Alternative Media in Indonesia: Exploring the Influence of Religion and Identity

Alternative media and religion potentially bring new perspectives to intractable problems, from intolerance to violence. This in-depth research explores the influence of religion and identity on alternative media, which could serve as forces for media sustainability and mobilisation toward change. The research draws upon the works of Downing and Rodriguez on alternative media, Durkheim’s theory of religion and social bonds, Sen’s notion of the exclusivity of a single identity, and the works of both Steele and George on religion and media in Indonesia. The thesis outlines key ideas and concepts to explore religion-based alternative media with specific people (media practitioners), places (the Greater Jakarta, Indonesia), and practices (production process). Case studies offer an effective way to examine the uniqueness of the Buddhist online press, a Catholic magazine, and an Islamic radio in Indonesia. Data for this study was retrospectively collected from interviews, diaries (written form and What’s App form), observations and field notes. A question raised by George served as the motivation to answer why Indonesian alternative media cannot perform a role in tackling intolerance. The current results indicate that Sen’s ‘exclusivity of single identity’ emerges when media practitioners express their intention not to hire a new member with a non-similar religious identity. Moreover, these results differ from Pajnik and Downing’s statement of the outcome of religion in a media project, which tends to accelerate brutal theocracy. As religion-based alternative media do not neatly fit into any existing category, a new category, a sub-section under alternative media, is proposed by this study. These media have religious core values and solid ideological intentions, which could be attributed to the survivability of media operations. From the perspective of key actors and domains in society, this study identifies an agenda of great significance and urgent immediate need. Investigating the actors’ perspectives on alternative media and religion in Indonesia has shown the complexity of reception among them. Collectively, the conclusion summarises how these media operate in one of the world’s most populous democratic countries and proposes research contributions to knowledge, recommendations for future studies, and ways in which the thesis can be put to practical use.