Protocol Journalism Practice in the Indonesia Presidential Palace during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The pandemic of covid-19 has changed the practice to gather news in the Presidential Palace. Access to cover news that was previously open must be limited to prevent transmission of the covid-19 virus. The need to obtain news from palace journalists was made easier because the dissemination of news was not actively carried out by them, but was fully assisted by Biro Press, Media, dan Informasi (BPMI). BPMI helps the journalist by distributing daily press releases via the WhatsApp group or broadcasting live the President activities on YouTube. The purpose of this research is to explore how media relations practice during the pandemic in the Indonesia Presidential Palace. The researcher surveyed 53 journalists from different media and conducted in depth interviewed with three journalists. The findings suggest that BPMI implements protocol journalism practice. The implications of protocol journalism are discussed.