Bappenas Holds Public Consultation for Development of Quality Media Industry

JAKARTA – The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas held a public consultation on policy recommendations for developing a responsible, educational, honest, objective, and sustainable media industry (BEJO'S) on Monday (12/16). 

The event brought together key stakeholders, including Bagir Manan, Chair of the Press Council 2010–2016; Dadang Rahmat Hidayat, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Padjadjaran University; Bambang Harymurti, Commissioner of TEMPO Media Group; and Dahlan Dahi, CEO of Tribun Network.

Mass media plays a strategic role in supporting the creation of substantive democracy, which involves meaningful participation from all levels of society. Nuzula Anggeraini, Director of Politics and Communication at Bappenas, emphasized the importance of substantive democracy in achieving the Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision.

“Building substantive democracy requires meaningful participation from all societal layers and a conducive public space. In this context, the role of the media becomes crucial. Media must function responsibly, educationally, honestly, and objectively, serving as a channel for the people's aspirations and a vital element in the system of checks and balances,” stated Director Raini.

However, the sustainability of mass media currently faces challenges due to the dominance of digital platforms, regulatory disparities, low media literacy, and financial crises. The rise of digital technology has transformed consumption patterns, forcing conventional media to compete with digital platforms that dominate the advertising market. Over the past five years, more than 100 print media companies have closed due to declining revenues and high production costs. Regulatory disparities between conventional and digital media also present significant challenges, as traditional media is subject to laws governing content, journalistic ethics, and advertising, while digital platforms operate with minimal regulation.

In response, the government has issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 32 of 2024 on the Responsibility of Digital Platform Companies to Support Quality Journalism, known as Publisher Rights. This regulation mandates digital platforms to provide financial contributions to local media. The implementation of this policy is expected to financially benefit local media and strengthen quality journalism.

The policy recommendations formulated in this forum are based on in-depth discussions and interviews with various stakeholders, including government representatives, academics, and media industry players. The recommendations include strengthening human resources in media, implementing media and digital literacy programs, fostering technological innovation, promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration in the media sector, and enhancing the role of media as a guardian of national culture and identity.

“Today’s public consultation is a strategic step to ensure that the future of Indonesian media can serve as a strong pillar in building a more intelligent, fair, and dignified society. We hope today’s discussions will produce solid policy recommendations for sustainable media development. Let us work together to create a media ecosystem that reflects our national values and can compete on the global stage,” concluded Director Raini.