The Indonesian Presidential Palace has come under scrutiny following comments from the Head of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom), Muhammad Qodari, regarding a plan to engage with ‘homeless media’ or ‘new media’ platforms. Political communication experts suggest that this strategy is intended to expand the government’s reach, particularly among younger generations who primarily consume information through social media.
As digital habits shift, the government is attempting to modernize its communication strategy by partnering with platforms that resonate more effectively with digital-savvy audiences. Wasisto Raharjo Jati, a political communication expert at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), believes this initiative is an attempt to foster greater engagement between the government and netizens. According to Wasisto, the strategy involves packaging government policies in a more contemporary, approachable tone to avoid the impression of being overly formal or rigid.
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While Wasisto acknowledges the potential benefits of making government information more accessible and simpler for the public, he also points to significant risks. He noted that these platforms face a dilemma: they must balance the pressure to post state-sanctioned content with the need to maintain interest from a critical public. He warns that if these media outlets—which often focus on specific niches like lifestyle, entertainment, or science—shift their editorial focus too heavily toward government content, they risk alienating their core audiences and eroding the emotional connection they have worked hard to build.
Echoing these concerns, Kunto Adi Wibowo, a political communication expert at Padjadjaran University, argues that the Bakom initiative could be counterproductive. Following the confusion surrounding the meeting between Bakom and the Indonesia New Media Forum (INMF), Kunto noted that the public perception—whether accurate or not—is that these independent media outlets are being co-opted or even bought by the government. This perception threatens to diminish the credibility of outlets previously known for their critical stance.
“What Bakom is doing risks delegitimizing the very media outlets they are inviting, which explains why many of these platforms felt the need to issue swift clarifications,” Kunto stated. He urged the government to focus on transparent and accountable communication rather than adopting strategies reminiscent of past administrations, which often sparked public backlash.
Reaffirming Independence
Following Qodari’s announcement of his intent to engage with the digital sector, several platforms under the Indonesia New Media Forum (INMF) umbrella moved quickly to clarify their positions. These outlets explicitly denied claims that they had been recruited by the government.
The controversy stemmed from a meeting at the Bakom office in Central Jakarta on July 5. By the following day, prominent platforms such as USS Feeds and Folkative issued statements on Instagram, firmly distancing themselves from any government partnership. USS Feeds stated that they had never held meetings or reached any agreements with Bakom, emphasizing their commitment to independence and public advocacy. Folkative released a similar statement, confirming they are not an official government partner and remain dedicated to maintaining editorial integrity.
The INMF committee also weighed in, issuing a four-point statement clarifying that no commitments or partnerships had been formed with Bakom. They further explained that the list of media outlets circulating in the public domain was merely an industry mapping of the digital ecosystem, rather than a list of official members. “Independence is the primary asset of new media. Without public trust, our existence has no meaning,” the committee wrote.
The Government’s Rationale
In a press conference, Qodari described the Indonesia New Media Forum as a collaborative hub for digital entities that have transitioned from independent status to broader new media players. The list of platforms mentioned by Qodari included a wide range of popular outlets, such as Folkative, Indozone, Dagelan, Indomusikgram, Infipop, USS Feeds, and many others, totaling dozens of digital brands.
Qodari defended the initiative, arguing that fostering collaboration is essential for improving content quality and enhancing the effectiveness of government public communication. “Given the reality that these new media outlets possess a massive following—potentially reaching 100 million followers with billions of monthly views—we believe that engaging with them is the best path forward,” Qodari stated.
Summary
The Indonesian Presidential Palace, through the Government Communication Agency (Bakom), is seeking to partner with “homeless media” or independent digital platforms to modernize its communication strategy and better reach younger audiences. Experts argue that while this initiative aims to make government policies more approachable and engaging, it carries significant risks of eroding public trust. There are concerns that such partnerships could compromise the credibility of independent outlets, as the public may perceive them as being co-opted or state-aligned.
Following these announcements, several prominent digital media platforms, including USS Feeds and Folkative, explicitly denied any formal agreements with the government to reaffirm their editorial independence. The Indonesia New Media Forum also clarified that the discussed engagement was merely an industry mapping exercise rather than an official partnership. Ultimately, while the government views these platforms as essential for effective outreach, critics emphasize that maintaining institutional integrity and transparency is far more important for long-term public trust.
