Framing Pesantren Etiquette as Feudalism: A Juridical and Islamic Legal Analysis of the Controversy Surrounding Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School and the Xpose Uncensored Broadcast

Abstract

Study purpose. This study aims to analyze the shift in meaning (framing) of pesantren etiquette into a narrative of feudalism in the digital public sphere, as well as examine the controversy of the Xpose Uncensored Trans7 program regarding Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School from the perspective of positive law (ITE Law) and Islamic law.

Materials and methods. This study uses a qualitative method with a juridical-normative approach and comparative analysis. Data were collected through document studies of legislation, classical book literature such as the book Adabul ‘Alim wal Muta’allim, and tracking social media content and television broadcasts that became the object of the dispute.

Result. The results of the study indicate that the program conducted negative framing by contrasting the tradition of student service (khidmah) with the issue of human exploitation. From a juridical perspective, the content meets the elements of defamation and broadcasting ethics violations due to a lack of verification. Meanwhile, in Islamic law, such actions are categorized as slander that damages the honor of religious educational institutions.

Conclusion. This polemic illustrates the gap in understanding between the ethical-normative values of pesantren and the logic of mass media. Protecting pesantren traditions requires strong digital literacy and fair law enforcement to maintain harmony between freedom of expression and respect for religious institutions.