International Conference on Social and Political Sciences (ICSPS)

Last Monday and Tuesday (25th until 26th February 2013), Faculty of Social and Political Science of Universitas Pelita Harapan held ‘2013 International Conference on Social and Political Science (ICSPS). Taken as the big theme of this conference was an issue regarding Media and Globalization, seen from utopian and dystopian view. The 2013 International Conference on Social and Political Sciences (ICSPS)’ aims to bring together communication and globalization scholars and practitioners from around the world to reflect, debate, and contribute elements of analysis of the state of media today in regards to globalization.

The conference began at 8 am, with remarks by Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Science UPH, Prof Dr. Aleksius Jemadu, then continued by the keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Kai Hafez, Chair for International and Comparative Communication Studies, University of Erfurt, Germany.

Prof Dr. Kai Hafez gave the explanation between the difference of utopian and dystopian view. Where utopian seen communication has now become borderless because of globalization and brought by the media, while the dystopian view in more pessimistic, where western dominates and spread the idea of society and cause intellectual colonialism because of globalization in media.

The conference continued with a panel discussion by Prof Dr. Drs. Tjipta Lesmana, M.A., MARS, Prof Dr. Kai Hafez; Christovita Wiloto, Prof Aleksius Jemadu, Ph.D, and , the panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Phil. Deborah N. Simorangkir, B.A., M.S, the Head Department of Communication.

Effects of Internet of the survival of Print Media: Indonesia Case

The title above is a topic that was delivered by Prof. Dr. Drs. Tjipta Lesmana, M.A., MARS, UPH Communication Lecturer and Head of Communication Study Program on UPH Postgraduate Campus. He was optimistic towards printed media existence in Indonesia, eventhough online media keep showing its power.

?In Indonesia, Printed Media Still Potential. Some editors of major printed media in Indonesia still exist eventhough it?s facing big suppression from online media. Print media need to do some changes in content and editorial policy. The editorial news in print media need to be deeper, give wider background and perspectives to readers, which is not cover in online media,” he said.

“Eventhough online media challenge is very powerful, but it cannot wipe print media. In Indonesia, print media still standing, and very beneficial, both in big and small city. This relates with history of media in Indonesia which is very differ in comparing with developed countries, such as America, Australia, and other developed countries,” said Prof. Tjipta.

PR in a globalized world

Next speaker, Christovita Wiloto, the author of Power PR, revealed about new media power in spreading news globally and abilities to produce global effects.

That?s why, according to Christovita, social media becomes an important tool for PR in the globalization era. Social media has a global effect, and used not only to spread news, but can be used to increase your brand value, and even for black campaign. But, the beauty of social media is we can make balance of information by giving facts and integrity, to get global public trust.

?Globalization without a moral point of reference, what will it be??

The title above was a topic brought by Prof. Dr. Aleksius Jemadu, Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Science UPH, as the last speaker in the panel discussion. Talking about the globalization of media morality and integrity, he mentioned five dimensions of globalization, as stated by Jan Art Scholte, namely: internationalization, liberalization, universalization, modernization and de–territorialization.

He added that no political party that is clean from corruption. Brought from a phenomenon that already happened, Aleksius stated that political and economical change cannot change society?s behavior, and changes can only begin from each individual.

He closed his presentation with C.S Lewis statements about three morality elements: justice, harmony between individuals, and recognize the purpose of human creation. Because of that, he is optimistic in Christian perspectives that emphasize the importance of heart renewal to contribute to society?s improvement.

After all the one-on-one presentation by all panelists about their perspectives on media and globalization, this panel discussion end with the conclusion that due to globalization, media has borderless access to affects people, through entertainment, images and music cross national borders, started from Hollywood film and music as the DNA of global communication, and even social media can be used for black campaign and not only to interact with friends and peers. In the end, morality issue that may affect by globalization depends on every individual, whether to absorb every information from media in raw or produce it and pick the right information based on moral ethics.

The panel discussion ended with a question and answer session from audiences and lunch break on 12pm. After that, the conference continued with presentations from call for paper participants in Building F room 1007 from 1 pm until 4 pm. (rh/cb)