The Influence of Social Media on Public Policy Changes in Bandar Lampung City

Abstract

This research investigated the use of social media and its implication on policy changes. The study used a qualitative descriptive approach as its research design. Social media users in Bandar Lampung who respond (criticism, support, suggestion, rejection and disagreement) to public policy in Bandar Lampung were used as the instrument of data collection. The results of the research showed that the presence of social media especially among middle class users was used as an instrument to respond to public policies in Bandar Lampung. There was a change in the relationship between the public and the government, from conventional models shifting to an internet-based relationship model. The findings also showed that not all criticisms, suggestions or opinions of the public had implications for policy changes, except in the case of the traffic engineering management policy. The termination of the traffic engineering management policy happened because this policy did not solve traffic jams around the Tugu Pahlawan to the Teuku Umar street, in Danrem Garuda Hitam. Social media platforms were used as a means for the public to express their criticism and opinion on the policy and the Bandar Lampung government responded by terminating the traffic engineering management policy and restoring the original route. In general, when a public policy is criticized or protested by the public, the Bandar Lampung government’s response tends to argue against the policy.