On Thursday, November 9, 2023, the Graduate Program in Communication at the University of Indonesia held a guest lecture and sharing session on the subject of Crisis Communication Management. Hadi Saba Ayon, PhD, a researcher at the Information and Communication Science department at the University of Le Havre Normandy, France, was the guest speaker. The lecture was moderated by the course instructor, Prof. Dr. Dorien Kartikawangi, M.Si.
The topic of the lecture and sharing session was “The Internet as a Crisis Communication Case.” The discussion began with Hadi Saba Ayon asking the students, “What are the benefits of the internet? What are the benefits?” Some students answered that the internet is beneficial and can make life easier. However, behind all the benefits enjoyed by internet users, the internet can also be a problem, a disaster, and a crisis. The spread of too much information, the lack of privacy, the absence of gatekeepers that allow users to watch content that is not appropriate for their age, and so on, were the negative impacts of the internet that emerged from the students’ discussion. Hadi Saba Ayon shared the experience of his child who became addicted to online games on the internet, so much so that he spent most of his time playing online games.
All of the negative impacts felt by internet users are the reason why the internet is a crisis. Initially, the internet was created from a network that was formed to connect two computers, and then connected people with people from all over the world by using algorithms that are not physically visible. Algorithms can be said to be a new entity in human life that produces a network or connection that is said to be the internet. All of these things were created with the original purpose of improving and simplifying human life.
However, with the development of technology, Hadi Saba Ayon said that the internet is a crisis because it is currently being monopolized by global companies or organizations that are looking for one-sided profits. “The internet is no longer in line with its original purpose, internet politics often occurs where internet users are used as a market for the economy of global organizations,” he said. Various digital companies have taken control of and privatized the internet, taking control and navigation of internet users.
“The internet does not fully bring benefits, but it is also a case of crisis communication that must be anticipated,” said Dorien Kartikawangi as a conclusion to the discussion.
After the sharing session was completed, the event continued with the presentation of certificates and souvenirs from the Graduate Program in Communication at the University of Indonesia to Hadi Saba Ayon, PhD as a sign of appreciation for the knowledge that had been shared. “You are very brilliant students. I’m glad to meet you all. Thank you,” was a warm response from Hadi Saba Ayon. A photo session was held to capture the moment and end the lecture and sharing session. (DLN)
