“I don’t want to get vaccinated!”: Online News and Public’s Distrust

  • 09/03/2021
  • Category: Commentaries
No Comments

Devastations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted the high demand for vaccines. However, now that its distribution has become possible, why are Indonesian public divided in their views to get vaccinated?[i] As the pandemic limits various activities, the public’s reliance on online media has become more prominent.[ii] Such is shown through the increasing popularity of online news portals.[iii] According to Alexa, the number one most accessed site in Indonesia is a news portal called Okezone.com.[iv] Considering this popularity, the quality of news articles is pretty much expected, particularly on COVID19 information. However, have online news portals been able to do so, especially considering the lack of public confidence in vaccines?

Figure 1 shows Indonesia’s top 10 sites* Source: https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/ID

According to Kovach and Rosenstiel, there are ten elements of journalism: 1) Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth, 2) Its first loyalty is to citizens, 3) Its essence is a discipline of verification, 4) Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover, 5) It must serve as an independent monitor of power, 6) It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise, 7) It must strive to keep the significant interesting and relevant, 8) It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional, 9) Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience, and 10) Citizens, too, have rights and responsibilities when it comes to the news.[v] Considering recent developments in online news portals, the descriptions of these elements have been adjusted by the authors to include issues posed by the modern form of journalism, particularly on how the public is now expected to be more responsible in dealing with news.[vi] While there are some weaknesses in theorizing these elements, such as how it is deemed too idealistic, they are still relevant and applicable in analyzing the extent of reliability in journalism works.[vii] In addition, to enhance this reliability, news items’ layout must communicate crucial information to audiences in the most efficient manner.[viii] In this case, has popular news portals in Indonesia adhered to what defines reliable journalism? Looking at the three most popular news portals in Indonesia- Okezone, Tribunnews, and Detik, this article has concluded that reliable journalism, especially on COVID19 vaccine-related information, has yet been achieved by these sources (See Figure 1).[ix] The reasons are as follows.

Firstly, the placement of COVID19, especially vaccine-related information, is not strategic. “Not strategic” refers to how the needed information is not placed in an area where viewers could readily see and access it.[x] It does not rank high in terms of gaining viewers’ attention and thus getting fewer priority clicks. This could be seen through the three sites as follows: 1) In Okezone, through its main page, it is observed that COVID19 information does not have its own exclusive tab (See Figure 2.1). While the topic does appear on headlines on several occasions, the headline section does not guarantee the information regarding COVID19 to appear regularly (See Figure 2.2). Also, even if there is a small tab on the middle right side of the main page regarding COVID19 positive cases, it is not enough to garner viewers’ attention on more comprehensive COVID19 issues. This is so as it only shows numerical figures without much explanation for it to be called a journalism work (See Figure 2.3). It is also concerning to see how, instead, lifestyle and entertainment-related info have its own exclusive tabs for viewers to access on the left side of the main portal page (See Figure 2.4). 2) In Tribunnews, while there is an exclusive tab for COVID19 information, the tab is considerably smaller than other topic tabs, making it less visible for viewers to click on (See Figure 3.1). Like Okezone, while it places COVID19 news on the headline, it does not do so regularly (See Figure 3.2). 3) In Detik, similar to Okezone, it only provides a tab informing the number of COVID19 cases on its main page (See Figure 4.1). While they have indeed linked it to a much more exclusive page, the location and information the portal gives are too small to garner viewers’ attention. Also, their headline does not guarantee the regular showcase of COVID19 news (See Figure 4.2)

Layout Problems Identified in Okezone (Source: Okezone.com)

Figure 2.1 Shows how Okezone have no exclusive tab for COVID19 news
Figure 2.2 Shows how the Headline section in Okezone does not necessarily show news on the COVID19 vaccine
Figure 2.3 Shows Okezone tab on COVID19 information focuses more on numerical data of the cases
Figure 2.4 Shows how the sidebar for exclusive news sections does not include the COVID19 topic

Layout Problems Identified in Tribunnews (Source: Tribunnews.com)

Figure 3.1 Shows how the tab for COVID19 topic in Tribunnews is relatively smaller as compared to other topics
Figure 3.2 Shows how the Headline section in Tribunnews does not necessarily show news on COVID19

Layout Problems Identified in Detik (Source: Detik.com)

Figure 4.1 Shows Detik tab on COVID19 information focuses more on numerical data of the cases
Figure 4.2 Shows how the Headline section in Detik does not necessarily show news on COVID19

            Secondly, while there are indeed well-written reports on the COVID19 vaccine in these news portals, most articles that gain the public’s attention are related to celebrities. This includes as well themes on COVID19- which celebrity got COVID-19? What are their views on the COVID19 vaccine? For example, 1) On January the 27th 2021, in Okezone, the number one most popular news was on Donna Agnesia, who was tested positive on COVID19. If the focus was more on how she got the virus and related protocols she had to go through, the news might be considered informative. However, instead, the focus was more on how her partner wishes for her recovery.[xi] Worse, it is observed that other popular news in the rank is mostly on celebrities’ lives (See Figure 5.1). 2) In Tribunnews, while COVID19 as a topic is included in the portal topic popularity ranking, as compared to other topics, it seems to be less attractive, as it ranks last (See Figure 5.2). While on the other hand, celebrities related topics dominated the ranking (See Figure 5.2). 3) In Detik, while the COVID19 vaccine tag was claimed to be one of the most popular, other news on the subject of celebrity and entertainment dominates the news popularity ranking (See Figure 5.3). On January the 31st, only 4 out of 20 most popular news items had a COVID19 theme (See Figure 5.3). Also, these news items mostly do not focus on crucial information regarding the COVID19 in itself (See Figure 5.3).

“Popularity” Problems Identified in the News Portals (Sources: Okezone.com, Tribunnews.com, Detik.com, as stated)

Figure 5.1 Shows how the popularity ranking in Okezone is dominated by celebrity news
Figure 5.2 Shows how in Tribunnews, the COVID19 topic placed last in the popularity ranking
Figure 5.3 Shows how in Detik, while the COVID19 vaccine tag is part of the most popular, its list of popular news articles depicts otherwise. The picture on the left shows rank 1-7. The picture in the middle shows rank 8-14. The picture on the right shows rank 15-20.

            So far, considering the layout and popularity of COVID19 and vaccine-related topics, some may argue that the problem lies in the Indonesian public’s interest. This argument is valid to a certain extent with consideration. Firstly, while it may be true that COVID19 topics are not popular as compared to other topics like celebrities, the layout of the news portal may be responsible for COVID19 topics getting lesser clicks. As explained previously, the placement of COVID19 news is not as strategic as other topics, making it less visible for access. Secondly, in cases where the placement of COVID19 news is strategic, for instance, it happens to be in the headline, the issue discussed through the topic may not be as interesting for viewers. For example, the news title already explained the article’s content without viewers having to click it, such as- Person A died of COVID19, or numbers of COVID19 cases had increased to a certain number. Thirdly, some may argue that the problem still lies in the viewers’ lack of interest in COVID19 topics. This is so as there are news portals that placed interesting COVID19 articles strategically. However, news portals still have the responsibility to tackle this problem. As compared to celebrities’ private lives, COVID19 is very obviously much more important and necessary news. Especially now when the public’s distrust over vaccines is still all-time high. Information on vaccines must be delivered to members of the public effectively. However, news portals have yet done so responsibly, as shown through how they prioritize the delivery of entertainment and celebrity news more readily.

            In conclusion, how does all this relate to the public’s distrust over Indonesia’s vaccine schemes? As previously mentioned, considering the limitation over physical interaction, cyberspace has become the number one hub for human connection. In this case, the most popular accessed sites in Indonesia happens to be online news portals. Thus, it is natural to conclude that, amid COVID19 vaccine uncertainties, the number one go-to is these news portals. While it is valid to say that members of the public should instead access government official sites to seek this information, the reality is that government sites are less popular than news portals. Making government sites more interesting may be part of the solution. However, it is still a fact that government sites are not “appropriate” sources of news that adhere to the previously mentioned journalism elements.

On the other hand, news portals have yet delivered vaccine-related information readily, causing the public’s distrust to remain. With this said, what could be done better? Firstly, the layout for COVID19 topics, especially on vaccines, should be made more strategic than other less important topics like “celebrity lifestyles.” Secondly, the articles’ quality should touch upon more comprehensive, easy-to-understand topics regarding COVID19 information that the public needs, instead of only reporting case numbers or public figures tested positive.

*The table was taken on January the 31st, 2021, in which kompas.com ranks higher than detik.com. However, from January the 27th to 30th, detik.com still ranks higher than kompas.com, and this research is done based on that observation.

Author: Mira Ardhya Paramastri
Editor: Amelinda Pandu Kusumaningtyas

References

[i] Al Jazeera. (2021). Vaccine hesitancy rises in Indonesia amid COVID-19 pandemic. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/4/vaccine-hesitancy-rises-in-indonesia-amid-covid-19-pandemic

[ii] Elfira, T.C. (2020).  APJII: The COVID-19 Pandemic Increases Internet Users In Indonesia By Nearly 200 Million. Retrieved from https://voi.id/en/teknologi/19331/apjii-the-covid-19-pandemic-increases-internet-users-in-indonesia-by-nearly-200-million

[iii] Kemp, S. (2020). DIGITAL 2020: INDONESIA. Retrieved from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2020-indonesia

[iv]Alexa. (2021). Top Sites in Indonesia. Retrieved from https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/ID

[v] American Press Institute. (2021). The elements of journalism. Retrieved from https://www.americanpressinstitute.org/journalism-essentials/what-is-journalism/elements-journalism/

[vi] Ibid.

[vii] Ekeanyanwu, N.T. (2013). Review of the Book Elements of Journalism by Kovach, B., & Rosenstiel, T. Covenant Journal of Communication (CJOC), 1(2), 196-201. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/5629536/The_Elements_of_Journalism_BILL_KOVACH_AND_TOM_ROSENSTIEL

[viii] Gruszynski, A., Damasceno, P., Sanseverino, G., & Bandeira, A.D.R. (2016). NEWSPAPER DESIGN: professional skills from print to multi-platform. Brazilian Journalism Research, 12(3), p. 36. DOI: 10.25200/BJR.v12n3.2016.906

[ix] Alexa. (2021). Top Sites in Indonesia. Retrieved from https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/ID

[x] Gruszynski, A., Damasceno, P., Sanseverino, G., & Bandeira, A.D.R. (2016). NEWSPAPER DESIGN: professional skills from print to multi-platform. Brazilian Journalism Research, 12(3), p. 42. DOI: 10.25200/BJR.v12n3.2016.906

[xi] Tribuana, L. (2021). Donna Agnesia Positif Covid-19, Darius Sinathrya: Cepat Sembuh, Kita Tunggu di Rumah. Retrieved from https://celebrity.okezone.com/read/2021/01/26/33/2351149/donna-agnesia-positif-covid-19-darius-sinathrya-cepat-sembuh-kita-tunggu-di-rumah