Journalistic Creativity on Environmental Issues in Forest Watch Indonesia’s Instagram Reels Content
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Abstract
This study aims to analyze journalistic creativity strategies in producing environmental storytelling content on Forest Watch Indonesia’s Instagram Reels. The research employs a descriptive qualitative approach using the S-DIKW (Story-Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom) framework as an analytical lens to understand the process of delivering forestry data through short-form digital storytelling. Data were collected through non-participant observation, literature review, and semi-structured interviews with five informants consisting of two heads of media and data divisions and three media division members at Forest Watch Indonesia. Data analysis was conducted using the Miles and Huberman model. The findings show that Forest Watch Indonesia applies various journalistic creativity strategies, such as the use of analogies, popular language, interactive hooks, data visualization, emotional dramatization, and audio-visual elements to simplify complex environmental data and make it more accessible to social media audiences. Storytelling also functions as a form of digital advocacy that encourages public engagement with environmental issues. This study highlights the contribution of the S-DIKW framework in analyzing data storytelling strategies on short-video platforms and expands the study of social media–based digital environmental journalism.
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