"Homeless media" and the reconstruction of the Broadcasting Bill

The transformation from “homeless” or “digital homeless” to resident media can be carried out gradually and persuasively. Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s broadcasting world is still stuck at a crossroads. More than two decades since the birth of Law Number 32 of 2002 on Broadcasting, revisions to that regulation have yet to reach a conclusion due to the sharp differences in its articles. Meanwhile, changes in the media landscape are occurring far more quickly than the regulatory capacity to keep up. People’s information consumption patterns have changed radically. Newspapers are no longer awaited as morning companions, and television and radio are no longer the only main gateways to public information. The Indonesia Digital 2026 Report shows that internet penetration in Indonesia has exceeded 79 percent of the population, while social media usage reaches more than 170 million active accounts. The majority of young generations, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha, consume information through digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X, and independent podcasts. In such a situation, the digital public space has developed into a new arena for the battle of narratives, opinions, and social influence. Under the regulatory turmoil and the shadow of the conventional broadcasting industry, a new media ecosystem has grown that is more open, fluid, and egalitarian. This medium is what some circles call homeless media. The term homeless media was first popularised by Edward Samadyo Kennedy in 2017. He defined it as a digital information entity that operates fully through social media platforms without having an “institutional home” as conventional media does. As an alternative media practitioner, Kennedy saw this phenomenon as a logical consequence of changes in public behaviour that no longer fully rely on mainstream media. We know that the strength of this media lies in its ability to conquer algorithms and build emotional closeness with audiences. However, behind that speed and agility, there are fundamental problems that cannot be ignored. Many homeless media lack clear legal protection because they are not verified as formal press institutions or official broadcasting institutions. On the other hand, algorithmic pressures often make engagement orientation override journalistic verification discipline. Phenomena such as clickbait, disinformation, title manipulation, and the spread of sensational content become real ethical challenges. In many cases, virality is valued more than accuracy. Therefore, the idea of building a New Media Forum by the Government Communication Agency becomes important as a new path towards the transformation of that digital media. This forum can serve as a transitional space so that homeless media managers not only develop professionally but also gain legitimacy in status and legal certainty.