The event was attended by students, lecturers, and researchers from various disciplines. The seminar was organised with the aim of discussing the dynamics of contemporary communication in the context of media, Islam, and popular culture, as well as how this transformation affects authority in society.

The event was opened with remarks from the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (Fishum) UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr Moch. Sodik, M.Si. In his speech, Dr Sodik emphasised the importance of understanding changes in communication and how the media affects public perceptions of Islam and popular culture. He stated, ‘The communication transformation we are experiencing today has a significant impact on various aspects of life, including how we understand and interpret religious and cultural values. Therefore, discussions like this are essential to create a more comprehensive insight.’

The seminar featured keynote speaker Dr Sophia Arjana from Western Kentucky University, USA, who is known as an expert in the study of religion and popular culture. In her presentation, Dr Arjana discussed how popular media influences global perceptions of Islam. She explained that representations of Islam in the media are often distorted by narratives shaped by political and economic interests. ‘The media has great power in shaping public opinion and is often used as a tool to control the narrative about Islam. It is important for us to be critical of the information presented and seek more objective sources,’ said Dr Arjana.

Dr Fatma Dian Pratiwi, a lecturer at UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Communication Studies Program, was also a guest speaker at this seminar. Dr Fatma discussed the transformation of communication in Indonesia, especially in the context of popular culture and social media. According to Dr Fatma, social media has become the main platform for young people to express their identities, including religious identities. ‘Popular culture and social media play an important role in the formation of identity and authority among the younger generation. We are seeing a shift from traditional authority to more decentralised authority,’ she said.

The seminar was moderated by Fahrurrazy, M.A., an academic with expertise in media and communication studies. Fahrurrazy guided the discussion carefully, ensuring that each speaker was able to present their views comprehensively. After the presentations from both speakers, the session continued with a panel discussion and Q&A. The seminar participants actively asked questions and gave their views, creating a dynamic and interactive discussion.
Conclusion and Closing

In closing the event, Dr Moch. Sodik expressed his gratitude to the speakers and participants who had actively participated in the seminar. He emphasised that this seminar is expected to open new insights and encourage further research on communication transformation and authority shift in the context of media, Islam, and popular culture.

This generale seminar is proof of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's commitment in studying contemporary issues relevant to the development of society and technology. With discussions like this, it is hoped that a deeper understanding of how the media affects perceptions and authority in the context of Islam and popular culture can be created, and make a positive contribution to the development of communication science in Indonesia.

This event also had a significant impact on UIN Sunan Kalijaga Communication Science students. Through this seminar, they not only gained theoretical insights but also practical applications of the concepts discussed. The opportunity to interact directly with international experts such as Dr Sophia Arjana provided valuable learning experiences and expanded their academic network. Hopefully, this seminar can inspire students to conduct further research and contribute to the global discussion on media, Islam, and popular culture.

The seminar generale held by UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Communication Studies Program on 20 May 2024 successfully presented an in-depth discussion on communication transformation and shifting authority in the context of media, Islam, and popular culture. With the active participation of speakers and participants, the event successfully achieved its goal of creating a more comprehensive understanding and encouraging further research in this area.