Aldehead Marinda Merfonsina Uparatu, Herlina Agustin, Rinda Aunillah Sirait

Framing Human-Crocodile Conflict: A Quantitative Content Analysis on detik.com Online Media

Introduction

Framing human-crocodile conflict: a quantitative content analysis on detik.com online media. Quantitative analysis of human-crocodile conflict news on detik.com (2024). Reveals government-reliant, negative, fear-based, episodic framing, fostering sensationalism. Urges balanced, science-based reporting.

Abstract

Human-crocodile conflict (HCC) is an important yet under-researched aspect of human-wildlife interactions in Indonesia with significant consequences for conservation efforts and public awareness. This study used a quantitative framing method with a content analysis approach based on 168 news articles published by detik.com in 2024 to examine how human-crocodile conflict was portrayed in this one of Indonesia's leading online media. Four variables were analyzed: news source, tone, frame type, and use of thematic versus episodic framing. The findings showed a strong reliance on government sources (79.16%), with insignificant representation of non-governmental perspectives. This resulted in narrow narrative coverage. News coverage was dominated by negative reporting, particularly in government-sourced stories (sentiment score: -0.50), perpetuating fear-based stereotypes about crocodiles. The most common frames were attribution of responsibility (34.0%) and human interest (30.1%), while thematic frames were rare (14.3%), indicating a preference for episodic and event-driven reporting over systemic analysis. These patterns suggest that the media on detik.com often reinforces sensationalism at the expense of balanced conservation messages. The study underscores the need for more inclusive, science-based reporting to foster coexistence and support effective conflict mitigation.

Review

This study tackles a critical and under-researched area: the media's portrayal of human-crocodile conflict (HCC) in Indonesia, a topic with significant implications for both conservation and public perception. By applying a quantitative framing method and content analysis to 168 news articles from detik.com in 2024, the research provides valuable insights into how one of Indonesia's leading online media outlets shapes the narrative around these interactions. The chosen methodology is robust for dissecting media framing, and the specific focus on detik.com allows for a detailed examination of its reporting patterns and their potential influence on public awareness and conservation initiatives. The findings illuminate several key issues in media representation. The study reveals a heavy reliance on government sources (79.16%), leading to a narrow narrative with limited non-governmental perspectives. This skewed sourcing correlates with predominantly negative reporting, especially in government-sourced stories (sentiment score: -0.50), which tends to perpetuate fear-based stereotypes about crocodiles. Furthermore, the analysis shows a preference for "attribution of responsibility" (34.0%) and "human interest" (30.1%) frames, while thematic frames, which offer systemic analysis, are conspicuously rare (14.3%). This inclination towards episodic, event-driven reporting over deeper contextualization suggests that detik.com's coverage often reinforces sensationalism, potentially undermining balanced conservation messages and hindering efforts towards coexistence. While the research provides a strong foundation by detailing framing patterns on a prominent platform, future studies could expand on its findings. Investigating a broader range of media outlets or comparing coverage across different regions or timeframes could offer a more comprehensive understanding of media's role in HCC. Nevertheless, this study makes a crucial contribution by explicitly identifying the need for more inclusive and science-based reporting. Its recommendations for fostering coexistence and supporting effective conflict mitigation are highly pertinent, providing a valuable framework for improving conservation communication strategies not only in Indonesia but also in other areas grappling with similar human-wildlife challenges.

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