Not a film marathon nor a running marathon, the Media and Cultural Studies (KBM) Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a marathon of discussions along with the launch of three books in a single day on Friday (14/11). The three books—launched as part of the events celebrating KBM’s 4th Lustrum—were written by KBM academics and alumni and edited by Dr. Arifah Rahmawati, Budiawan, S.S., M.A., PhD, and Ardhie Raditya. These books document critical responses to various contemporary social issues, while also offering readers a “peek” into the research landscape of KBM.
The discussion of the first book, Kala Lokal dan Global Berjumpa dalam Praktik Budaya dan Media di Indonesia, was represented by two contributors: Anugrah Pambudi W., M.A., and Farisa Iffa Tiara Dewi, S.I.Kom. Anugrah examined the entanglement between locality, transculturality, and the possibility of cultural imperialism within “Japanese-Javanese” (Jepang Jowo) content. Meanwhile, Farisa’s chapter explores how the “local” and “global” intersect in the ViaVia Yogyakarta menu book.
The second book, Pertemanan dan Pesohor di Ruang Siber, has an interesting background. Its twelve chapters are developments of Midterm Exam assignments (UTS) from the 2024 cohort of the KBM Master’s Program, specifically from the course Cyber Culture and the Digitalization of Society. The writings address two key questions about friendships in offline and online spaces, as well as virality versus visibility. Dr. Awanis Akalili, who attended as a discussant, noted that this book can serve as a valuable reference for understanding how online users build relationships and negotiate their sense of self.
The final discussion focused on the book Identitas yang Terbelah; Khalayak Aktif, Interseksionalitas Perempuan, dan Perlawanan Senyap Anak Muda Indonesia, represented by three contributors: Adek Risma Dedes, S.S., M.A., Rinta Arina Manasikana, S.I.Kom, M.A., and Nurizky Adhi Hutama, S.E., M.A. The session opened with Adek’s account of her chapter, which analyzes the “celebritization of crime” and media victimization in the Ferdi Sambo case. Meanwhile, presentations by Rinta and Nurizky transformed UGM Graduate School’s Room 307 into a “Japanese-themed” atmosphere, as both discussed Japanese fandom phenomena within the Indonesian context.
The publication of these three books demonstrates KBM’s commitment to nurturing a culture of critical thinking in response to social phenomena—especially in a digital era where everything changes rapidly.
Contributor: Fatimah Vitri Imania