KomunikA
Vol. 22 No. 01 (2026): Interpersonal Communication, Disaster Mitigation Communication and Mass Commu

Free or Monitored?: The Panopticon System in Indonesian Media Reporting

Habibi , Abdillah (Unknown)
Malik, Rahman (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Mar 2026

Abstract

ABSTRACT The rapid development of news media due to technology in Indonesia indicates the presence of panopticon practices within it. Therefore, this research aims to delve deeper into how the panopticon practice exists in media reporting and to find out whether every individual in society is actually monitored or free in their life due to this practice. This research is a descriptive qualitative study with literature review and digital observation as data collection methods. This research shows that out of the three news articles used as examples of panopticon practices in the media, two of them explain that every behavior and action of individuals in society will always be monitored, even in trivial private matters. Meanwhile, the remaining one explains that the media practices the panoptic method by instilling discipline through widespread reporting to the public regarding the behavior of individuals who oppose or do not conform to the system. The author concludes that the panoptic practice in the media shows constant surveillance of individuals in society, so individuals are actually not free and will always be monitored by news media. Keyword: Media; Panopticon; News Report

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Journal Info

Abbrev

komunika

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

Jurnal KomunikA adalah jurnal ilmiah yang terbit dua kali dalam setahun, di bawah Program Studi Ilmu Komunikasi, Universitas Sumatera Utara. KomunikA pertama kali terbit pada Maret 2004 dan hingga 2019 telah terbit sebanyak 13 (tiga belas) edisi dalam bentuk cetak. Kini, KomunikA akan dapat diakses ...