Media Perspectives on Indonesian Policies against Illegal Online Gambling: A Framing Analysis

Abstract

Online gambling is illegal in Indonesia, both legally and socially. Nevertheless, it has gained popularity among various segments of society, including teenagers, adults, and even government employees. This study aims to understand the media's perspective on the handling of online gambling in Indonesia. Utilizing Robert Entman's framing analysis theory, the research focuses on four elements: defining the problem, diagnosing the cause, making moral judgments, and providing treatment recommendations. The sample consists of news articles from Kompas.com between June 2023 and July 2024. The findings reveal that Kompas.com emphasizes government actions such as the arrest of gambling operators, online gamblers, and celebrities promoting online gambling as the defined problem. In diagnosing the cause, the reports highlight online gambling as a complex crime involving international networks and cybersecurity issues. The moral judgment presented by Kompas.com underscores the negative impacts of online gambling, press freedom, and societal morality. The treatment recommendations suggested include stringent enforcement and deterrent penalties, as well as international cooperation to eradicate online gambling in Indonesia.