THE ANTI CLIMAX OF THE HUMANITARIAN ACTIVIST (A CASE STUDY TOWARDS HOAX DISTRIBUTION IN FORMING PUBLIC OPINION)

Abstract

The ease of spreading information by using social media nowadays is one of people’s daily activities in the societies. Up dates from every information could get anytime and every time trough social media. In the beginning of October 2018, there was tragic news about the famous humanitarian activist in Indonesia. It was tell that she was being punched in Husein Sastranegara Airport. It was strengthen by the fact that shows her face full with scar in the photograph. The photograph is easily spread in the social media. But after several days the activist said that the fact is never exist. The news about her is not true.

The aim of this study is to construct the seven point from the impression management theory there are; conformity, excuse, apologies, self-promotion, flattery, favors and association. And also to find the process of the public opinion constructed.

Research method that used in this research is qualitative method by using constructivist paradigm with interpretive technique. Collecting the data was done by observation. Validity of the result was done by triangulation and discussion.

The results of the study are; (1) Conformity was done by the activist by admitting the persecution towards her. (2) Excuse was done by the activist by saying that there wasn’t any goal to spreading the hoax. (3) Apologies were done by the activist by asking for apology in press conference. (4) Self Promotion was done by the activist by admitting her fault. (5) Flattery was done by the activist by giving flattery statement to her supporter. (6) Favors that done by the activist was giving the bad image of herself. (7) Association that done by the activist is keeping the good image of her supporter. While the public opinion constructed are (1) the persecution issue about the famous humanitarian activist. (2) Double standard was constructed by the society point of view and in social media. (3) The existing of opinion leader that make the hoax is true. (4) Getting the press attention

Suggestions for the further research can be focused on front stage and back stage that play by the humanitarian activist by using dramaturgy theory.