Examining Spiritual Cult on New Media in the Construction of Medans Hadith Enthusiasts

Abstract

Between 2022 and 2024, Indonesia was stirred by a spiritual-cult phenomenon involving Gus Samsudin, Panji Gumilang, and Mama Gufran, who were able to generate public opinion reaching approximately five million viewers per video. The subjects extensively construct and reinforce a leader-centered cult image through new media in order to sustain a post-truth agenda, despite the limited role of the Kominfo (also referred to as Komdigi) in categorizing religion- and myth-based hoaxes. As noted by Komdigi, certain categories of hoaxes must first be determined through recommendations from designated experts, particularly the Majelis Ulama Indonesia, before any blocking measures can be implemented. This study verifies religion- and myth-based categories using Fairclough’s Model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). It also incorporates the perspectives of Hadith enthusiasts as part of the “Checking the Meaning by Outliers” process, one of the “Drawing and Verifying Conclusions” techniques proposed by Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña. The study concludes that: (1) the subjects function as post-truth originators; (2) the repackaging practices of media companies are driven by profit motives; and (3) the experimental adaptation of Jarh wa Ta'dil indicates that the subjects, as originators, demonstrate weak credibility.

Keywords

• Post-Truth
• Spiritual Cult of Personality
• New Media
• TV One News
• Jarh wa Ta’dil

Yeni Medyada Medanlı Hadis Meraklılarının İnşasında Ruhani Kültün İncelenmesi

Abstract

2022 ile 2024 yılları arasında Endonezya, Gus Samsudin, Panji Gumilang ve Mama Gufran’ın yer aldığı bir tür ruhsal-kült fenomeniyle sarsılmıştır. Bu kişiler, her bir video başına yaklaşık beş milyon izleyiciye ulaşarak kamuoyunu etkileyebilmiştir. Söz konusu kişiler, post-truth bir gündemi sürdürmek amacıyla yeni medya üzerinden lider merkezli bir kült imajını yoğun biçimde inşa etmekte ve pekiştirmektedir. Bu durum, din ve mit temelli yanlış bilgileri sınıflandırma konusunda Kominfo’nun (Komdigi olarak da anılmaktadır) sınırlı rolüne rağmen gerçekleşmektedir. Komdigi’nin belirttiği üzere, bazı hoaks kategorilerinin engellenmeden önce, özellikle Endonezya Ulema Konseyi (Majelis Ulama Indonesia) gibi yetkilendirilmiş uzman kurumların önerileri doğrultusunda belirlenmesi gerekmektedir. Bu çalışma, din ve mit temelli kategorileri Fairclough’un Eleştirel Söylem Analizi (CDA) modeli kullanarak incelemektedir. Ayrıca, Miles, Huberman ve Saldaña tarafından önerilen “Sonuçların Oluşturulması ve Doğrulanması” tekniklerinden biri olan “Aykırı Görüşlerle Anlamın Doğrulanması” süreci kapsamında hadis alanına ilgi duyan kişilerin görüşlerine de yer verilmiştir. Çalışmanın sonuçları şu şekildedir: (1) incelenen kişiler post-truth üreticileri olarak işlev görmektedir; (2) medya kuruluşlarının içerik yeniden paketleme pratikleri kâr odaklıdır ve (3) jarh ve ta’dil yönteminin deneysel uyarlaması, bu kişilerin bilgi kaynağı olarak zayıf bir güvenilirliğe sahip olduğunu göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Post-Truth
• Kişilik Manevi Kültü
• Yeni Medya
• TV One News
• Jarh wa Ta'dil

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