MENURUNNYA MINAT JURNALISTIK ADALAH ANCAMAN BAGI TUMBUHNYA DAYA KRITIS GENERASI Z

Abstrak

ABSTRACT

This study examines the declining interest in formal journalism among Generation Z and its implications for critical thinking in the digital era. Grounded in theories of journalism as a social institution, uses and gratifications, media literacy, and critical thinking, the research employs a descriptive qualitative approach supported by intensive reading of contemporary media practices and relevant literature. The findings indicate a fundamental shift in the meaning of “news,” where virality increasingly replaces institutional credibility as a source of legitimacy. Algorithm-driven social media environments encourage surface-level information processing, filter bubbles, and reduced exposure to diverse perspectives. Informants who regularly engage with in-depth journalistic content demonstrate stronger evaluative and reflective skills compared to those relying solely on social media feeds. The study concludes that the decreasing engagement with formal journalism reflects a broader transformation in information culture and poses a significant challenge to the development of critical literacy and democratic participation among young generations.

 Keywords: Generation Z; Journalism; Media Literacy; Critical Thinking; Digital Culture