News Discourse and Gender Bias Toward Female Presidential Candidates Approaching the 2024 Election in Indonesia

Abstract

This paper investigates media bias against female politicians in the context of Indonesia's upcoming 2024 elections. Utilizing the framework of media framing, the study analyzes news reports from the highly influential online media outlet, Kompas. Specifically, it focuses on four prominent female presidential candidates: Puan Maharani, Khofifah Indarparawansah, Susi Pudjiastuti, and Tri Rismaharini. Employing framing analysis by Pan and Kosicki to study the discourse of news reports toward female politicians and their gendered representations, the research highlights the pervasive presence of media bias in shaping public perceptions of women's leadership within Indonesian democracy. By identifying and examining instances of bias, this study contributes to the scholarly discourse surrounding media bias and gender politics in Indonesia. Furthermore, it aims to raise awareness and foster a deeper understanding of pervasive challenges faced by female politicians in the country.