Religious Radio and Amal Soleh: The Reality of Worker Exploitation at Religious Radio Stations in West Java

Achmad Abdul Basith (Faculty of Communication Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia)
Dadang Rahmat Hidayat (Faculty of Communication Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia)
Dian Wardiana Sjuchro (Faculty of Communication Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia)

Journal of Science and Education (JSE)
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2025): Journal of Science and Education (JSE)

Religious radio stations serve as one of the media platforms for preaching and disseminating religious teachings. However, there is a noticeable tendency within these institutions to overlook workers’ welfare under the pretext of prioritizing religious missions. This study aims to analyze the labor management practices of religious radio stations in West Java. Employing a qualitative approach, the research is grounded in theoretical perspectives proposed by Weber (2002) and Marx (1978). The study involved eighteen religious radio stations across West Java as research subjects. The findings indicate that most of these religious radio stations rely heavily on freelance work and volunteer work. Moreover, the fulfillment of workers’ rights tends to be neglected, often falling short of labor regulations, and is legitimized through narratives of religious devotion, virtuous deeds, and spiritual rewards.