Politicon : Jurnal Ilmu Politik
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Politicon : Jurnal Ilmu Politik

Political Communication and the Right to Information: Fulfilling the Public's Right to Information on Elections in the 2024 Bali Regional Elections

Ni Wayan Widhiasthini (Universitas Pendidikan Nasional)
Made Srinitha Millinia Utami (Edith Cowan University)
Nyoman Sri Subawa (Universitas Pendidikan Nasional)
Nyoman Sridiva Dian Prabarini (Saxion University of Applied Sciences)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study aims to critically analyze how political communication practices carried out by the General Election Commission (KPU), regional head candidates, and the mass media contribute to fulfilling the public's right to electoral information in the context of local democracy in Bali. Using a qualitative approach with an exploratory case study design, this study combines data from in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and digital content analysis to examine the relationship between transparency, political communication, and public participation in the 2024 Bali Regional Elections. The results show that the Bali KPU has made efforts to fulfill the principle of the right to information through the provision of digital channels, the publication of electoral data, and cooperation with local media. However, the communication patterns that have been established are still one-way and lack deliberation. Meanwhile, candidates' political communication strategies are dominated by image-based and symbolic politics approaches that emphasize image and emotional slogans over policy program substance, creating information asymmetry between candidates and voters. Local media and digital spaces also do not fully serve as vehicles for political education, but rather as arenas for electoral promotion. This study confirms the gap between formal and substantive transparency in local political communication practices. Therefore, the fulfillment of the public's right to electoral information needs to be realized through more educational, participatory, and interactive political communication. This study contributes to the development of academic discourse on information politics and public accountability and provides practical implications for strengthening transparent and integrity-based local democracy

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

politicon

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

POLITICON is a multi-disciplined journal focused on the study of political science, governance issues and public policy in and on Indonesia and Asia. The journal publishes theoretical and empirical research articles with an aim to promote and disseminate academic atmosphere in and on the region. The ...