How Local Lawmakers in Jombang Use Culture and Digital Media to Hear Citizens’ Voices
Local legislators in Jombang Regency, East Java, are blending face-to-face dialogue, religious networks, and digital platforms to better capture public concerns, according to new research by scholars from Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya. The peer-reviewed study, published in 2026, shows that members of the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) have adopted multi-channel political communication strategies to strengthen public participation, transparency, and policy effectiveness in a region shaped by strong pesantren, or Islamic boarding school, traditions. The findings matter as Indonesia continues to push for more inclusive and responsive local democracy in the post-decentralization era.
The research was conducted by Donny Anggun, Teguh Priyo Sadono, and Bambang Sigit Pramono from the Master’s Program in Communication Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya. Their work focuses on the 2024–2029 DPRD period in Jombang, a regency with around 1.3 million residents and more than 200 pesantren, including the nationally influential Tebuireng Islamic boarding school.
Why Political Communication Matters in Jombang
Across Indonesia, public trust in political institutions is closely tied to how well elected officials listen and respond to citizens. In Jombang, this challenge is shaped by unique local conditions. The regency combines rural farming communities, small traders, urban professionals, and a dense network of religious institutions. Internet access is uneven, with about a quarter of villages still lacking reliable connectivity.
These conditions mean that a single communication approach does not work for everyone. Citizens expect lawmakers not only to deliver information but also to listen, respond, and follow up on real problems such as infrastructure, education, agriculture, and local economic development. The Jombang case highlights how political communication must adapt to social, cultural, and technological realities on the ground.
How the Research Was Conducted
The researchers used a qualitative case study approach to capture real-world political communication practices. Data were gathered through:
- In-depth interviews with DPRD members, community leaders, religious figures, civil society activists, and local media practitioners
- Participant observation at public hearings, community meetings, religious events, and legislative activities
- Analysis of official documents, reses (constituency visit) reports, policy records, and local media coverage
Rather than focusing on theory-heavy analysis, the study mapped how communication actually happens between lawmakers and citizens, and how different channels influence participation and trust.
Key Findings: A Multi-Channel Strategy
The study shows that DPRD members in Jombang rely on a combination of formal, informal, and digital communication channels. This approach reflects both cultural sensitivity and practical problem-solving.
Key findings include:
- Blending formal and informal communication. Official forums such as reses meetings and public hearings are combined with informal interactions at village gatherings, religious events, and community visits.
- Strong involvement of religious leaders. Kiai and pesantren leaders play a critical role as trusted intermediaries. Their presence increases legitimacy and encourages citizens to speak openly.
- Selective use of digital platforms. WhatsApp is the most intensively used digital tool because it allows fast, two-way communication. Facebook and Instagram are mainly used to share information and document activities.
- Audience-specific approaches. Rural communities respond best to face-to-face meetings, while urban and younger citizens prefer digital communication. Sector-specific forums work well for farmers, traders, and small business owners.
- Continuous evaluation. Lawmakers regularly review which channels work best and adjust their strategies based on citizen feedback and policy outcomes.
According to the authors, these practices contribute to five major outcomes: increased public participation, more responsive political representation, stronger culturally rooted social relations, improved transparency and accountability, and more effective public policies.
Strengthening Participatory Democracy
The research highlights that communication is not just about delivering messages. It is a core mechanism for building participatory democracy. When citizens feel heard and see their concerns reflected in policy discussions, trust in local government increases.
“Political communication in Jombang shows that listening is as important as speaking,” the authors note. Donny Anggun of Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya explains that involving religious leaders provides social legitimacy that formal political institutions alone cannot achieve in pesantren-based communities. This cultural alignment helps bridge gaps between government and society.
The study also finds that transparency improves when lawmakers actively share legislative progress through digital channels. Citizens can follow debates, track issues, and hold representatives accountable more easily than before.
Real-World Impact and Policy Implications
The findings offer practical lessons for local governments across Indonesia and other culturally diverse regions:
- For policymakers: Multi-channel communication should be institutionalized, not left to individual initiative.
- For DPRD members: Digital tools should complement, not replace, face-to-face engagement.
- For civil society: Religious and community leaders can act as partners in democratic participation.
- For technology planners: Expanding internet access remains essential for inclusive digital democracy.
By showing how communication strategies influence policy effectiveness, the study underscores that better dialogue can lead to better governance outcomes.
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