Rocky Gerung: Government communication must address public perception

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the Presidential Advisory Council, Rocky Gerung, believes that government communication must win public perception so that President Prabowo Subianto’s vision reaches the community.

“Because the primary element of communication is perception, not facts or data,” said Rocky while attending the inauguration of the Head of the Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom) in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Rocky noted that communication begins with body language. According to him, the nation’s problem lies in the inability to manage body language, a challenge that applies to all institutions.

He stated that the President possesses thoughts, visions, intentions, and a sense of urgency. “The bridge to the public is sometimes destroyed by the bureaucracy itself,” he remarked.

Rocky claimed he could demonstrate all of the President’s achievements and the results awaited by the public. However, he noted that even a single instance of resentment can cause that data to be perceived as false.

Therefore, he assessed that a strategic position for winning the hearts of the public cannot be based on factual confrontation. He proposed communication that prioritises logic, particularly for educated netizens.

Rocky also emphasised the benchmark for a government communicator. “Whatever is said by a communications official, it must create an impact on changes in way of thinking and changes in attitude,” he said.