IJTI Warns of Risks to Broadcasting Industry from ART Agreement
The Indonesia-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) has sparked concerns regarding national media sovereignty. The scheme, which opens up Indonesian media to 100% foreign investment, is seen as potentially altering the direction of the broadcasting industry and public information flows.
The Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) views the provisions in the ART as capable of amplifying threats from foreign media to local players. The impacts extend beyond business, touching on reporting independence and the quality of democracy.
The issue was discussed in a meeting between IJTI and the Chairman of the Democratic Party Faction in the Indonesian House of Representatives, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas), at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan on Tuesday (14/4/2026).
IJTI’s Deputy General Chairman, Wahyu Triyogo, warned of the risks of foreign dominance in Indonesia’s broadcasting industry.
“Cooperation under the ART that opens foreign investment up to 100% in the broadcasting ecosystem has the potential to threaten domestic information sovereignty,” he stated.
According to him, without firm regulations, control over information could shift to external parties. Such a situation risks eroding national information sovereignty and weakening the media’s role as a pillar of democracy.
“Media is not just a business. Its role is strategic in safeguarding democracy and national sovereignty,” said Wahyu.
He urged synergy among the government, industry, and society to ensure the digital space is not dominated by certain interests.
“We must ensure the digital space is filled with accurate and responsible information. Public digital literacy is key so that society can filter information,” stated Ibas.
He also reminded of the rampant misuse of digital platforms, from disinformation to cyberbullying. This condition indicates that user protection must go hand in hand with strengthening the industry.
The impact of the ART on Indonesian media must be anticipated through policies that protect domestic players without closing off investment opportunities.
Amid digital media disruption, the direction of regulations will determine the resilience of the national industry. Without swift action, the threat of foreign investment to national media could grow larger and influence the face of information received by the public.