Jakarta – Pelita Harapan University Communicologist, Dr. Emrus Sihombing said that Indonesia adheres to democracy based on Pancasila values. It contains the word “civilized”, so that the democracy we recognize is civilized democracy.
“I saw a diction that emerged this weekend that was inappropriate. This is an example of democracy going too far, such as the diction ‘stupid bastard’. Of course, what was conveyed in diction was completely inappropriate,” said Emrus in a dialogue on one of the National TV stations, Wednesday (02/08/2023).
According to him, productive criticism and criticism wrapped in an agenda must be separated. He saw that Rocky Gerung’s track record in the digital world often expressed unproductive criticism of President Jokowi.
“From the point of view of communication science and other sciences, of course the message is very inappropriate, the application of science cannot be separated from the values that apply in society, in relations between people,” he explained.
Furthermore, this political observer assesses the dictions built by Rocky Gerung so far that he is superior and others are inferior, other people are lower than him.
Emrus also regretted that Rocky Gerung’s communication messages were uncivilized and dangerous in the context of education. Even though Rocky is someone with an educator profession.
“Rocky Gerung has to be careful because whatever is conveyed in a public space cannot be taken back and will be imprinted on the cognition map, so communication must be conveyed carefully,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Political Observer Fernando Emas also regretted Rocky Gerung’s statement, which allegedly insulted President Jokowi with inappropriate words.
“This statement has the potential to create conflict between Jokowi’s supporters and groups that support Jokowi’s statement,” said Fernando.
Moreover, added Fernando, Rocky Gerung’s statement was very demeaning and insulting to the dignity of the Head of State. If there is any omission by the police, it is very likely that there will be repeated insults by Rocky Gerung or other parties under the pretext of criticizing in the name of democracy.
“As educated people, they should uphold etiquette and ethics in criticizing anyone, including Jokowi, who is inherent as the Head of Government and as Head of State,” explained the Director of the Indonesian Political House.