Sea Accidents in Sulawesi According to Public Perceptions in Online Media Frames

Abstract

Marine accidents are an important issue in Indonesia and are often featured in online media coverage. However, representations of marine accidents in the media are not entirely neutral and usually influence public perceptions. This study identifies a gap in the literature regarding how online media framing influences public understanding of marine accidents, especially in Sulawesi waters. This study aims to analyse the news framing of two media outlets, CNN Indonesia and Detik.com, and connect the results of this Analysis with in-depth interviews with sea transportation users at Makassar Port. The research method uses the framing analysis model of Zhongdang Pan and Gerald M. Kosicki. The results showed differences in framing between the two media. CNN Indonesia emphasised bad weather as the leading cause, while Detik.com focused more on the investigation process and the search for victims. Interview results supported this Analysis, revealing that while sea transport remains the leading choice due to economic factors, media coverage had a significant emotional impact, such as worry and sadness. Respondents also highlighted the lack of educational information in the news. The conclusion of this study shows that online media framing influences the public's perception of risk regarding shipping safety. Therefore, more informative and educative reporting is needed to improve public literacy. The media, government and society need to work together to create more transparent communication and support shipping safety. This research provides important insights for improving marine safety through better public communication approaches.