THE STIGM AND COMMUNICATION PATTERN OF RADICAL-LABELED GROUP COMMUNICATION IN BENGKULU

Bengkulu Province is an area that according to a survey by the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) in 2017 has the highest potential for radicalism in Indonesia. The BNPT data is quite surprising because Bengkulu province has
never been recorded as a place of radicalism and terrorism. This research explores the causes of religious groups that are considered radical in Bengkulu
province. The method used in this research is qualitative with a case study
approach. The results of the study provide the fact that there is a growing
discourse in society that creates the image of SS s as a radical group in North
Bengkulu and Rejang Lebong districts. The SS label as a group that adheres to
radicalism can be explained from two perspectives. First, from the internal side,
this group lives exclusively and does not interact intensely with the surrounding
community. This exclusive life makes the perspectives, attitudes and behavior of
SS group members differ from those of society. Differences in viewpoints, attitudes
and actions become the embryo for conflicts with the surrounding community,
especially in terms of beliefs. Meanwhile, from the second point of view, the
surrounding community has also labeled the SS group as adherents of radicalism
without knowing what the meaning and limitations of radicalism itself are. The
role of the mass media in reporting on radical groups with several easily
recognizable symbols such as robes, veils and beards also influences people's
perceptions of the SS groups around them. This condition was further
strengthened by the labeling carried out by several religious and community
leaders who were used as references to portray SS groups. The label and image of
radicalism in the end make the SS group's relationship with the surrounding
community social distancing and foster stereotypes and prejudice