Main Article Content
Abstract
Public Relations (PR) plays a crucial role in shaping a positive organizational image and fostering constructive relationships with the public. Within the political sphere, PR serves as a key instrument for enhancing legitimacy and strengthening public trust. This study analyzes the PR strategy of the West Java Prosperous Justice Party Regional Leadership Council (DPW PKS) in establishing symmetrical two-way communication with the public. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach and a case study method, data were gathered through in-depth interviews, non-participatory observation, and documentation analysis, then examined thematically. Findings reveal that DPW PKS’s PR effectively bridges the party and the public by promoting transparency, inclusive dialogue, and participatory engagement. Proactive issue management and rapid responses to disinformation sustain the party’s reputation amid dynamic political contexts. Internally, cohesive communication and member welfare reinforce integrity, while externally, collaboration with media, government, and communities enhances credibility and long-term public trust in digital democracy.
Keyword: Public Relations, PR strategy, political communication, party legitimacy, issue management.
Keywords
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Copyright (c) 2026 Khoiruddin Muchtar, Dedi Nurhidayat, Dadan Suherdiana, Imron Rosyidi, Susanti Ainul Fitri

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References
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References
Abdurrahman, M. S., Wulandari, A., & Nugroho, C. (2022). Exploring Government Public Relations Strategies in the Pon IXI Event in 2016. 156–167. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2022.01.02.13
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cardillo, E. (2020). The Strategic, Cognitive, and Institutional Perspectives of Transparency: The Meijer’s Model Applied to Italian Local Government (pp. 255–271). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53536-0_18
Coombs, W. T. (2014). Ongoing Crisis Communication: Planning, Managing, and Responding (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/ongoing-crisis-communication/book270207
Cornelissen, J. (2014). Corporate Communication: A Guide to Theory and Practice (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Desayu, S. E., & Mamat, H. M. (2023). Case Study of Political Public Relations Model Information Commission of West Java Provinsi. Proceeding of International Conference on Business, Economics, Social Sciences, and Humanities, 6, 257–267. https://doi.org/10.34010/icobest.v4i.375
Effendy, O. U. (2006). Hubungan Masyarakat: Suatu Studi Komunikologis. Remaja Rosdakarya.
Fitriani*, L., Nasution, B., & Suyanto, S. (2023). Political Communication Strategy for the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in Winning the 2019 Pekanbaru City DPRD Legislative Election. JIM: Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa Pendidikan Sejarah, 8(2), 380–387. https://doi.org/10.24815/jimps.v8i2.24607
Gemiharto, I. (2023). Government Communication of the Regional House of Representatives in the Process of Formulating Regional Regulations in Indonesia. Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia, 8(1), 217–227. https://doi.org/10.25008/jkiski.v8i1.784
Grunig, J. E., & Grunig, L. A. (2013). Excellence in Public Relations and Communication Management. In J. E. Grunig (Ed.), Excellence in Public Relations and Communication Management. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203812303
Grunig, J. E., & Hunt, T. (1984). Managing Public Relations. Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Harahap, R., Nurbani, N., & Kurniawati, D. (2022). Strategi Komunikasi Organisasi Pejabat Pengelola Informasi dan Dokumentasi Pemerintah Kota Medan Dalam Pelaksanaan Keterbukaan Informasi Publik. Komunikologi: Jurnal Pengembangan Ilmu Komunikasi Dan Sosial, 6(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.30829/komunikologi.v6i1.11638
Heryanto, G. gun, & Zarkasy, I. (2012). Public Relations Politik. Ghalia Indonesia.
Kotrikazdze, M. (2022). The Candidate as a “Political Goods” and the Electorate as a “Potential Client”: The Role of Public Relation on Political Campaign. Indonesian Journal of Cultural and Community Development, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.21070/ijccd2023869
Ledingham, J. A., & Bruning, S. D. (2000). Public Relations As Relationship Management (J. A. Ledingham & S. D. Bruning (eds.)). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410604668
Lilleker, D. G., & Negrine, R. (2002). Professionalization: Of What? Since When? By Whom? The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, 7(4), 98–98. https://doi.org/10.1177/108118002129172746
Macnamara, J. (2016). Organizational Listening: The Missing Essential in Public Communication. Peter Lang. https://archive.org/details/organizationalli0000macn
Malik, D. D. (2022). Ethics of Political Communication in Welcoming the Implementation of the 2024 General Election. Ijd-Demos, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.37950/ijd.v4i2.263
Mmutle, T. (2022). (Re-)Positioning and recognising the influence of internal communication on employee engagement for maximum organisational performance. Communicare Journal for Communication Sciences in Southern Africa, 41(1), 46–62. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v41i1.1395
Moloney, K. (2006). Rethinking Public Relations: PR Propaganda and Democracy. Routledge.
Muchtar, K., & Aliyudin. (2019). Public Relations Politik Partai Keadilan Sejahtera dalam Pemilukada Jawa Barat. Communicatus: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 3(1), 61–78. https://doi.org/10.15575/cjik.v3i1.5047
Nugraha, A. R., Novianti, E., & Sjoraida, D. F. (2022). The Single Narrative for Handling Covid-19 in Indonesia and Implementing of the Strategic Public Communication. NeuroQuantology, 20(5), 323–339. https://doi.org/10.14704/nq.2022.20.5.NQ22177
Nurussa’adah, E., & Suwandi Sumartias. (2017). Komunikasi politik partai keadilan sejahtera dalam keterbukaan ideologi. Jurnal Kajian Komunikasi, 5(1), 43–52.
Oparaugo, B. (2021). Role of Public Relations in Corporate Image Building and Sustenance. International Journal of Applied Research in Business and Management, 2(1), 26–37. https://doi.org/10.51137/ijarbm.2021.2.1.3
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Rohmawati, T. (2022). Aspects of Political Campaign in Political Communication Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (PKS) At The 2019 Legislative Election. Proceeding of International Conference on Business, Economics, Social Sciences, and Humanities, 3, 45–50. https://doi.org/10.34010/icobest.v3i.117
Siti Wuryan, Mustofa, M. B., Rezha Mardianty Rachmy, Sarah Nur Laila Indriyani, Septi Jelita Putri, & Tri Yana Dea Sari. (2022). SOCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS OF MASS COMMUNICATION ON COMMUNITY IN THE SOCIETY 5.0 ERA. KOMUNIKE, 14(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.20414/jurkom.v14i1.5171
Strömbäck, J., & Kiousis, S. (2011). Political Public Relations: Principles and Applications. Routledge.
Sweetser, K. D., English, K., & Fernandes, J. (2015). Super PACs and Strong Relationships: The Impact of Digital Interaction on the Political Organization–Public Relationship. Journal of Public Relations Research, 27(2), 101–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/1062726X.2014.976824
Taylor, M., & Kent, M. L. (2014). Dialogic Engagement: Clarifying Foundational Concepts. Journal of Public Relations Research, 26(5), 384–398. https://doi.org/10.1080/1062726X.2014.956106
Widiarningrum, Y., Sadhana, K., & Sukardi. (2022). Study of public Communication Strategy to improve the Image of the Government in the Probolinggo District of Indonesia. International Journal of Research in Social Science and Humanities, 03(09), 90–95. https://doi.org/10.47505/IJRSS.2022.V3.9.10
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.