Postmodernism as a New Paradigm in Journalism Studies
Dudi Iskandar
Universitas Budiluhur
Keywords: Journalism, Paradigm, Postmodern.
Abstract: The reality of journalism has changed dramatically. The rapid development of communication and
information technology is the main trigger. Communication and information technology is what causes the
reality of journalism to change very radically. Because of this, contemporary journalism is not possible from
an old perspective. The reality of journalism now requires a new perspective. This paper examines changes
in journalism reality and offers a new perspective on journalism. Through a qualitative approach, the
method of document analysis and literature study, this paper finds a new paradigm in looking at the reality
of contemporary journalism, namely the postmodernism paradigm. A new perspective that is critical of
modern journalism while offering an alternative view of the reality of contemporary journalism.
1. INTRODUCTION
The latest developments in the reality of life show
one thing. That now everything is plural. The
presence of communication and information
technology, precisely the internet, has changed
reality and views about reality (E.M. Griffin. 2003:
343-345). The internet has capabilities that have not
existed before to develop new forms of social
relations. The internet is truly a source of free
individuals and small groups, in an egalitarian world
in which individuals are not hindered by national,
class, gender or property boundaries (Tony Thwaites
et al. 2009: 330-331). The emergence of the concept
of hyperreality (hyperreality) by Jean Baudrillard
(1983), for example, is one of the strong indications
that there is a development of life in and or towards
another world beyond the actual reality (Yasraf
Amir Piliang, 2010), (Ari Heinonen, 1999) , (John
V. Pavlik, 2001). Current reality must be redefined
as something that is possible or reproduced; can be
simulated (Yasraf Amir Piliang, 2010).
Communication and information technology not
only provides surprising developments in the
physical world but also in the non-physical world. If
in the previous world, something that could not
be sensed became a mystery, now with technological
developments, everything could be sensed. This is
what Baudrillard called pataphysics. (Yasraf Amir
Piliang, 2010: xvi).
A very radical change, in reality, necessitates the
existence of a change in the way of viewing that is
completely different from the previous era. That the
reality of journalism that exists today can no longer
be figurated by the old paradigm, there must be a
change in seeing the reality of journalism that is
different from before. This is where journalism
requires a new paradigm in capturing reality
pluralism. Because the world of journalism after the
invention of the internet emphasizes one thing, that
there has been an ecstasy phenomenon of
communication (Yasraf Amir Piliang, 2011: 73).
Also, the media paradigm in the era of information
flooding is not the meaning, message and ideology
traffic, but the speed paradigm (Yasraf Amir Piliang,
2011: 136). The presence of online media, blogs,
and social media is evidence of a flood of
information that makes information blurred (Bill
Kovach and Tom Rosentiels, 2010). The media stops
being a reflection of reality. Media precisely
becomes reality itself. It is even more real than the
real reality (George Ritzer, 2014: 599).
With and before the internet, the practice and
reference of journalism have changed completely.
There is no more justice, objectivity, independence,
neutrality, and cover both sides. Everything is
subjective, interdependent, partial, and cover all
sides especially in political journalism)
76
Iskandar, D.
Postmodernism as a New Paradigm in Journalism Studies.
DOI: 10.5220/0008929600760082
In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on IT, Communication and Technology for Better Life (ICT4BL 2019), pages 76-82
ISBN: 978-989-758-429-9
Copyright
c
2020 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
2. RESEARCH METHODS
This paper begins by describing the development of
information and communication technology and the
reality of contemporary journalism. After that, it
shows various theories that underlie the need for a
new perspective on the study of journalism. Then
presents an offer in examining the reality of
contemporary journalism. Finally, discussing the
postmodern paradigm as an alternative in studying
contemporary journalism.
The approach used in this study is qualitative.
Data collection is through library research and
analysis of library data (documents) and critically
analyzing the phenomenon and reality of
contemporary journalism. Library research
(document analysis) is one way to extract data from
books, journals, and or sites according to the themes
discussed in this paper.
The use of the paradigm concept in this paper
refers to the Thomas Kuhn definitions (1962). This
concept was later developed by various experts so
that it had various definitions. However, the author
tends to use the paradigm in Kuhn's terminology
because it was he who first made the term in the
realm of philosophy of science.
In an effort to show the results of research on the
need for a new paradigm in the world of
contemporary journalism, the author explores the
reality of journalism as a whole. Then map
journalism in the perspective of the postmodern
paradigm.
3. LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1. Paradigm
Paradigm is a term found by physicist Thomas S.
Kuhn who was confused when doing research. Kuhn
at length described the term paradigm in his
magnum opus, The Structure of Saintific
Revolutions (1962).
Fritjof Capra (2001:15) captures Kuhn's version
of the paradigm as a constellation of results —
concepts, values, techniques, etc. that are shared by
the scientific community and used by the community
to define problems and solutions. valid solution.
According to Kuhn (Stanley J. Grenz, 2001: 89), the
paradigm is a social effort to create reality. Guba
(Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S. Lincoln, 2009:
123) argues, paradigm is a series of basic beliefs that
guide action. Paradigm is human construction. The
paradigm determines the worldview of researchers
as bricoleurs (Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S.
Lincoln. 2009: 2-3). The results of bricoleur are new
constructions (Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S.
Lincoln. 2009: 123)
In simple terms, the paradigm is built on certain
modes of thought and mode of inquiry which in turn
will produce certain modes of knowing as well. The
paradigm includes three elements: epistemology,
ontology, and methodology. This model is called
Immanuel Kant as a conceptual scheme; Karl Marx
called it ideology; Wittgenstein named it a language
game. (Kuntowijoyo. 1991: 327)
Some scientists cite several types of paradigms.
Among other things, positivistic, post-positivist,
constructivist, and critical (Denzin and Yvonna S.
Lincoln. 2009: 138-139).
Table 1: Dedy Nur Hidayat’s Version of Paradigm (Agus
Salim, 2006: 42)
Postivism dan
Post-positivism
Constructivism
Critical
Theory
Placing the
social sciences
as natural
sciences, namely
as an organized
method for
combining
"deductive logic"
with empirical
observers to
probabilistically
find or obtain
confirmation of
the law of cause
and effect that
can be used to
predict general
patterns of
certain social
phenomena.
View social
science as a
systematic analysis
of socially
meaningful action
through direct and
detailed
observation of
social behavior in
natural or natural
settings of daily
life in order to be
able to understand
and interpret how
social actors create
and
maintain/manage
their social world
Defining
social
science as a
process that
critically
tries to
uncover the
real structure
behind the
illusions of
false needs
that are
manifested
by the
material
world with
the aim of
helping to
shape social
awareness in
order to
improve and
change the
conditions of
their social
life
The positivism paradigm is rooted in the
tradition of modernism. Positivism postulates are
postulates of science in this genre are materialism,
causality, and anthropomorphism. Beyond these
three postulates, in the view of the first stream, this
is rejected. The calculation of the positivism is
measurable, seeing humans as passive beings that
can be measured quantitatively. The post-positivism
Postmodernism as a New Paradigm in Journalism Studies
77
paradigm, as the development of positivism is a
more advanced way of thinking, but it is still based
on postulates and measures of positivism.
The constructivism stems from the sociology of
knowledge Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann
(1979). This sociology of knowledge arose from
dissatisfaction with the approaches of the social
sciences, which still used the natural sciences
approach. For both, humans construct the world
themselves. Therefore, its size is not from other
people but from itself through dialectics with the
surrounding world in three concepts, namely,
externalization, objectivation, and internalization.
Critical paradigm as a correction to the
constructivist paradigm that ignores the hidden
purpose of reality. Although the starting point is the
same as the constructivist, that is, humans are active
and dynamic beings, but the critical paradigm aims
to uncover the interests and ideologies of reality.
This paradigm aims to build awareness to free
humans from irrational societies that the reality of
something is a formed reality that has interests,
ideology, and vasted interests.
Kuhn explained a new paradigm was present
when a crisis occurred from that knowledge. He
added that science in the "normal science" period
was dominated by a "paradigm." In the "crisis
period" rival paradigms emerged interrupting
"normal science" activities and thus creating a
"revolution." This revolution eventually resulted in a
new theory or paradigm, it is not a cumulative
addition to old knowledge, but rather as a substitute,
as a concept transformation and transformation of
how to view the world. The substitute paradigm,
according to Kuhn is a mixture of various elements,
including psychological and social facts.
According to Kuhn, there is no basis for pure
observation for the confirmation of scientific theory.
The choice of science for Kuhn is social/cultural
phenomena and scientific growth involving the
scientific community, their beliefs, practices, and
commitments, including the beliefs, practices and
commitments of cultural groups in that space and
time. More specifically, Kuhn defines the science
paradigm as a theoretical framework, which is used
by a scientific community as a "lens" that is shared,
with which they read, interpret, uncover and
understand nature (Mohammad Muslih. 2008).
3.2. Truth Relativity
The consequence of the emergence of plural reality
is that the value of truth changes. There is no single
truth, as envisioned by the positivism paradigm.
Truth becomes plural. Everything melts and flows to
various aspects of life (Jack Fuller. 2010: 98).
Multiple reality also necessitates the presence of
choices in various aspects. Different choices cannot
be justified as wrong. This is where the element of
human freedom finds its significance. That the
choice of reality and the truth obtained is something
given to humans. It cannot be forced and formatted
to be in one realm of reality and a certain map of
truth. Truth is completely human construction or
comes from social agreement. Truth is something
local and socio-cultural. It is not universal and
generally applies to all humans, all space and time.
Truth is more something that is made or human
construction than found by scientists (Akhyar Yusuf
Lubis. 2014: 225). There are only relative truths for
certain creatures or community groups (Stanley J.
Grenz, 2001: 147).
Truth in society can be photographed through
two angles, as something given and human
construction. Truth as something originating from
the beginning or from 'there' means referring to a
methodological awareness of objects, both material
and formal that exist. Availability of this truth
because the assumption of truth arises naturally.
That is, it refers to something that is certain.
The truth as construction is implemented through
language. Language is individual and is a social
agreement. Construction because we, with language,
call something an arbitrator or liking. Therefore, the
truth of construction is the truth of the convention.
Language construction or language relativity is what
will become curls to the modern or postmodern
world. It is this relativity of truth that is relevant we
use for current social theories. Construction is a
matter of journalism. Construction is through
language as the main variable.
Construction always takes sides (including
journalism). In it, there are goals that must be
achieved. In the context of political media and
communication media, language is constructed in
accordance with the wishes of stakeholders,
especially editors. By itself the variables that can be
explained are the interests of media editors in
constructing the mindset of the people.
In the postmodern world, truth relativity departs
from some of the underlying things. Namely anti-
fundationalism, ultra-subjectivity, and the
development of communication and information
technology.
Reality in journalism, for example, has now
changed very dramatically. The development of
communication and information technology has
changed the origin and pattern of journalism. The
ICT4BL 2019 - International Conference on IT, Communication and Technology for Better Life
78
news that originally originated from events is now
shifting and begins with networking and social
media. Events as the basis for news writing are no
longer in real reality but also in virtual reality. In
fact, in writing and film shows are not virtual reality
but hyperreality and physics.
Social media is now very hegemonic about the
source and origin of the news (Martin Hirst, 2011.
147-164). The intersection and cooperation between
journalism and the media and social networks have
many positive aspects. However, other aspects often
cause negative aspects, especially those related to
journalism ethics. Information and sources
originating from the two virtual reality makers are
considered to have replaced the real reality. The
presence of media and social networks is very much
needed by the world of journalism because
journalists cannot cover and discover all the events
that have occurred. Information from other parties is
important as origin and news sources. But taking
from virtual reality, hyperreality, and physics is
something new in the world of journalism,
especially with regard to verification of the facts.
Because verification of facts is at the heart of
journalism, said Bill Kovach and Tom Rosentiels
(2010).
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
With the presence of a reality that develops and
grows in extraordinary speed, the old scientific
paradigm can no longer accommodate the social
reality that changes at any time. It takes a paradigm
that can accommodate the growth and development
of realities that come and go very quickly. This is
where science needs a new paradigm.
If we follow the flow of the Kuhn paradigm
above, then scientifically, contemporary journalism
requires a new paradigm. Paradigms that are able to
accommodate the reality of journalism with a set of
completeness starting from the ontological,
epistemological foundation, are methodologically
including a set of ethics. These three foundations are
called scientific methodologies in the perspective of
modernists. Postmoderns go further. That scientific
knowledge is not only something of knowledge that
has gone through the stages of scientific
methodology as it is today, but also with other
stages. Postmodernists reject grandnaratives that
tend to be single and deny other approaches such as
religion, mysticism, literature, art and so on. In the
frame of postmodernism all views must be
recognized and have equal position without
exception (Jean-Francois Lyotard, 2004). For
postmodernism, knowledge is built or two
assumptions. First, all explanations about reality are
useful but not entirely objective. Second, we cannot
get out of the building of our own reality (Stanley J.
Grenz, 2001: 72). Postmodern shows an
epistemological or paradigmatic shift about the
nature of reality, truth, and social values (Wilson
Lowrey and Peter J. Gade (ed). 2011: 96).
Table 2: Difference between Media Paradigms
Dimensi of
Media
Positivism
Constructivism
Critical Theory
1
Reality
Reality as it is
Reality is human
construction
results
The reality is human
construction results
that have vasted-
interests
2
Truth
Absolute truth
Relative truth
Truth is determined
by partisanship
3
Media
Media as a
container of
reality
Media as agents
of reality
construction
edia as a definition
of reality
4
Value and
Ethics
Values and
ethics are
attached to the
media text
Value and ethics
are in the
interpreter
Value and ethics are
determined by
partiality
5
Journalist
Objective
Subjective
Ultra- Subjective
Postmodernism as a New Paradigm in Journalism Studies
79
Table 3: Methaphysics of Alternatif Paradigms
(Norman K. Denzin dan Yvonna S. Lincoln, 2009:135)
Dimensio
ns
Positivism
Post-positivism
Constructivism
Critical Theory
Postmodernis
m
Ontology
Naive-reality is
"real" but can
be understood
Critical realism
- reality is "real"
but can only be
understood
imperfectly by
probilistic
Locally and
specifically
constructed
realities of
reality
Virtual
historical-reality
realism that is
shaped by
social, political,
economic,
ethnic and
gender values;
crystallizes over
time
Historical
reality formed
by
communicatio
n and
information
technology
Epistemol
ogy
Dualism/objecti
vist; correct
findings
Critically
modified
dualism/
objectivist; the
findings may be
correct
Transactional /
subjectivist;
findings created
Transactional/
subjectivist;
value-mediated
findings
Transactional
/ subjectivist;
technology-
chained
findings
Methodol
ogy
Experimentalist
/ manipulative;
verification of
the hypothesis;
especially
quantitative
methods
Modified
experimental /
manipulative;
critical
diversity;
falsification of
hypothesis; it
may include
qualitative
methods
Hermeneutical /
dialectical
Dialogical /
dialectical
Hermeneutical
/ dialectical /
semiotic
Postmodern encompasses new historical periods,
new cultural products, and new types of theoretical
arrangements in social life (Ritzer, George. 2014:
587). Postmodern concepts and theories are now
being accepted and become new paradigms in
understanding and explaining socio-cultural
phenomena (Akhyar Yusuf Lubis, 2014: x).
Many people view postmodern as part of a
critical paradigm. In this perspective postmodern
social theories are born of the critical paradigm
(Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S. Lincoln. 2009:
124). However, researchers differ from the above
view. True, critical, and postmodern in some points
meet and complement each other, but also both are
different and separate in other matters. One reason
researchers’ separate postmodernism from the
critical paradigm is that postmodern has different
realities and characters from the critical paradigm.
Table 4: Difference between Critical and Postmodern
Paradigm
Critical Theory
Element
Postmodern
Paradigm
Frankfurt School
with figures like
Theodor W.
Adorno, Max
Horkheimer,
Juergen
Habermas etc
History
Friedrich Nietzche's
criticism to
modernism was
continued by
Martin Heidegger,
Michel Foucault,
Jean Francois,
Lyotard, Richard
Rorty, Jean
Baudrillard
Criticism of
hidden agenda /
vasted-interests
(social,
economic,
political etc.)
Backround
Development of
communication and
information
technology
Reflective-
emancipatory
Objektive
Resistance to the
modern paradigm
Unequal social
reality/ social
injustice
Focus
Text, hyperreality,
and pataphysics.
ICT4BL 2019 - International Conference on IT, Communication and Technology for Better Life
80
Table 5: Equation of the Critical and Postmodern
Paradigm
Critical Theory
Element
Postmodern
Paradigm
Ultra-subjective
Perspective
Ultra-subjective
Critique to
modernism
Methods
Critique to
modernism
Respect and
promote
pluralism
Vision
Respect and
promote pluralism
Postmodernism is a revolution against our
understanding of knowledge and science (Stanley J.
Grenz. 2001: 68). Postmodernism is a contemporary
movement. This movement is strong and
fashionable. However, it is not clear what this
movement is. It is not only difficult to practice it, it
is even difficult to refuse it (Akhyar Yusuf Lubis,
2014: 24). Postmodernism is a cultural change, from
lifestyle to change of mind as a result of the
development of communication and information
technology. The modern paradigm is not sufficient
enough to capture the developing reality and culture.
The main originator of postmodernism is the
information age. Computers are introductory
symbols of the changing narrative of industrial
societies to information societies (Stanley J. Grenz
2001: 33).
According to Yasraf Amir Piliang (2011: 204)
postmodernism is a cultural movement in general
tends towards the direction of appreciation for
diversity, plurality, abundance, and fragmentation by
accepting contradictions, banality, and irony in it.
Dominic Strinati (2007: 255) undermines the
polemic of postmodernism by stating that the debate
about postmodernism dwells more on the theory of
postmodernism than recognition as an empirical
reality.
5. CONCLUSION
The development of communication and information
technology, especially the internet, has changed the
various forms and ethics of journalism. The internet
also causes the reality of events as the basic
ingredients of journalism to be very plural. The
increasingly complex reality requires elements,
principles, reality, and journalistic ethics to be
blurred and runny. When reality is no longer
singular, ethics can no longer stand perfectly, and
then the logical consequence is no single truth or
emergence of plural truths. Each has and defines its
own reality, truth, and journalistic ethics. This is
what is called a journalistic anomaly in the
perspective of modernism journalism which
provides unity, equality, and uniformity. Anomalies
in science then give birth to a crisis so that it
requires a new paradigm in looking at reality
included in journalism. This is what researchers call
the postmodern paradigm. An alternative paradigm
or continuation or also can be seen as a substitute
paradigm in looking at the reality of contemporary
journalism.
REFERENCES
Baudrillard, Jean. 1983. Simulation, Semiotext (e), New
York
Berger, Peter L. Dan Thomas Luckmann. 1979. The
Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in The
Sociology of Knowledge. Meddlesex: Menguin
Books.
Capra, Fritjof. 2001. Jaring-Jaring Kehidupan; Visi Baru
Epitemologi Kehidupan. Translator Saut Pasaribu.
Yogyakarta: Fajar Pustaka Baru.
Fuller, Jack. 2010. What is Happening to News. Chicago.
Chicago Press
Grenz, Stanley J. 2001. A Primer on Postmodernism.
Translator Wilson Suwanto Yogyakarta. Yayasan
ANDI
Griffin, EM. 2012. A First Look at Communication
Theory. Eight Edition. New York. Mc. Graw Hill.
Heinonen, Ari. 1999. Journalism in the Age of Net
Changing Society, Changing Profesion. Finland.
University of Tempere.
Hirst, Martin. 2011. News 2.0; Can Journalism Survive the
Internet? Australia. Allen and Unwin
Kovach, Bill and Tom Rosenstiel. 2007. The Elements of
Journalism. New York, Amerika Serikat: Three
Rivers Press.
----------------------------------------- 2010. Blur: Bagaimana
Mengetahui Kebenaran di Era Banjir Informasi.
Translator Imam Shofwan dan Arif Gunawan
Sulistiyono. Jakarta. Dewan Pers
Kuhn, Thomas. 1962. The Structure of Saintific
Revolutions. USA: Universitas of Chicago Press.
Kuntowijoyo. 1991. Paradigma Islam. Bandung: Mizan
Lowrey, Wilson and Peter J. Gade (ed). 2011. Changing
The News; The Forces Shaping Journalism in
Uncertain Times. London. Routledge.
Lubis, Akhyar Yusuf. 2014. Teori dan Metodologi Ilmu
Pengetahuan Sosial Budaya Kontemporer. Jakarta:
Rajagrafindo Persada.
------------------------- 2014. Postmodernisme; Teori dan
Metode. Jakarta: Rajagrafindo Persada.
Lyotard, Jean-Francois. 1984. Postmodernisme: Krisis dan
Masa Depan Pengetahuan. Translator Kamaludin.
Bandung. Mizan
Muslih, Mohammad. 2008. Filsafat Ilmu Kajian atas
Asumsi Dasar, Paradigma, dan Kerangka Teori Ilmu
Pengetahuan. Yogyakarta. Belukar
Postmodernism as a New Paradigm in Journalism Studies
81
Pavlik, John V. 2001. Journalism and New Media. New
York. Columbia University Press.
Piliang, Yasraf Amir, 2010. Post-realitas; Realitas
Kebudayaan dalam Era Post-metafisika. Yogyakarta.
Jalasutra. Thrid Edition
------------------------- 2011. Dunia yang Dilipat. Bandung.
Matahari. Firts Edition
Ritzer, George. 2014 Teori Sosiologi Modern. Translator
Triwibowo B.S. Jakarta. Prenadamedia Group
Salim, Agus. 2006. Teori dan Paradigma Penelitian Sosial.
Yogyakarta. Tiara Wacana
Strinati, Dominic. 2007. Popular Culture: Pengantar
Menuju Teori Budaya Populer. Translator Abdul
Mukhid. Yogyakarta. Bentang Pustaka
Thwaites, Tony dkk. 2009. Introducing Cultural and
Media Studies. Translator Saleh Permana. Yogyakarta.
Jalasutra
ICT4BL 2019 - International Conference on IT, Communication and Technology for Better Life
82