Construction the image of pesantren in framing mass media news: A Robert Entman perspective

Abstract

Background: Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), as the oldest Islamic educational institutions in Indonesia, have historically been perceived as centers for moral formation, spirituality, and the character development of students. However, in recent years, pesantren have increasingly become the focus of mass media attention, particularly when events arise that generate controversy or public debate. Two prominent cases the collapse of a building at Pondok Pesantren Al-Khoziny and the controversy surrounding the depiction of pesantren activities in the Xpose Uncensored program aired on Trans7 have sparked discussions about how mass media frame the image of pesantren in the public sphere. This study aims to examine how the image of pesantren is constructed in media coverage based on Robert N. Entman’s framing perspective. Methods: This study employs a qualitative descriptive research design using Robert N. Entman’s framing analysis model, which consists of four elements: define problems, diagnose causes, make moral judgement, and treatment recommendation. The primary data were obtained from news texts published by BBC News Indonesia and TVOne News, as well as from the Xpose Uncensored program aired on Trans7, while secondary data were derived from relevant literature on media framing and the image of pesantren. The data analysis process followed Miles and Huberman’s model, which includes data collection, data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings were subsequently categorized into Entman’s four framing elements to reveal how the image of pesantren is constructed in mass media coverage. Findings: The main findings of this study indicate that the three media outlets construct the image of pesantren through different frames in accordance with their respective editorial perspectives. BBC News Indonesia emphasizes the tension between the narrative of “destiny” and demands for accountability, leading to the perception that pesantren are prone to using religious statements to obscure potential negligence. TVOne News frames pesantren as institutions that are administratively and technically negligent in construction governance, thus portraying the building collapse as evidence of failed development management. Meanwhile, Trans7, through its Xpose Uncensored program, constructs an image of pesantren characterized by strong social hierarchies and unequal power relations between kiai and santri, highlighting visuals and narratives of so-called “new-style feudalism". Conclusion: The three mass media outlets construct the image of pesantren in different ways through the selection of focus, narratives, and moral evaluations, resulting in framing that significantly influences public perceptions of pesantren. Novelty/Originality of this article: The novelty of this study lies in the integration of two contemporary event contexts and a cross-media analysis that comprehensively maps how the image of pesantren is constructed through current news coverage an approach that has rarely been explored in previous studies. This is because earlier research generally focused on educational aspects, the formation of students’ character, or the internal social dynamics of pesantren. Furthermore, this study does not aim to marginalize or discredit any party; rather, it is conducted purely as an academic inquiry to strengthen media literacy, enabling a clearer understanding of how media framing shapes public perceptions of the construction of pesantren’s image in news reporting.