Abstract
“ANALISIS INDEPENDENSI BERITA POLITIK TENTANG PERISTIWA
DITANGKAPNYA BUPATI PONOROGO OLEH KPK DI
KANALINDONESIA.COM PADA TANGGAL 16 NOVEMBER 2025”
Wahyu Ardi Raharjo Mulyo
22241011
The development of online media has changed the pattern of news
production and distribution, making information faster, broader, and more
accessible to the public. However, the rapid flow of information also creates
challenges to news independence, especially in political and legal issues that have
high sensitivity. One of the events that attracted public attention was the arrest of a
Ponorogo official by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which was
reported by Kanalindonesia.com on November 16, 2025. In this context, media
independence is important to ensure that news is presented objectively, fairly, and
free from particular interests. This study aims to determine how political news
independence was applied in Kanalindonesia.com’s coverage of the event. The
research focuses on editorial processes, the implementation of news objectivity,
challenges in maintaining independence, and the characteristics of online media in
producing political news. The results show that Kanalindonesia.com normatively
applies independence as a basic principle of reporting. Independence is reflected
through the implementation of cover both sides, information verification, the use of
neutral language, and the application of the presumption of innocence principle in
reporting legal cases. The editorial team also performs a control function through
an editing process before publication. However, independence faces challenges
such as pressure for speed in online media, media economic needs through
advertorial content, and the potential closeness of journalists to officials or sources.
Journalistic professionalism and compliance with the journalistic code of ethics are
important factors in maintaining reporting quality. The conclusion of this study
shows that political news independence in local online media is dynamic and
influenced by the interaction between journalistic idealism, business demands,
digital media characteristics, and the local political context. This research
contributes to the development of communication studies, particularly in the study
of local digital media independence. Future research is recommended to compare
several online media outlets and examine the influence of digital algorithms on the
independence of political news reporting.
Keywords: News Independence, Online Media, Political News, Objectivity,
Kanalindonesia.com