Copyright Law Bill Protects Not Just Music But Also Journalistic Works

Jakarta — The revised Copyright Law being drafted by Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) protects not only musical works but also journalistic works amid digital technology developments.

DPR Chair Puan Maharani stated that strengthening protections for journalistic works is one of the key points in the bill concerning amendments to Law No. 28 of 2014. “This is so that quality journalism can continue to survive amid digital disruption,” said Puan at the DPR building on Thursday (12 March 2026).

She believes digital platforms should become fair partners for creators, not merely entities that benefit from creative works without providing compensation. “This Copyright Law bill is being drafted to address the challenges of the developing digital era, so that protections for creators and creative workers become stronger and more relevant,” said Puan.

“We want to ensure that every creator—musicians, writers, artists, journalists, and other creative workers—receive fair recognition and economic benefits for their works,” Puan explained.

In addition to strengthening protections for creators, the revised Copyright Law also begins to regulate the relationship between artificial intelligence and copyright. According to Puan, this provision represents an adaptive step so that technological development does not sacrifice creators’ rights.

“The nation’s cultural wealth in the form of traditional cultural expression is preserved and inventoried by the state, so it remains sustainable and its value protected,” she concluded.

DPR Legislative Body (Baleg) Chair Bob Hasan emphasised that the Copyright Law bill regulates how every work has exclusive rights attached to the creator or owner, including journalistic works produced by media organisations. “So essentially exclusive rights are attached there. Every work, whether it’s a song or journalism and so forth, must have protection. Actually this copyright law is mainly about protection—protection of the resulting work which then has those exclusive rights attached,” said Bob at the DPR building on Thursday (12 March 2026).

According to him, in practice, such use may also be related to royalty payment obligations.