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Social media hot topic during C. Java gubernatorial debate
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Central Java gubernatorial candidate pairs Ganjar Pranowo (left) and Taj Yasin (second left) and Sudirman Said (second right) and Ida Fauziyah (right) prepare to respond to queries during the last candidate debate in Semarang, Central Java, on Thursday. (JP/Suherdjoko)
T
he use of social media in campaigns was the topic of a heated discussion between Governor Ganjar Pranowo and contender Sudirman Said during the Central Java gubernatorial election debate in Semarang on Thursday.
It was the last debate held by the Central Java General Elections Commission (KPUD) ahead of the province’s gubernatorial election on Wednesday.
Four moderators, who are lecturers at four universities in Central Java, opened the debate by asking how the candidates planned to communicate the values of Pancasila, the state ideology, to 1.5 million Generation Z members in the province.
Ganjar, who was accompanied by running mate Taj Yasin, was the first to answer the question. He said social media was the best way to approach Generation Z members as they preferred audio-visual communication.
“With social media we can teach Pancasila to young adults using their own language and style. They can literally chit-chat with their leaders from their bedrooms.”
Ganjar is widely known as a leader who uses social media, especially Twitter, to communicate with residents. He said social media allowed him to respond faster.
Sudirman, who was accompanied by his running mate Ida Fauziyah, said what was important about social media was its substance.
During the debate, both candidates also talked about how to effectively deal with the tidal waves that have frequently inundated areas along Java’s northern coastline, especially Pekalongan, Semarang and Demak. (nor/ebf)
