Asian Journal of Media and Communication E-ISSN: 2579-6119, P-ISSN: 2579-6100 Volume 3, Number 1, April 2019

When Media Owning Sports Club: Republika Editorial Policy in News Coverage about and Satria Muda

Fadlan A. Ramadan and Narayana M. Prastya Communication Science Department, Faculty of Psychology and Socio-Cultural Sciences, Universitas Islam [email protected]

Abstract

This paper aims to know about content of the news and editorial policy in Republika, when the media coverage news about Inter Milan and . Both of the sport teams are owned by , the boss of Republika. Based on literature, the interest of mass media owner and newsroom policy often difference. Because mass media owner have their goals, meanwhile the newsroom should obey the professional journalism standard. At the practice, the newsroom make usually make a compromise. This paper uses qualitative research methods. The data collecting technique are using documentary research and interviews. The documentary research held by collecting and analyzing news about Inter Milan and Satria Muda in Republika daily newspaper (print edition). The time period for Inter Milan news is August 2014 to October 2015 while Satria Muda in January to June 2016. At the time frame, both club did not win any competition that they were participated. So, at that time the club was in the negative period. The interviews held with the representative of the Republika sport section editor to confirm the result from text analysis. As the findings from text analysis, Republika always brings good news to Inter Milan and Satria Muda Pertamina, although both team was not winning the competition, and there were relatively much negative results in the single season. Republika explained that they have direct access to news sources from Inter Milan and Satria Muda Pertamina directly. So Republika will gain more information from both club than the other media. Not only in sporting theme (e.g. match results, preview, review), Republika sometimes deliver the news about the figure of Erick Thohir.

Keywords : editorial policy, media ownership, sport journalism, sport communication

INTRODUCTION Interventions of media owners is very strong, especially in a profit-oriented media. Mass media ownership will always Owners profit-oriented media have tremendous become interesting issue to discuss, because power toward the media contents, and can ask sometimes a conflict arises in the relationship the editor to or not to coverage particular issue, between the media owners to the newsroom. in accordance with the interest of the owner. To Conflicts that occur because media owner wants achieve these objectives, the inevitable media their interest to be reported, while the owners then make policies, rules to be followed newsroom should obey the journalism ethics by its media workers. In addition, the pressures values sometimes come in informally and indirectly on

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Volume 3, Number 1, April 2019 certain issues relating to the media owner confirmed by interviews with representatives (McQuail, 2010: 291). from Republika sports section editor, Mr,Abdullah Sammy. The interview took place In Indonesia, a study about the in Republika Office in , the time is May influence of media ownership to the editorial 29, 2017. policy, often talking about political themes (e.g. Souisa, 2017). This paper will discuss on a different issue, about the sport themes. Because LITERATURE REVIEW the number of owners (and corporate) media also owning a sport institution. In this part, writers will describe several literatures that discuss mass media company This paper discusses the editorial policy owning sport organization, or have an indirect of Republika in delivering news about the Italian interest in the sport organization. Sport football club Inter Milan and the Indonesian organization consists of: sports club, organizers basketball club Satria Muda. All three entities of the competition, and the federation. All owned by the same people, Erick Thohir. He is literatures that being described here are the owner of Inter Milan from November 2013 discussing case in Indonesia to October 2018. While in the basketball club Satria Muda, Erick Thohir is president of the The first literature discusses football club (writers note : at least until June 10, 2019, club Persiba Bantul owned by Idham Samawi. as of this writing is done – writers). He also become the owner of Kedaulatan Rakyat Daily Newspaper. In news coverage about This paper uses qualitative research Persiba, Kedaulatan Rakyat not only give methods. The data retrieval technique are using information about the results, fixtures of the documentary research and interviews. The game, but also provides information aimed at documentary research held by collecting and forming a positive image for the owner. The analyzing news about Inter Milan and Satria owner has big influence in spreading the club Muda in Republika daily newspaper (print nicknamed "Laskar Sultan Agung". The edition). The time period for Inter Milan news is researcher found that there is a indirect pressure August 2014 to October 2015 while Satria Muda toward the KR newsroom to deliver the good in the month of January to June 2016. The news about Persiba (Pasopati, 2012: 123). reason for choosing that time frame is when the two clubs did not win any competition. With The second literature discuss about zero-achievement (count from the title that the relation between Jawa Pos newspaper and club win) conditions, the authors assume there competition organizer for teenagers named are problems at both clubs. It will be interesting Deteksi Basketball League (DBL). The position to know how the news about both club is being for Director of Jawa Pos and DBL delivered and and the editorial policy in Commissioner held by the same person, Azrul Republika. Ananda. These conditions make the practice of journalism ethics in Jawa Pos becomes faded, We use frame Robert N.Entman model because the media coverage has become less for the news analysis. According to Entman objective, less independent, and less balanced. (2007: 164-165), framing is a process to select News about DBL in Jawa Pos are so massive and some elements of reality, giving the salience presents only the positives aspects, because it toward certain fact, and then collect a narrative will give the message more to promote DBL that shows the interrelationship between these (Dharmawan, 2013: 76-80). realities. The goal is bring a particular interpretation. This makes framing can be a The third literature discusses about tendency of news (news slant), the news reports ownership of broadcasting rights for sports were more likely to favor one thing and pulled competitions influencing the news coverage. the other stuff in the latest issue or things that The case is the dualism of Indonesian football might potentially be a problem , competition (between the Indonesian Premier League and Indonesia Super League) in 2011- Furthermore, framing influence the 2012. Television stations broadcast rights media agenda setting (Entman, 2007). Agenda holders to protect their business interests. MNC policy settings related to the media, so it needs TV is official broadcasting channel of LPI, and confirmation to the media after making a text ANTV become the official broadcasting station analysis. The results from news analysis later for ISL. In the era of media convergence, it is

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Fadlan A. Ramadan and Narayana M. Prastya, When Media Owning Sports Club: Republika Editorial Policy in News Coverage about Inter Milan and Satria Muda becoming increasingly widespread bias, as is also In another literature, Oates and Pauly done by the media that the media holding (2007: 336-339) stated that in particular, critics company with rights holders. As a result, all the fault the ethics of sports reporting because of its media are under the corporation MNC Group powerful commitment to narrative, its blurring presents the news in a positive LPI. The same of distinctions between news and advertising, condition happened in Viva Media Group. One and its acceptance of promotional stunts. Sports of Viva Media Group members, ANTV journalism’s acceptance of narrative invention television channel, is the official broadcaster of also challenges another foundational ideal of ISL. So all the media company under Viva journalism by ignoring the professional ideology Media Group give positive tone toward the that wishfully and inaccurately separates editorial news about ISL (Putra, et.al., 2016) and business interests. To separate the business from the editorial function is quite evidently not The fourth literature discusses about in place for most sports journalism, which is media owner that also have an interest in sports foundationally promotional of itself and its federations. This happened when the Football corporate partners (the teams and leagues) in its Association of Indonesia (PSSI) led by Nurdin coverage. Halid, who also member of Golkar Party. There is also the media in question is tvOne, which is owned by the Bakrie, chairman of the Golkar FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION party (at that time). In 2011, the PSSI in trouble. But once tvOne news tend to support the PSSI. 1 News analysis for Inter Milan This is caused by the conflict of interest at the Analysts on the findings of Republika level of ownership of tvOne, the Bakrie Group, text frame by selecting Inter Milan Republika to the management of PSSI. In news gathering highlight the issue and how the issue, activities, tvOne choose news sources that give researchers divided into two categories: news information that favorable to the interest of Inter Milan linked with Inter Milan competition Bakrie / PSSI. In the news processing activities, and news related to Erick Thohir. At the news many interventions that accommodate the Inter Milan linked with competition Republika interests of the media elite. So, the news from framing the news of the proclamation lack of tvOne is inaccurate and unbalanced. (Wibowo, consistency in the game Inter Milan is a natural 2014 : 60-63). thing because of the change of the coaching From the literatures that already chair Inter Milan are now taken care of by mentioned above, there is one common thing : and optimism Inter Milan problems relating to the ethics of journalism, framed by Republika as define problems, then when the media owner is also the owner of a Roberto Mancini as diagnoses causes because it health institution. A finding from Souisa (2017 : can not give the victory, 47) research stated that mass media has a The next category is reporting Inter strategic position, so that can be easily used as Milan linked with Erick Thohir. Republika instrument to achieve owner’s interests. framing the issue of Inter Milan is still owned by The question of journalistic ethics Erick Thohir for their purchases rumors back to practice has indeed been raised in the era of the Inter Milan Moratti and Republika framing act sports industry. Coakley (2003 : 440) reveals that improperly from Sampdoria president Massimo sports journalists confront sensitive issues. In Fererro has mengina Erick Thohir as define the one side, the demands of the profession problems of this category. Then Republika make journalists must remain critical; but in the framing Massimo Fererro mengina Erick Thohir other side should not damage the reputation of as diagnoses causes, Massimo Moratti to support a resource. This condition make the sports the policy Erick Thohir and Republika illustrates journalists are in a "grey area" where the that Erick Thohir have a good quality as a make guidelines on ethics sports journalist is not clear. moral judgments, to finish define problems, in These conditions make the sports journalists every news Republika write treatment only occasionally, or even very rarely have the Recommendation that Moratti leave a response. opportunity to do investigative reporting to uncover specific cases in sport.

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Table 1. Frame Summary for news about Inter Milan

Category define Problems Diagnoses Causes Make Moral treatment Judgment Recommendation Competition Republika framing Republika figure Republika describe Republika see Erick lack of consistency includes Roberto Erick Thohir as club Thohir give chance in the match Inter Mancini because it president who to Mancini and their Milan is a natural can not provide a supports Mancini and purchasing and thing. And victory for Inter Roberto Mancini have loaning players to Republika framing Milan. quite a long time to repair squad Inter optimism Inter Milan reach the target. Milan. in the running of the competition. Erick Thohir Republika framing Republika accentuate Republika illustrates Republika see that tends to accentuate the figure of that Massimo Moratti Moratti respond, that Inter Milan is Massimo Ferrero for support policies and then denied Inter still owned by Erick insulting Erick Erick Erick Thohir Milan will buy back Thohir and act Thohir. are people who have a and Ferrero improperly carried good quality. penalties and fines out by the president imposed by FIGC of Sampdoria. and Calcio.

2 News analysis for Satria Muda Furthermore, the second category, Satria Muda Pertamina news related to the Later in the text analyst findings Satria regular season. Satria Muda framing Republika Muda Pertamina researchers divided into four Games Pertamina still not consistent is a natural categories on reports Satria Muda Pertamina in thing as define problems. The lack of a the newspaper Republika ie 2015-2016 season chemistry and transition players Satria Muda Satria Muda news related to the preparation IBL Pertamina is diagnoses causes which have been Pertamina, Pertamina's Satria Muda news related framed by Republika in this category, then Satria to the regular season, the news Satria Muda Muda Pertamina is the team under-dog for the related Pertamina the play-offs, and peberitaan whole skuatnya inhabited by local players the Satria Muda associated with Erick Thohir make moral judgments framed by Republika, and Pertamina. In the category of Pertamina's Satria provide the exercise menu for to improve the Muda associated with the preparation of game and using the Satria Muda style as part of Republika IBL framing how Satria Muda the treatment reccomendation. Pertamina optimistic in the absence of foreign players in the mat IBL 2015-2016 as define In the third category, Satria Muda problems for the 2015-2016 season is the only Pertamina news related to the play-offs. team that does not use a naturalized basketball Republika framing one point as define problems, player is just Satria Muda, then researchers namely Pertamina Satria Muda lost two players noticed that the Republika frame on naturalized when the round over time in both games against players or foreign regulations as diagnoses CLS Kinghts. Satria Muda Republika displays causes. Republika presented three consecutive that Pertamina failed to advance to the final news related to the new regulation of naturalized round of the diagnoses causes. Satria Muda stiff players in the IBL 2015-2016. resistance from Pertamina and the promise of better suit Satria Muda slogan Pertamina as a Satria Muda Pertamina became the only make moral judgments, and appreciation of team with local players and Satria Muda Satria Muda coach Pertamina as a treatment Pertamina prefer local players from the foreign Recommendation. players as a make moral judgments, the senior players who will give guidance to junior players Then the latter category, news coverage and the professional attitude of the players as a about Satria Muda associated with Erick Thohir treatment Recommendation. Pertamina. After passing through several challenges Satria Muda Pertamina cruised into

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Fadlan A. Ramadan and Narayana M. Prastya, When Media Owning Sports Club: Republika Editorial Policy in News Coverage about Inter Milan and Satria Muda

the play-offs are defining problems are in the Erick Thohir proud of the achievement of the frame by Republika. Researchers looked Satria Muda Pertamina as a make moral Republika framing that there are two points to be judgments, and treatment Recommendation that diagnoses are some pemin core causes injuries has been framed by the leadership of Republika and their players who are already retired. then namely senior players in Satria Muda Pertamina. season the toughest Satria Muda Pertamina and

Table 2 Frame Summary for News about Satria Muda Pertamina

Category define Problems Diagnoses Causes Make Moral treatment Judgment Recommendation preparation Satria Muda Republika Republika highlight Satria Muda Republika look for IBL pertamina optimistic how nanturalisasi Republika professional attitude competition frame without any players or foreign illustrates that of the players Satria foreign players. regulations. Pertamina as the Muda and the senior only team with players who provide local players and guidance to junior Satria Muda players. Pertamina prefer local players of the foreign players. regular Republika tend framing Republika highlight Republika Republika notice season Satria Muda Games how the transition has illustrates that the provides exercises Pertamina still not not been established Satria Muda remain to improve your consistent is reasonable chemistry and the optimistic The next game menu and use players Satria Muda in-game action and the Satria Muda Pertamina has not Satria Muda style. been formed. Pertamina is the under-dog team for the entire skuatnya inhabited by local players. Play-offs Republika framing this Republika highlight Republika describe Republika see their category namely how Satria Muda Satria Muda gave a appreciation of Pertamina Satria Muda Pertamina failed to tough fight, Satria Muda coach lost two players when the advance to the final presenting an Pertamina. round over time. round. attractive game and promise to play better suit the team slogan. Erick Republika framing Satria Republika highlight Republika Republika illustrates Thohir Muda Pertamina cruised that the core players illustrates that Erick the leadership of the into the play-offs after were injured and Thohir proud with senior players in the going through some several players who Satria Muda Satria Muda challenges. have already retired. achievement Pertamina. Pertamina and this is the toughest season Satria Muda Pertamina.

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3 Discussion words used are not just technical but a political journalistic language (Eriyanto, 2002: 236). As the findings on an analysis of how the text of Republika always brings good news to We find the same pattern in news Erick Thohir, Satria Muda, and Pertamina. In coverage about Satria Muda Pertamina. The this case Repulika in presenting news and basketball news in Republika just informed about information, especially sports news Inter Milan Satria Muda Pertamina. This is the practice of and Satria Muda Pertamina featuring news Inter Republika editorial policy, because Republika has Milan during the 2014-2015 season and for full access to news sources from this basketball Satria Muda Pertamina in the 2016 season. club. In 2015-2016 season, Satria Muda Republika explained that they have access to Pertamina suffer 12 defeats, but Republika’s just news sources from Inter Milan and Satria Muda deliver the news for five defeats. Republika Pertamina directly. So Republika will gain more claimed they can not cover all the Satria Muda information from both club than the other game especially when the game is being played media. Not only in sporting theme (e.g. match on the outside Jakarta city (Jakarta is the results, preview, review), Republika sometimes headquarter of Republika). deliver the news about the figure of Erick There are several factors that potentially Thohir, when he leads both club. affect or news-making context. In this case, we In sum there are 150s news about Inter conclude that ownership become the factor that Milan in Republika (in this time period). influence the Republika newsroom in delvier Sometimes, news about club nicknamed “La news about Inter Milan and Satria Muda Beneamata” appeared in the economic and Pertamina. This findings also confirmed with business section of Republika. In 2014-2015 literatures that stated mass media is being used season, Inter Milan face trouble. For example, by the owner to accommodate their (the Republika twice use theme “first defeat for Inter owner’s) interest (Souisa, 2017). Milan”, on December 2, 2014 and January 27, What Republika’s done confirmed that 2015 edition. If we check the fact, the defeat when media companies also owning sport came in a single season. How come a team teams, it will affect the media content. The suffer their “first loss” twice in a single season? pressure from owner can come directly by the But, the media can create a meaning through the company rule or indirectly (McQuail, 2010; language that being used in the text. Pasopati, 2012). From our findings, we conclude When the club facing the trouble, then that pressure does exist. It can be seen from the the interests of the club owner (who also owns news theme and how Republika give salience the media) tried to be maintained. In 2014/2015 towards both club. But, we admit we did not get season, Inter Milan face the internal problem the data about the pressure, whether is directly that force the management of club nicknamed or indirectly. This is the handicap of our Nerazzurri to make a replacement for the coach research. position, from Walter Mazzarri to Roberto In giving salience for particular theme, Mancini. At the news Inter Milan factors that the mass media will choose the news sources or influence media content one of which factors information sources that support their (the influence the organization of the content. media’s) interest, in this case is the owners Republika assume that if there were issues interest (Wibowo, 2014). Republika use their relating to Erick Thohir and Inter Milan, access toward both clubs to gain information. Republika will soon ask the club for clarification So Republika can deliver the news that different because Inter is a club that is linked to the image than other media. In the one side, this access of Indonesia. assist the media to deliver "exclusive news". The The selection process of the various exclusive will attract more reader, and will help aspects of reality that a certain part of the event the media to gain more profit. is more prominent than in other aspects. But the access, that come from the Protrusion certain aspects of an issue closely owners factor, can have a risk toward journalism related to the writing of the facts. This process practice. As cited before, sport journalism relates to the use of language in reality write to operate in grey area because the guidelines on be read by the audience, the choice of certain ethics sports journalist is not clear (Coakley,

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Fadlan A. Ramadan and Narayana M. Prastya, When Media Owning Sports Club: Republika Editorial Policy in News Coverage about Inter Milan and Satria Muda

2003). The condition make more complex in Our research result has no significant this convergence era, because mass media difference if we compare with the previous companies also have another / non-media research. When mass media also owning a sport business (Souisa, 2017: 38). organization, or have indirect interest toward sport organization, the news from the mass When Republika try to "hide" the fact media will be bias. The content of the news will for seven times loss that suffered by Satria Muda keep the media owner’s interest. This condition Pertamina (only delivered the news about five will trigger problem toward the journalism ethics times loss from 12 loss), it could be said that the such as objectivity, balance, neutrality, etc.. act was against journalism ethics. But this Because to “create” a bias condition, mass condition is happened when the media owning media will decide whether information will be or sport organization, it will be difficult to practice will not be delivered. journalism ethics in ideal way (Dharmawan, 2013). But in the other side, news bias in The difference is on the sport inevitable because mass media is being used by organization that being owned. Inter Milan is an the owners to keep their business interest (Putra, Italian football team. It different with previous et.al, 2016). The practice of journalism ethics research that discuss about local (Indonesian) become tricky, because to separate the business football team. Although Italian football has from the editorial function is quite evidently not many fans in Indonesia, but the fanatism of in place for most sports journalism, which is Italian (and foreign) football club is lesser than foundationally promotional of itself and its local football team. Satria Muda Pertamina is corporate partners (the teams and leagues) in its basketball team. Basketball popularity in coverage (Oates and Pauly, 2007) Indonesia, we assume as not as high football and or badminton. The popularity, the rivalry of Our findings show that the media tend basketball maybe as not as hype football. to always give positive aspects for Inter Milan, Satria Muda, and Erick Thohir. Republika We admit that this research have claimed their effort to keep the journalism ethics limitation(s). From the data collecting technique, and standard with keep criticize team when the we use formal interview to get information from team is in positive trend. Meanwhile, when the Republika sport section editor. So the team is in negative trends, Republika will support information is limited. We can not get the feel the team with constructive news. From this fact, (of the pressure) in producing news about Inter we conclude that whether the owner’s influence Milan and Satria Muda Pertamina, because we come in direct or indirect way, the media always did not conduct participatory observation delivered the news in the good sake of the technique in news producing process. owner’s interest. In mass media company We admit that there is room for owning sport organization case the news improvement to study and discussion about this content is about positive aspects and theme. So, we give several advices for further promotional aspects of the sport organization research. First, research can use quantitative (Dharmawan, 2013; Oates and Pauly, 2007; content analysis toward the news. From the Putra, et.al, 2016). quantitative content analysis, we can make a mapping to the issue, or we can measure the objectivity of the mass media when it coverage CONCLUSION the news about club that owned by the media From our research and discussion, we owner. Second, research can use participatory conclude that ownership factor influence the observation technique, in order to get direct news content and editorial policy in Republika experience about the news production process. sport section. Republika tend to give salience But it is worth noting that this second advice is about positive aspects from Inter Milan and depend on the mass media, whether they Satria Muda Pertamina, whatever the result the give/or not give permission to the researcher. both teams gained. When the teams face Third, it is also interesting to conduct the negative period (e.g winless streak, did not audience research. For example, how Inter qualify in the next round of the tournament, no Milan fans in Indonesia and/or Satria Muda fans title no silverware at the end of the season), seek information about their favorite team? Are Republika give a news in positive tone, in order they also looking for information about Inter to keep the positive image of the team. Milan and/or Satria Muda by reading Republika?

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Or how they response, evaluate, the quality of news about Inter Milan and/or Satria Muda, that being delivered by Republika?

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