Head Of Central PWI Hendry Ch. Bangun Highlights Lack Of Research On The Impact Of Media News

Chairman of PWI Hendry Ch Bangun. (Photo of Bambang Eros VOI)

JAKARTA The General Chairperson of the Central PWI, Hendry Ch. Bangun, highlighted the lack of research related to the impact of media coverage on individuals, groups, and the public. This was conveyed in a webinar entitled "Communication: Media and Mental Health" organized by students of the Faculty of Communication Sciences at Mercu Buana University on Saturday 6 July.

"Unfortunately in Indonesia, research related to this is still lacking or not of concern among academics and the press community itself. In the future, cooperation is needed between campuses, the press community, and the government to explore it more," said Hendry Ch. Bangun.

The Bad Impact of Media News has also caught the attention of the Press Council, which has made various regulations to address this problem. Hendry explained that one of the important steps is to avoid reports that can inspire negative actions such as suicide, provide trauma healing places, and prevent the isolation of families of perpetrators or victims from the community.

Dudi Iman Hartono, MI.Kom., Lecturer of Communication Science at Mercu Buana University, also highlighted the bad effects of media reporting on mental health. According to him, the mass media not only conveys information but also has a significant influence on the way people understand and interpret the world.

"Medias often strengthen or challenge certain stereotypes and representations about social, ethnic and cultural groups, including norms and values that influence the way individuals shape their identities," said Dudi, who is also the caretaker of an Online Lecture YouTube account (www.youtube.com/@studying).

The impact of Social Media on Generation Z was also discussed by Dr. Arie Sutyana Sriyanto, SSi., MSi. According to Arie, the negative impacts caused include increased social anxiety, depression, and the risk of self-injury and suicide. Social media addiction also gave birth to a trend called FOMO (fear of missing out). This is a new symptom in the form of fear of missing something or fear of not being considered part of the community, "explained Arie.

In addition to presenting the Chairperson of the Central PWI Hendry Ch. Bangun, the webinar attended by Mercu Buana University students and teachers from various regions was opened by Dr. Niken Restaty, MSi. This event is the result of an Event Management class organized by Riki Arswendi, MI.Kom.