Indonesian journalists urge fair policies to support media
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 2 hours ago | JP Asia Desk
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Indonesian journalists have urged fair and non-discriminatory government policies to sustain journalism as news organizations face layoffs, industry disruption, and growing pressure from social media platforms.Summary
JAKARTA — The Indonesian Journalists Association has urged the government to adopt fair and non-discriminatory policies to help sustain journalism as the country’s media industry faces mounting economic and technological pressures.
The call was made during a media industry event in Jakarta on December 23, where journalists and media advocates discussed newsroom layoffs, declining revenues, and structural changes driven by digital platforms.
Balancing support and independence
Speakers at the event emphasized that any state involvement in supporting the media sector should avoid political influence and protect editorial independence. They warned that poorly designed interventions could undermine public trust in journalism.
The association highlighted that many news organizations are struggling to adapt to the dominance of social media platforms, which increasingly control audience reach and advertising flows, while traditional outlets absorb the costs of original reporting.
Industry disruption and policy debate
Participants said the disruption has accelerated layoffs and consolidation across Indonesia’s media landscape, raising concerns about the long-term diversity and quality of news coverage. They argued that policy responses must apply equally across the industry rather than favoring selected outlets.
Advocates also stressed the importance of transparent regulations and fair competition with global technology platforms, while maintaining clear boundaries between government support mechanisms and newsroom decision-making.
The discussion reflected a broader regional debate on how governments can help sustain public-interest journalism without compromising press freedom, as digital transformation continues to reshape media markets worldwide.
KEY POINTS:
- Indonesian journalists called for fair and non-discriminatory media policies
- The appeal was made at a Jakarta media industry event on December 23
- Newsrooms face layoffs and revenue pressure amid digital disruption
- Social media platforms were cited as a major structural challenge
- Advocates stressed protecting editorial independence alongside any state support
ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on publicly stated positions of the Indonesian Journalists Association and event discussions in Jakarta.
PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only
