Gerakan Sosial Digital di Deli Serdang: Kajian Komunikasi Akar Rumput dalam Menentukan Transparansi Anggaran

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the dynamics of digital social movements in Deli Serdang Regency as a form of grassroots communication demanding regional budget transparency. Limited public access to government information and low fiscal literacy serve as the initial context that drives citizen-led communication initiatives in digital spaces. The research employs a descriptive qualitative approach using a case study design. Data were collected through social media content observation, interviews with activists and community leaders, and a review of relevant documents. The analysis focuses on citizens’ communication strategies, including the use of local languages, cultural symbols, and collaborative patterns among young activists, NGOs, and community figures. The results show that social media functions as an alternative space for local political participation and creates opportunities for policy democratization at the regional level. The findings also reveal structural resistance in the form of bureaucratic counter-narratives and limited government response to online demands, which constrain the movement’s effectiveness. The discussion emphasizes that digital engagement has contributed to the disclosure of certain public documents and has increased citizens’ collective awareness regarding the importance of fiscal transparency. The implication of this study is that local governments should develop official digital participation channels to ensure more responsive and accountable public communication.