Legal Literacy - The press and mass media are the fourth pillar of democracy after the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Both have a role to convey information to the public freely, honestly, and in a balanced manner.

The independence of the press and mass media is one manifestation of people's sovereignty based on the principles of democracy, justice, and the rule of law.

This article discusses the paradigm of the existence of the press and mass media as pillars of democracy in Indonesia.

Understanding the Press and Mass Media

Etymologically, the word 'press' comes from Latin perssare, which is from the word premere which means "to press" or "to print." In a narrow sense, the press can be interpreted as print media, such as newspapers, magazines, and so on.

Meanwhile, in terms of terminology, the press is a social institution and a mass communication vehicle that carries out various journalistic activities. These activities include seeking, obtaining, possessing, storing, processing, and conveying information, whether in the form of writing, sound, images, sound and images, as well as data and graphics or in other forms using print media, electronic media, and all types of available channels. This definition refers to the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, namely in Chapter I Article 1.

Meanwhile, mass media is a tool or means to disseminate news, opinions, comments, entertainment, and so on that can be accessed by the wider community. Mass media acts as a communicator and agent of change that is able to influence the audience through every piece of information presented.

In this case, there are 5 functions of mass media, including the function of surveillance (surveillance), interpretation (interpretation), linkage (linkage), transmission of values (transmission of value), and the entertainment function (entertainment). In more detail, these functions can be described as follows:

1. Surveillance Function (Surveillance)

The surveillance function in mass media is divided into 2 forms, namely:

a. Warning Surveillance (Warning or Beware Surveillance)

This function occurs when mass media provides information related to threats, whether in the form of natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, or shows that show alarming conditions, such as inflation or military attacks.

b. Instrumental Surveillance (Instrumental Surveillance)

Instrumental surveillance is the function of mass media to convey or disseminate information that can help people in their daily lives.

2. Interpretation Function (Interpretation)

Mass media not only presents facts and data to the public, but also provides interpretations of important events. This aims to invite readers or viewers to broaden their horizons and provide more in-depth discussions through interpersonal or group communication.

3. Linkage Function (Linkage)

Mass media can unite diverse members of society, thereby forming linkages (linkage) based on shared interests and concerns.

4. Transmission of Values Function (Transmission of Values)

This function is also called the socialization function (socialization). Socialization refers to a condition in which individuals are moved to adopt the behavior or values of a group.

5. Entertainment Function (Entertainment)

Mass media as a means of entertainment aims to reduce mental stress from the public or netizens. This function can take the form of light news or entertaining video broadcasts.

The press and mass media may seem similar at first glance. However, there is a fundamental difference between the two terms. The press is an institution that produces or publishes information, while mass media is a means of disseminating products from the press.

However, both the press and mass media have urgency and an important role in the implementation of democracy in Indonesia.

The Press and Mass Media as Pillars of Democracy

Etymologically, democracy comes from the Greek words“demos”and“kratos”. Demos means people or the public, while kratos means government.

In terms of definition, democracy is a system of government that grants rights and freedoms to its citizens to express their opinions and participate in government decision-making.

Democracy can be viewed from two perspectives. First, democracy is seen in reality based on everyday life. Second, democracy is seen as it is portrayed by the mass media.

Democratization in a country will not be maximized if it only relies on the role of parliament. Therefore, the existence of the press and mass media is very necessary as a means of communication between the government and the people, as well as the people with the people.

The dissemination of information through mass media is in line with the principle of democracy, namely the concept of comprehensive and open transformation. In this case, freedom of the press is needed to support the upholding of democracy, justice, and truth.

The fourth pillar of democracy was first coined by Edmund Burke at the end of the 18th century. The term indicates that the political power held by the press is equivalent to the other three pillars in British life, namely God, the Church, and the House of Commons.

If this concept is associated with the democratic system in Indonesia, the power of the press is considered equivalent to other pillars of democracy, namely the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The power of the press here refers to the power to oversee the running of the government and channel the aspirations of the people. Not only that, the press and mass media also play a role in encouraging people to express their voices.

Moreover, in election moments, especially presidential elections, press institutions and mass media have an important role in influencing people's thoughts. Various media ranging from newspapers, television, radio, to news portals online massively broadcast the course of the presidential candidates' campaigns.

Through these broadcasts, the public is expected to be moved to determine their choices according to their respective preferences and minimize abstentions.

As the fourth pillar of democracy, the press and mass media require freedom and independence in carrying out their functions.

Article 4 of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press states that the independence of the press is guaranteed as a human right of citizens. A press institution is also not subject to censorship, banning, and prohibition of broadcasting. The independence of the press is also realized with the guarantee from the government to seek, obtain, and disseminate ideas and information.

Democracy in the form of freedom to convey information is sometimes also misused by press institutions and mass media.

During the election period, a number of journalists and press institutions certainly face various existential problems as a result of media company owners becoming party leaders or even participating as legislative candidates in the election moment.

During these times, sales of print media copies and media ratings online may increase. Campaign-related advertisements have the potential to increase the company's wealth. It is also possible that press institutions and mass media have political orientations that support the company owners.

In fact, the main commitment of the press and mass media is the public interest. However, in reality, the truth that should be conveyed by them is often contaminated with hoax news.

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemenkominfo) released that every year there are thousands of hoax spreaders in Indonesia. These various sites not only contain falsehoods, but also spread hatred, prejudice related to ethnicity, religion, race, and group (SARA), slander, and provocation of distrust to public bodies.

The press and mass media, which are expected to provide direction and correct information to the public, have instead become a forum for voicing political attitudes, partiality, hatred, and hostility. Not infrequently, the public also has difficulty distinguishing between true and hoax information.

Therefore, public participation is needed to oversee and minimize the spread of hoaxes so that the role of press institutions and mass media does not deviate from its function as the fourth pillar of democracy.