Caricatures of Jokowi in Tempo Magazine Covers: A Semiotic Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24114/g6fhr203Abstract
This study aimed to explore how Tempo portrayed Jokowi, using a semiotic lens of Charles Sanders Peirce’s triadic model to decode the deeper political meanings embedded in its cover caricatures. Using a qualitative content analysis research design, the research examined how each cover functioned as a sign consisting of representamen (icons, indexes, and symbols), object, and interpretant. Icons appeared in the form of Jokowi’s exaggerated caricatures, which made him instantly recognizable. Indexes were shown through visual objects such as mirrors, balloons, or puppet strings, pointing to Jokowi’s active role in political actions. Symbols, like the phrases cawe-cawe and dinasti tiada henti, added cultural and political meanings that reflected concerns about interference and dynastic politics. By connecting these signs with their objects and interpretants, the study found that Tempo did not present Jokowi as a neutral or retiring leader. Instead, he was shown as someone still deeply involved in shaping politics, controlling images of himself, and ensuring power continued through his son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The interpretations encouraged readers to see Jokowi as a leader who extended his influence beyond his formal term. These findings demonstrate how visual semiotics functioned as a critical tool for the media to comment on Jokowi’s political image.
Keywords: Caricature; Jokowi; Semiotic; Triadic Model
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