A proud academic achievement has been attained by Ali Firdausi, a student of the Master’s Program in Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FISHUM), UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, who won an award at the Presentation Day – International Essay Competition 2026 organized by the Center for Media and Sports Studies (CMSS).
In the international academic competition carrying the theme “Communication, Media, and Contemporary Society,” Ali Firdausi was awarded 3rd Winner for his essay entitled “Deepfakes, Informational Acceleration, and Public Trust: A Virilian Analysis of Indonesia’s 2026 Pension-Assistance Hoax.” The award was officially listed in the CMSS winner announcement and certificate of achievement.
The essay addresses a highly relevant issue in contemporary media and communication studies, particularly the relationship between deepfake technology, the acceleration of information flows, and the crisis of public trust in the digital era. Through a Virilian analytical perspective, the work examines how the speed of information circulation may influence public perception, especially when public issues are produced, manipulated, and disseminated within digital media ecosystems.
The Presentation Day. International Essay Competition 2026 brought together international scholars, guest student presenters, and shortlisted nominees from various universities. The final session included presentations under several thematic clusters, including Political Communication, Digital Culture, and Gen Z Identity as well as AI, Algorithms, and the Trust Crisis. Ali Firdausi’s essay was part of the broader discussion on digital disruption, public trust, and contemporary communication challenges.This achievement reflects the active contribution of FISHUM UIN Sunan Kalijaga students to international academic forums, particularly in the fields of media studies, political communication, digital culture, and information ethics. It also strengthens the academic profile of the Master’s Program in Media and Communication as a space that encourages students to produce critical, relevant, and socially engaged scholarly work.FISHUM UIN Sunan Kalijaga extends its appreciation to Ali Firdausi for this accomplishment. The achievement is expected to inspire other students to continue developing academic works that respond critically to contemporary social and technological issues.