SELECTION AND UTILIZATION OF TWITTER AS ONLINE MEDIUM FOR INFORMATION DISSEMINATION IN CIKARANG (A STUDY CASE OF @URBANCIKARANG)

Abstract

The intent of Uses and Gratification theory is about an individual that uses a specific type of medium by reason of the gratification an individual may receive from it. The research objectives were to comprehend the selection of Twitter and to utilize Twitter as an online medium for spreading information specifically in Cikarang and Bekasi region. A study case in Twitter account @urbancikarang had been used. The aim of this research was to discuss in detail why @urbancikarang selected Twitter. It was assumed that @urbancikarang used Twitter as information sharing tool among the users, thus, the two-way communication occurred in which not only to disseminate the information but also the users were able to interact in a sense; can ask anything about what they wanted to know around Cikarang. The result was a deep understanding of the motivation that was underlying @urbancikarang for choosing and utilizing Twitter to disseminate the information. It was also found that Uses and Gratification theory perceived satisfaction and interest of society toward the most current information.