Television and Women Politicians

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Television and Women Politicians:

Representation Studies, Assessment of Women and the idea of Representation of Women in Parliament in 2009 legislative elections

In Television

DR. Widodo Muktiyo [1]

Keyword: television, representation, women Politician, 2009 legislative election.

Television is one of the mass media and the role that has so much in the context of the 2009 legislative elections in Indonesia. Even Burton (2007: 7) reveals that television is able to shape how we think about the world. As one form of mass media television, what television would appear to consider the so-called news value. Such as the proximity (closeness), relevance (relevance), rarity or negativity (negativity), and the significance of events (significance) of the reported events, for example, is usually the basis for consideration of the news (McQuail, 1997: 270-271).

As we all know, the issue of women representation in parliament (the DPR, DPD, the DPRD I and DPRD II) is an issue considered by many as an increasingly serious problem. Public discussion on this matter seems also increasingly prevalent in both public forums and in the mass media including television. It thus seems more because so much effort to put 30% of women candidates in parliamentary seats has not been fruitless. Various obstacles seem to appear as real as the public culture such that at least to some degree still do not really support the idea of the importance of women engaged in politics and then also the low interest among women themselves to become politicians. This trend seems to continue until the period of the 2009 legislative elections.

Meanwhile, other issues such as how to proclaim an event and what the substance of issues highlighted in the news related to the events reported is also an important issue in the news. This issue is more commonly known as a news angle or issue that is also called with the news frame which is actually a media construction of reality (Entman, 1993; Scheufele, 1999). Media construction of reality, of course, also includes the reality of female politicians, may appear in the form of giving emphasis to certain aspects of events or issues in the news, and also in packaging variety talk show, and advertising.

In the period 2009 legislative elections in Indonesia women politicians (the legislative elections, the leaders and functionaries of political parties) are displayed in the media but it seems the effort to say this performance gain is still relatively less emphasis in the media, especially television. Various news and talk show television variety show, for example, often does bring up the figure of women politicians, especially in the campaign period. But in reality both in news and television talk show figures of politicians from men more often or more displayed.Thus it certainly raises questions about how and why.

Meanwhile most of the public, including the public in Surakarta, look at how the trends in television shows or represent women politicians, women who pursue the world of politics, with a legislative candidate, incumbent legislator or political party functionaries.

From here and can show up the views or certain judgments about the subject and also about the role of television in promoting the idea of women's representation in parliament. Can be clearly understood that some of the public referred to in Surakarta is also among women. Among women in Surakarta as part of the public citizens also watch television, watch the news and talk show impressions during the campaign period, with a diverse intentitas. Women among the public is finally also have a view or a variety of assessments is also good on the presence of women in parliament as well as assessment of the role of mass media, especially television in favor of the idea of representation of women in representative institutions, especially the people or parliament DPR, DPD, level I, and DPRD II.

Referring to the context of this study some important concepts in media studies, especially regarding the representation of such stereotypes (assumptions, views, or impressions (images) that are growing stronger in a society that generally negative about the group / specific community within the community) and anihilation (tendency of an object or a rare or waiver of certain realities in the media so that the object or the reality in question (eg a particular community) are very rare or perhaps even no (can not be found) in / through the mass media) (See, Tuchman, 1987;Perkins (1979) in Jones and Jones, 1999:105).

Branston and Staffors (1996), for example, as cited by Jones and Jones (1999:104) reveals that the process involves the representation of aspects of a political issue in the media construct reality is therefore more likely to be ideological. In fact, several studies such as those conducted by Richardson (2001), Alvarado et. al (1987), and Meehan (1983) showed this trend (Jones and Jones, 1999).

Given these things, this study gives an overview of how the trend of the representation of female politicians on television as well as assessment / view of the audience (the presence of women in politics, mass media, especially television role in encouraging / promoting the idea of women's representation in parliament), and the correlation between socio-demographic variables (particularly age and education level) with the assessment of the presence of women in politics.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study is descriptive (describing symptoms) by the method of analysis of media (media analysis) and the survey. Researchers conducted a tracing of the representation of female politicians on TV and the assessment / view audience (the presence of women in politics, mass media, especially television role in encouraging / promoting the idea of women's representation in parliament), and the correlation between socio-demographic variables (especially age and leveleducation) with the assessment of the presence of women in politics.

Research by the method of analysis is done by looking at a variety of media coverage and talk show television show in Indonesia. Then take notes and analysis both on the content or the content of messages and how messages conveyed (Pawito, 2007). In this connection the observations were made mainly on the period of the 2009 legislative election campaign rallies that took place March 6 to 5 April 2009.

While the methods of the survey conducted on 80 selected respondents incidentally in Surakarta, especially in the Village Gajahan Kliwon Market District. This amount is taken to examine at least in part as a sample population that is at least to some degree representative of the population (Watt and van den Berg, 1995: 352; Babbie, 1979: 316).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Based on the analysis of media and departed from the existing data we can conclude that there is a general trend of political representation of women on television that showed that television news is not / less extensive display of women politicians in the 2009 legislative elections.

Thus annihilation tendency can be seen for example by the fact that television news regarding the 2009 elections legisaltif is dominated by male politicians and male politicians are rarely raised. It thus seems to be caused partly by the number of female politicians because it is much smaller in number than the number of male politicians, and the activities of female politicians who could appear on television because it is also much smaller in number.

Starting from this fact it can be said that in the context of political life, particularly with regard to the 2009 legislative elections in Indonesia, the findings of Tuchman (1978) about the trend is very close the gap between the appearance of men with women in television, particularly in the context of this study was emergence of male politicians and women in politics in television news, it appears that obtaining justification.

However, this does not mean that television news broadcast that never has an element of female politicians. Female candidates of celebrities caught up, for example, though not too often, in television news. Occurrences at a glance (about 30 seconds) on the television screen, especially when accompanied by a narrative of the campaign news anchor, as it marks the appearance of imperfections annihilation of women politicians on television. Occurrences Meutia Farida Hatta Swasono (Chairman of the Justice and Unity Party of Indonesia / PKPI) on various television news, for example, also the appearance of Rieke Dyah Pitaloka (candidates for the House of Representatives of the PDIP), Nurul Arifin (legisltif candidate for the House of Representatives of the Golkar party), and Yasmin Muntaz (candidates for the House of Representatives of the National Mandate Party / PAN) can be presented as an example. Interesting thing that seems to be an exception is kerapnya Megawati Sukarnoputri as well Puan Maharani amplified by television.

Later the same trend that the appearance of female politicians on television in a variety talk show mengamplifikasi figures more well-known celebrities in the community (a popular figure in the community). For example, it can be seen on Global TV Friday March 27, 2009 edition at 20.00, on a talk show that is labeled Stage featuring the Democratic candidates from among the celebrities in which no women candidates in the House of Representatives Raslina Rasiddin (legislative candidate from the National Mandate Party / PAN) and Oky Asokawati (legislative candidate from the United Development Party / PPP). In addition they are both present as well in this event Tengku Firmansyah (male candidates of the National Awakening Party / PKB).

Or example, shows an interesting television talk show for next analyzed the talk show broadcast by TVRI Tuesday, March 24, 2009 primetime. This event is direct (live) and interactive - in the studio audience and viewers at home can ask a question or comment. The event, named Pro Political Party (Political Profiles) in this issue explore the topic of Women in Politics. PPP typical musical interlude inserted to show the variations and reduce boredom. Candidates that were presented at this event were all women candidates for the House of Representatives of the United Development Party (PPP), which Dr. Reni Marlinawati No Caleg PPP. 1 Dapil jabar IV, Dr. Wk Nurkholisoh DPP Secretary General PPP, and Hj. Ruth Sanggarwati, SE No. Caleg PPP. 1 Dapil Java I.

But presumably it can be said that aired the show is intended to improve the image of the PPP and the role that gives confidence to women when PPP is widely known as mass-based political party of Islam.

In the context of media analysis can be said that women are represented as figures of politicians with the confidence to strive for the advancement of the nation and also at the same time fighting for equal rights with men in the political arena, although still has a tendency, as more mengamplifikasi kecenderuan female politicians from the artist / celebrity.

Further research findings through the survey results can be described in terms of (1) assessment of the presence of women in politics, the majority of respondents (60%) had a vision / judgment that the presence of women in institutions or people's representative institution of parliament (a member of Parliament, DPD, the DPRD I and D II DPR) is a necessity / inevitability when viewed from the general interest of nation building / area. This strengthening memdapat majority (87.5%) where respondents stated that being a female politician sitting in a chair with people's representative institutions are not accusatory nature of women.

(2) the role of television in mengamplifikasi idea of women's representation, that the respondents are relatively (by a margin of a thin figure) has the view that television has a significant role in supporting or promoting the idea the idea of women's representation in parliament. It thus can be seen by the fact that there are 30 numbers of 80 respondents (37.5%) who have that view compared with 28 people (30%) of respondents who felt uncertain, and the remaining 22 (27.5%) hadotherwise assessment (television not / has not significantly support or promote the idea of women's representation in parliament. Then, as the findings of the analysis of media, most respondents in survey research (40%) doubted that television represents women politicians adequately.

(3) correlation of socio-demographic variables with the assessment of the presence of women in politics (which in terms of age and education). Respondents were relatively young age (17-40 years) tend to have a judgment that the presence of women in real people's representative institutions is a must when seen from the interests of nation building in general. There are 30 people (out of 52 people; 57.7%) having such judgments. However, most respondents are relatively old age (41 years or more) are also likely to have the same assessment. This is evident in the fact that 18 of 28 people (64.3%) have such judgments. The same was found when judging the security aspirations of women's rights, most respondents are relatively young age (22 of 52 people (42.3%, n = 52) tends to a positive outlook on women's presence in people's representative institutions can better ensure compliance with aspirations and rights of women. Likewise a similar trend is also present in relatively old aged respondents. There are 16 of 28 people (57.1%) of respondents have a relatively old age of such assessments. So it can be said variable relative age did not correlate with assessment. Moreover, both the male respondents and women are equally likely to have a judgment that the presence of women in representative institutions of the people is a necessity and importance to guarantee the representation of the aspirations of the rights of women in parliament.

However, one sees an interesting finding when viewed from the correlation with education assessment in which most of the less educated respondents (9 of 13 people, 69.2%) had a judgment that the presence of women in parliament (people's representative institutions) is a must see from the interests of development nation.Later the same trend also occurred in medium-educated respondents. There are 29 of 47 people (61.7%) middle-educated respondents have a view like that.Furthermore the respondents with high education (Diploma or Degree level) is divided into two groups of the same assessment of the amount that each of the 10 people (50%, n = 20) for respondents who have judgment and should not be.

Similarly, assessment of the trend decline in the representation of the aspirations of security guarantees the rights of women in parliament is seen from the correlation of education. Where most of the less educated respondents (8 of 13 people, 61.5%) had a judgment that the presence of women in representative institutions of the people can better ensure the fulfillment of the aspirations and rights of women.Then, too many middle-educated respondents (22 of 47 people, 46.8%) also tend to have similar views. Later in the college-educated respondents are 8 of 20 people (40%) who had a similar assessment. The trend decline in the percentage of 61.5% and then decreased to 46.8% and finally decreased again to 40% on the assessment does not / is not necessarily of less educated respondents and then moves to a higher level of education.

If the observed kecedenderungan consistent decline in the percentage of low to higher education related to the assessment that the presence of women in parliamentary institutions is a must, ie from 69.2% to 61.7% and then finally to 50% and also decreased from the guarantee the representation of the aspirations of assessment of women's rights in the parliament of 61.5% and 46.8% and finally to 40% would be interpreted that the factor or variable levels of education seem to have a correlation with penialian or the view that the presence of women in representative institutions of the people will can better ensure the fulfillment of the aspirations and rights of women. In this connection it seems a tendency that respondents with lower education levels tend to view positively to such a judgment while the respondent is a higher level of education seem more skeptical / critical.

CONCLUSION

Television in the present representation of female politicians is characterized by several things, namely annihilation (less tendency / rare) female politicians in the news (except Megawati Sukarnoputri and Puan Maharani). Furthermore it can be said that the representation of female politicians on television more often found in a variety talk show. However, the representation of female politicians over female politicians dominated by artists and celebrities such as former Oky Asokawati (former model and sitcom actress, PPP), Ruth Sanggarwati (a former model, PPP), Nurul Arifin (former film, Golkar) and Rieke Dyah Pitaloka ( sitcom actress, PDIP).

The findings were further amplified by the results of research conducted a survey in which respondents (women voters) generally do not believe the mass media, especially television role in helping to support the idea of women's representation (quota 30%) in parliament. A total of 28 people (35%) of respondents said that free and 22 (27.5%) others say television does not help to support the idea of women's representation in parliament and only 30 people (37.5%) of respondents who have a judgment that television has helped support the idea them.

In terms of socio-demographic variables correlations, it can be concluded that the relative age variables did not correlate with the assessment. Where both the male respondents and women are equally likely to have a judgment that the presence of women in representative institutions of the people is a necessity and importance to guarantee the representation of the aspirations of the rights of women in parliament. However, the results are inversely proportional if the judging of educational variables with the known higher education will affect the level of assessment.

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