Optimizing Opportunities In This Challenging Year

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

Participants of the National Mass Media Convention: Opportunities in a Challenging Year take a group photo in a series of activities to commemorate National Press Day (HPN) in Medan, North Sumatra, Wednesday (8/2/2023).

MEDAN, KOMPAS – The Indonesian press faces great challenges due to digital disruption and the threat of a global economic recession. Many media companies have discontinued their print editions in favor of switching to digital platforms. There are, however, opportunities behind these challenges that can be optimized to ensure survival and even encourage development.

Communications and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate said going forward the challenges faced by the press did not only concern how quickly the media could adopt digital technology. Other challenges include whether the speed of which digital content is disseminated meets the expectations of the public or readers.

This challenge grows tougher with the rapid spread of disinformation in the digital space. Moreover, the space is also increasingly dominated by clickbait headlines.

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However, the media still plays a key role in influencing public perception. In fact, the media also still has an impact on public policy.

“Besides these challenges, there are also great challenges for the media and journalists amid digital transformation,” he said at the National Mass Media Convention: Opportunities in This Challenging Year, a seminar held on Wednesday (8/2/2023), during the commemoration of National Press Day in Medan, North Sumatra.

According to Johnny, one such opportunity the press can benefit from is the use of artificial intelligence. This has already been done by the Associated Press in the United States to increase news production. “These opportunities need to be accompanied with the adaptability of the press,” he said.

Besides these challenges, there are also great challenges for the media and journalists amid digital transformation.

To maintain a sustainable media ecosystem, a legal umbrella is needed to regulate the distribution of content on digital platforms. As such, the government has prepared a draft publisher rights bill. This bill will regulate the relationship between digital platforms and media from an economic perspective.

Atmaji Sapto Anggoro, the Press Council’s commission for research, data collection and ratification head, said there were many business models with potential for development through online media. The increase in internet users in Indonesia, which has reached 77.02 percent of the population, serves as a promising market.

Some of these business models include collaborations with local administrations, sponsorships from institutions as well as community development. There is also programmatic advertising, backlinks and paid premium content.

“If they are financially sound, they must reinforce their duties as the media. Building the media should not only be based on economics but also the ideals,” he said.

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

Discussion at the National Mass Media Convention: Opportunities in a Challenging Year on the commemoration of National Press Day (HPN) in Medan, North Sumatra, Wednesday (8/2/2023).

Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) chairman Atal S. Depari said the political year leading up to the 2024 general elections would be filled with upheaval and uncertainty, which would affect the press. This is especially true considering that several media industry owners are also political party leaders.

“Whenever there is a challenge, an opportunity also arises. All that is left is to take advantage of these opportunities while maintaining the independence and professionalism of journalists,” he said.

North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi said freedom of the press was also needed to support the development of the nation. The press plays an important role in monitoring government performance.

Collaboration

One opportunity to encourage the development of the press is to collaborate with digital platforms. Google, for example, works with a number of media and journalists through a fact-checking program to provide accurate information for the public.

“It is our mission to provide useful information that is accessible to everyone. Here, the role of the publisher [media] is very important,” said Google Indonesia News Partnership manager Yos Kusuma.

Yos added that his party is also committed to supporting a sustainable press. Thus, a number of media that lags behind in digital transformation are assisted with the optimization of advertising strategies.

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Kompas daily managing editor Adi Prinantyo said journalism faced several challenges today. For one, interviews no longer have to be done in-person due to technological advances. Moreover, inter-media networks have allowed journalists to share data amongst themselves.

“Aside from that, the flood of information also distances mainstream media from the public, excluding those who are able to adapt,” he said.

According to Adi, it is possible for mainstream media to survive amid a flood of information and digital disruption. The media, however, must maintain accuracy as well as independence, which is done by keeping a distance between the editorial office and external parties.

“Then, [the media] must produce different content. This content should differentiate the quality of the media, media products and most news,” he said.

During the 2023 National Press Day talk show themed Beware of Getting Lost in the Information Labyrinth at the University of Medan Area on Wednesday, Adi encouraged students to be prudent in filtering facts amid floods of information. With 58 percent of the world using social media, exercising prudence will allow people to consume more important and accurate information.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.