The COVID-19 pandemic requires universities to act in accordance with their respective fields of science both in terms of academic thought and research to handle the pandemic. On this occasion, the Communication Studies Program of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) contributed in terms of knowledge in the field of Communication Science by launching a book entitled “The Crisis of Communication in the COVID-19 Pandemic”. The book, which contains 288 pages and was published by Buku Litera, contains studies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic issue from the perspective of Communication Studies. Forty-four authors were involved in the collaboration of book publishing which was edited by UMY Communication Studies lecturer, Dr. Fajar Junaedi.
Dr. Fajar Junaedi said on Monday (6/4) that this book which has the theme of communication crisis is a form of scientific contribution as communication academics. I addition, this book consists of three parts. The first part explores the need for the actualization of communication, both in theory, research, and practice in the face of a pandemic. “This book is a manifestation of our scientific contribution as communication science academics,” said the lecturer, who is fondly called Fajarjun.
The second part of the book concerns the government’s attempts on solving the issue of public communication when facing COVID-19, namely the central government’s weaknesses in managing public communication which actually added to the public’s nervousness. The last section discusses media and public relations in Corona COVID-19 information, both mass media and social media, written based on research and conceptual research.
“Although it was published by the Association of Higher Education Communication Studies of Muhammadiyah Universities and‘ Aisyiyah (APIK PTMA). The authors are not only from PTMA, but from various universities throughout Indonesia,” he added.
Chairperson of APIK PTMA, Muhammad Himawan Sutanto stated that the idea of publishing this book began when Communication Science academics from various universities in Indonesia followed a webinar titled Communication Management for Corona COVID-19 Virus on March 26, 2020. “Practical creative process of the book took only one week, because, in addition to academic goals, this book is intended for charity. Our editors and writers don’t get royalties. If you want to order the book, please contact WA number 087734608747,” he explained.
In this book publishing project the UMY Communication Studies Program collaborated with 9 other campuses namely Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatra Utara, Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara, Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton, Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo, Universitas Muhammadiyah Cirebon, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta, and Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta. (Sofia)
