ABSTRACT
This study examines the commodification of content and workers in Tempo Magazine using Vincent Mosco's critical paradigm and a qualitative approach. The research focuses on the political economy of media in Tempo Magazine, employing an instrumental case study method to gain an in-depth understanding of specific issues within a real-life context. The findings reveal that Tempo Magazine adopts a unique approach by implementing the “story behind the news” concept in its content. This is reflected in the choice of diction, including terms such as “kusut,” “kubu Banteng,” “partai merah,” “wong cilik,” “bancakan,” “upeti,” “cokok,” “rusuh,” “lancung,” and “digelontor,” particularly in the Main Report Rubric, which achieves an average circulation of 120,000 copies, highlighting content commodification. Regarding worker commodification, Tempo Magazine journalists face irregular working hours, insufficient wages, and multiple overlapping responsibilities. The study concludes that Tempo Magazine's editorial team, under the guise of noble journalism, operates within a political economy framework, strategically highlighting social assistance corruption cases as central themes in the Main Report and Opinion Column.
