AKTIVITAS JURNALIS LOKAL DALAM MENDOKUMENTASIKAN DAN MEMBERITAKAN PROSES UPACARA ADAT MA'NENE DI TORAJA UTARA

Indonesia is a country rich in culture, ethnicities, customs, and traditions. One of the traditions that is still preserved to this day is the Ma’nene customary ceremony, especially in North Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi Province. Ma’nene is a tradition of honoring ancestors by cleaning and changing the clothes of the deceased, as a form of love and affection from the family and respect for the deceased. The existence and profound meaning of this tradition are not widely known, especially among people outside of Toraja. With the presence of local journalists, it becomes very important to document and report on these traditional ceremonies. Through the activities of local journalists who prioritize ethics and strong visual approaches, journalists not only convey information but also help introduce, preserve, and promote local wisdom, which is an important part of cultural heritage.

This research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive research type and a case study research basis. Data collection techniques used interviews, observations, and documentation with 5 (five) subjects. All data were analyzed using Robert K. Yin's data analysis concept, with data validity tested using data triangulation techniques.

The results of the research on the activities of local journalists in documenting and reporting the Ma’nene traditional ceremony process in North Toraja concluded that information from various reliable sources, the selection of relevant informants, and the use of detailed documentation techniques, strong visuals, and digital platforms were employed. In addition, local journalists also uphold journalistic ethics by conveying information accurately, fairly, and respecting local cultural values.