Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, September 11, 2026 at 02:17 PM

ANTARA president director launches book on political communication

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Livia Kristianti, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Benny Siga Butarbutar, a communications practitioner and president director of Indonesia’s national news agency ANTARA, has launched a book on managing political communication in an era of digital disruption.

Co-authored with Marlinda Irwanti Poernomo, an academic and mass communication practitioner, JURU BICARA: Perspektif Manajemen Komunikasi Politik di Era Disrupsi offers insights into challenges facing spokespersons amid digital disruption.

“Until now, there has been no book or guide covering both theory and standard operating procedures for spokespersons. This book seeks to provide clearer guidance for aspiring spokespersons,” Benny said on Friday.

He made the remarks during the book’s launch at the ANTARA Heritage Center in Central Jakarta, highlighting three key functions of spokespersons: explaining, persuading and influencing.

Benny said the role of spokespersons in Indonesia had yet to evolve toward influencing audiences and remained largely focused on delivering information.

“Driven by that concern, I worked with colleagues and Professor Marlinda to develop a framework. This eventually evolved into a book,” he said.

Drawing on his communications experience as a journalist and corporate professional, Benny offers practical insights into the skills and qualities needed to become an effective and influential spokesperson.

His experience includes working for airlines, food logistics companies and government communication agencies, where he gained practical experience in strategic communications.

Marlinda said the book aims to provide a clearer perspective on the role of spokespersons, particularly within government institutions.

She said the book presents spokespersons as “Chief Reassurance Officers,” whose role goes beyond addressing problems to assuring audiences that issues are being properly handled.

“This book presents the spokesperson as a Chief Reassurance Officer, assuring the public that real issues are being seriously addressed by the government or private sector,” she said.

The launch drew positive feedback, including from Head of the Government Communication Agency Muhammad Qodari, who delivered the keynote address.

Qodari said the book provides a clear overview of structured government communication aimed at ensuring effective performance and could serve as a reference for communication practitioners and students nationwide.

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