POLICY COMMUNICATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIAL FORESTRY DISCOURSE: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF THE MINISTRY OF FORESTRY’S OFFICIAL NEWS IN 2025

Abstrak

This study explores how Social Forestry policy communication is constructed in the official news platform of the Ministry of Forestry throughout 2025. Employing a qualitative design and Critical Discourse Analysis, the research examines all Social Forestry-related news articles published during the year. The analysis focuses on textual structures, discursive strategies, and the broader socio-political context to understand how policy meanings and actor roles are shaped in official communication. The findings suggest that Social Forestry is consistently framed as a strategic national program linked to community empowerment, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability. Government institutions are presented as key policy drivers, while local communities are primarily portrayed as program beneficiaries. Quantitative achievements and program milestones serve as central elements in reinforcing policy credibility. The study highlights how official media functions as a strategic communication arena in articulating state policy priorities and constructing legitimacy. These insights contribute to the broader discussion on public policy communication and the role of institutional media in shaping public narratives.