Analysis Of Online Media Coverage of The Alleged “Foundation Farming” Scheme in The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program

Abstract

The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is a strategic social policy of President Prabowo Subianto's administration, designed to fulfill the nutritional rights of vulnerable groups, particularly school-age children. However, beneath the program's social ambition, allegations of a "foundation farming" practice emerged whereby certain parties systematically established multiple foundations to manage more than one MBG kitchen simultaneously, maximizing program fund acquisition. This study aims to analyze how national online media constructed news coverage of this issue using Robert N. Entman's framing analysis framework. A qualitative approach grounded in critical paradigm was employed to examine news texts from Kompas.com, Detik Finance, and iNews.id published between April 2025 and March 2026. Analysis was conducted through four Entman framing elements: define problems, diagnose causes, make moral judgement, and treatment recommendation. Findings reveal that the three media outlets constructed the same reality with divergent emphases: Kompas.com highlighted social impacts and governance failures affecting beneficiaries, while Detik Finance and iNews.id foregrounded opportunistic behavior by implementing partners and regulatory loopholes. Despite differing in framing, all three media converged on the view that the MBG program should be preserved and accompanied by structural reforms and strengthened oversight mechanisms. These findings imply the need for a responsive and proactive policy communication strategy from the government in addressing media discourse dynamics.