Beginner Voter Experience in Finding Information Through Mass Media and Social Media in the 2019 Presidential Election (Phenomenology Study of High School Students in Serang City, Banten)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find out and understand the meaning of the 2019 presidential election for Beginner Voters, illustrate how Beginner Voter seek information through mass media and social media, and describe what messages are able to make Beginner Voters determine their choices in the last 2019 Presidential Election. This study uses a qualitative phenomenological approach considering the main focus of this research is the meaning of the subject's experience. Data collection is done by in-depth interview method. The technique of determining the subject of research was carried out using purposive sampling, where respondents were selected with specific considerations and objectives namely Beginner Voters 17 years and over. Subjects were obtained by six high school students in Serang, Banten. The results showed the meaning of the presidential election was the first experience that did not want to be missed, the moment of determining the fate of the nation, awareness, care, influence and no effect on the future. In the search for information there were different activities, namely informants who were actively discussing and informants who were not actively discussing. Environmental factors were related to the involvement of Beginner Voters in selecting presidential candidates. Whether discussing or not discussing with students 'parents/guardians, Beginner Voters have the same choices as students' parents/guardians. The process of finding information on issues in the 2019 Presidential Election namely: Prices of basic needs, Employment, Foreign Workers, Religion, Presidential Candidates, Hoaxes and Sports. Environmental barriers occur for informants who cannot participate because she has not been invited to vote, while personal barriers occur for informants who do not care and do not want to seek information about the 2019 Presidential Election.