THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN ERADICATING CORRUPTION

So far, Indonesia has never been able to escape from the entanglement of corruption. This fact requires all elements of the nation to participate actively in combating this social scourge. Given that Indonesia is a democratic state, where the people are the holder of supreme power, the people have an important role in uncovering and combating the problem of corruption. One of the role and participation of the public is through the media. The reason is because the mass media can reach all levels of society. The mass media is a strategic tool that is able to sniff out and dismantle the rotten practices that start emerging or still veiled . The fact proves that in various places in Indonesia and abroad, corruption is always associated with the mass media.


I. INTRODUCTION
History shows that corrupt practices in Indonesia have taken place since the founding of this country or even in the early physical revolutionary period. According to Ajip Rosidi, it   how is the role of mass media? The question will be described in the content of this paper.

II. FORMULATION OF THE PROBLEM
Before discussing the matter further, the writer firstly would like to review the definition of corruption and to narrow the definition based on the context and purpose of writing this paper (wide and narrow definition of corruption).
From the narrow definition of corruption, the writer emphasizes the impacts of corruption, especially on the wider community.
Seeing the large impact of corruption, the public should not keep silent. The public must play a role. Given that mass media is inseparable from the public (community) which can reach and is accessible to the public (all layers of society), it is the reason why media must have a role. To carry out this role, the media must be free and independent. The freedom and independence of the media can be seen through the news in sounding the truth and bad bureaucracy, as well as the institutions involved in corruption cases.  Information is power. The greater the number of people who have information, the more extensive the power sharing. Chance of getting information is a fundamental factor for the integrity of a state's systems. Without the opportunity, the democratic institutions will not run properly, and the citizens cannot exercise their expected rights and they do not even know that their rights have been violated.

A. Definition of corruption
The primary tool for presenting information to the people is independent and free media. 14 It cannot be denied that the role of mass media is extremely needed. Free and independent press is a public authority and power that should be free from the political influence, or free press. Mass media is present as a counter-power that is not only giving news but also fighting against and dismantling corruption.

D. Independent mass media
Karaniya Dharmasaputra in her paper

E. Mass Media Should be Free
Free mass media is as important as an independent judiciary, as a twin power rivaling and suing corrupt practices. 18  greatly affects the freedom of the mass media.
In this case, the ownership of media means if the media concerned is owned by corrupt government, so the media will no longer free in presenting the news and in dismantling corruption that is ensnaring the government.
Such cases are called power infidelity.
The level of freedom of the mass media can be measured through the achievement in carrying out its function as a public force in conducting effective supervision of the daily government's behavior. In such cases, journalists must be free of scandal or bad practices such as bribery.

IV. CONCLUSION
Related to the issue of social life, in which the nation is increasingly entangled by corruption cases, it requires all elements of the nation to play their role in eradicating this social scourge. One of the subjects of this task is the community. The community can play an active role through media, considering that mass media serves as a means as well as a container for sharing. It cannot be denied that the role of the media is extremely needed. Free and independent press is a public power that should be free from political influence. Free press is a counter-power that does not only present the news but also fight against and dismantle corruption.
In this case, mass media is required to be bold and free without being influenced by corrupt rulers (government). The people, as the key actors, are also required to actively participate in media. The participation of the people can be in simple way that is by reporting cases of corruption and following the development of the corruption news by reading, watching and listening to the news broadcasted by the media.