cal life reality. Opinions or voices that born from Citizen Journalism will be heard by both parties
either by society itself horizontally and up to government vertically . If good journalism ethics
guide could be implemented well, this Citizen Journalism will be able to perform a function as a
catalyst of balanced political communication.