KPI Calls for Broadcaster Collaboration to Counter Hoaxes and Boost Public Trust Ahead of 2026 Economic Census
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Various instances of public rejection of the 2026 Economic Census are thought to be the result of less-than-optimal public communication by the organisers. Minimal outreach has made people’s concerns about the census excessive, a situation further aggravated by hoaxes circulating on social media. In fact, the existence of broadcast institutions (television and radio) could help organisers publicise the importance of the census to the public.
“The success of the census depends not only on field officers, but also on the success of public communication. The better broadcast institutions provide education, the higher the public participation rate in the census. This case could follow the example of what the election organisers did previously through massive outreach via broadcast institutions,” said Central KPI Commissioner Tulus Santoso, responding to the circulation of hoaxes about the 2026 Economic Census in Jakarta on Monday (3/8/2026).
According to Tulus, outreach is essential to ensure public trust in the census programme. “The public needs to know how to recognise official officers, understand the purpose of the census, and be assured that the data provided is guaranteed to remain confidential,” he explained, as quoted from a press release.
He proposed that the government, in this case Statistics Indonesia (BPS), involve broadcast institutions to ensure the success of the census programme.
“There are thousands of broadcast institutions in Indonesia. Moreover, their reach extends to the regions and this medium remains a trusted source of information for the public,” Tulus asserted.
Several effective outreach models through broadcast institutions could take the form of public service advertisements (ILM), talk show programmes, or even be embedded within entertainment programmes.
“If these census messages are conveyed intensively through the improvisation and creativity of broadcast media, they will certainly be easily accepted by the public. People will then understand and will welcome census officers into their homes,” said Tulus.
On this occasion, Tulus emphasised that quality data can only come from quality information. For this reason, he continued, broadcast media plays an important role in building public trust in the 2026 Economic Census.
“Public participation begins with understanding. And understanding is built through information that is accurate, balanced, and easy to comprehend. So collaboration between the media and census organisers becomes extremely important,” he concluded.