Social Media as a Catalyst for Digital Transformation in Community Facilitation in the Post-Pandemic Era Abdul Aziz Zulhakim (a*), Is Susanti (a), Dwi Kristanti (b), Nursanty (a), Jatmiko Yogopriyatno (a)
a) Departement of Public Administration/ Bengkulu University, Jl. WR. Supratman, Kandang Limun, Muara Bangka Hulu, Kota Bengkulu 38371
*abdul.azizzulhakim[at]unib.ac.id
b) Departement of Public Administration/ Open University
Abstract
This study examines the role of social media as a catalyst for digital transformation in community empowerment in post-pandemic Indonesia. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption across various sectors, including community empowerment practices, transforming social media from an entertainment platform into a strategic instrument for social change. The study employs an interpretive paradigm with a descriptive qualitative approach to understand the subjective meanings constructed by field practitioners. Data collection involved secondary data analysis and participatory field observations on social media platforms, particularly the YouTube channel TV Desa. The study applied thematic analysis and descriptive content analysis within the framework of network society theory and the connected learning framework. Findings revealed significant changes in communication patterns, shifting from conventional face-to-face interactions to broader and more participatory digital interactions. Field facilitators successfully transformed into content creators, bridging local needs with digital media through a collaborative approach that strengthened social cohesion and the legitimacy of messages within the village community. The four dimensions of connected learning (relationships, relevance, verbal communication, and mutual respect) were effectively implemented in community media practices such as TV Desa. The study demonstrates how community media channels position the village within a network society, transforming it from an information consumer into an information producer while building a new collective identity and experiencing a more decentralised distribution of information power.
Keywords: connected learning- social media- network society- community empowerment- digital transformation
Topic: Social Community Dynamics in the Digital Age
