Indonesia’s Media Faces Growing Challenges Under New Leadership
Indonesia’s media landscape is shifting dramatically as new political forces reshape the flow of information. Concerns are rising over potential restrictions on press freedom, with a backdrop of technological change, economic pressure, and evolving audience habits.
Press Freedom Concerns Mount
Following the election of Prabowo Subianto as President in October 2024, apprehension spread about possible constraints on investigative journalism and open expression. Civil society groups voiced worry regarding comments made by the president about “foreign-funded media,” seeing them as indicators of democratic backsliding and illiberal populism.
The use of social media outstripped print and television for news consumption after Subianto’s election. While legacy media experienced a short-term boost during the February election, interest in news across all sources, including digital platforms and social media, decreased overall.
A year after his election, Prabowo accused foreign-funded media of trying to “divide” the country. The same day, protestors called on the Indonesian Press Council to take action against Tempo, accusing the publication of acting in the interest of financier George Soros.
Weeks later, a severed pig’s head was delivered to Francisca Christy Rosana, co-host of Tempo’s podcast, Bocor Alus Politik. This publication, a globally recognized media brand, was famously banned in 1994 and then returned to print in 1998 when Soeharto’s rule ended, ushering in the Reform Era.
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Economic and Technological Shifts
Indonesian media organizations are also facing financial difficulties. The new president’s platform included a school-based free lunch program, which necessitated a significant budget cut. This decision had an unforeseen effect on news organizations, as government advertising decreased at both national and provincial levels. Consequently, media outlets started testing new partnerships, e-payment models, and the use of artificial intelligence.
In April 2023, TVOne unveiled TVOneAI, which is now present on multiple social media platforms, advertising itself as “the first artificial intelligence-supported media in Indonesia”. Likewise, Liputan6 uses AI for fact-checking, sports, and global news. Some journalists worry about job losses, yet others are more optimistic, pointing out that AI presenters cannot replace real-world reporting.
Legal Challenges to Expression
The erosion of legal protections for freedom of expression is prompting unease among journalists and civil society groups. Planned revisions to Indonesia’s 2002 Broadcasting Bill propose strict controls over digital journalism, specifically targeting investigative reporting and content related to a digital platform’s owner’s political interests.
The new Criminal Code, set to replace existing law derived from the Dutch colonial era, is set to be implemented in less than a year. The Indonesian Press Council has noted that the new legislation contains 17 articles that could pose a threat to press freedom.
These events follow other instances of diminished digital expression in Indonesia, including the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE), as well as Ministerial Regulation 5 (MR5). This regulation gives the government the authority to regulate private electronic systems operators, Indonesian platforms, and multinational companies.
Social Media Dominance
Social media platforms, like WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, enjoy widespread use in Indonesia. A notable 57% of Indonesians now get their news from these sources. TikTok saw a significant increase in use as a news source, jumping up 5 percentage points to 34%.
While many Indonesians are reluctant to pay for news, certain experiments with novel models are taking place. Tempo, for instance, has collaborated with provincial media such as The Aceh Post, enabling content sharing and bundled subscriptions.
According to a 2024 report from the Reuters Institute, Indonesia’s overall trust in news remains low, with only 43% of citizens believing most news sources are trustworthy. (Reuters Institute Report 2024).
The Future of Indonesian Media
The Indonesian media scene is rapidly changing, influenced by political shifts, economic challenges, and the rise of digital platforms. Concerns over press freedom, combined with technological advancements, suggest the future will be complex, requiring adaptation and resilience.
