Revitalization of Government Communication to Resolve Ambiguity of City Identity

Abstract

Research is reviewing the effect of communication government in determining the regional identity of Malang City. The succession of government principal in Malang City may influence the output of policy making. Such phenomenon can result into what so called “ambiguity of identity” that Malang City must experience, which in turn it may impact adversely on the establishment of the identity for Malang City itself. Research method is qualitative descriptive. Data are collected with deep interview. This research describes the change of Malang City identity in every leadership succession. Result of research finds a less consistency from the government of Malang City in securing the identity for Malang City. Indeed, the government of Malang City is less consistent in securing and developing city identity because it always changes with the succession of mayor leadership. Policy communication done by new government tends to be less sustainable in every term period. Policy communication done by the government of Malang City in securing city identity is usually top-down without involving the participation all stakeholders either board of representatives, relevant officials, and communities. Keywords: Revitalization, Communication, Ambiguity and Identity