The Diction of “Bastard-Stupid”, Communicologist Emrus Sihombing: An Example of Democracy Going Too Far

Pelita Harapan University Communicologist, Dr Emrus Sihombing said that every country must have a democratic system, and Indonesia is one of the countries that adheres to a democratic system based on Pancasila values.

He stated this on a national television station entitled “Maintaining Ethical Democracy” on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

He said that Indonesian democracy must be based on Pancasila in which there are “civilized” values ​​so that Indonesian democracy must be civilized.

“Of course we adhere to democracy, but not liberally, but based on Pancasila values. It contains the word civilized, so the democracy that we recognize is civilized democracy,” he said through an official statement, Wednesday (02/08/2023).

Recently, the diction “stupid asshole” has emerged in the form of criticism. Dr. Emrus said that the diction was inappropriate and unethical if it was based on Pancasila values. He considered this diction to be incompatible with the democracy implemented in Indonesia.

”I saw that there was 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 not at all appropriate,” he said.

Dr. Emrus said, dictions that are expressed to criticize must have a productive meaning, not even bring down. According to him, the criticism leveled must be based on the ethical values ​​prevailing in society.

“We have to separate productive criticism from criticism wrapped in an agenda,” he said.

“In my opinion, 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 continued.

Regarding Rocky Gerung’s statement that criticized the president with the diction of “stupid bastard”, Dr. Emrus said that he often expressed unproductive criticism of President Jokowi.

In addition, he explained, the criticism that was leveled was a form of humiliation and condescension. Not only humiliating the president but also demeaning the community.

“In my view, I think that is looking down on other people. Not only President Jokowi, but he also demeans his viewers and demeans himself. Whereas in communication we should have an egalitarian position and there is equality,” he explained.