Transformasi Media dan Tantangan Pers Mahasiswa dalam Menyajikan Informasi (Studi Kasus: Pers Mahasiswa Pijar dan Suara USU)

Abstract

Technological advancements and the openness of information have enabled individuals to access and disseminate information rapidly and widely. This shift has influenced the field of journalism, where traditional media platforms have evolved into more interactive digital spaces. Such transformation is not limited to mainstream media but also extends to student press institutions. This study aims to analyze the impact of media transformation on two student press institutions—Lembaga Pers Mahasiswa (LPM) Pijar and Suara USU—and to identify the challenges they face in delivering information as campus journalists. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and a case study method, this research explores how both institutions adapt to digital technologies to remain relevant in the digital era. The findings reveal that LPM Pijar and Suara USU have embraced digital media to enhance their content distribution and engagement. However, the transformation also brings a range of challenges. Referring to the Hierarchy of Influences theory by Pamela Shoemaker and Stephen D. Reese, the challenges include limited human resources (individual level), demanding production routines (media routines), financial limitations and regeneration issues (organizational level), restricted access to information (extramedia level), and threats to journalistic independence (ideological level). This study highlights the vital roles of student press institutions as institutional watchdogs, information providers, and student representatives within academic environments. The results are expected to serve as a reference for other student press organizations navigating similar transitions in the digital age.