SMSI Awaiting National Meeting to Determine Stance on Indonesia-US Trade Agreement
SMSI has not yet issued an official statement, either rejecting or accepting the agreement. We have only attended discussion forums and have not made any institutional decisions,” said SMSI Secretary-General Makali Umar in a written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.
The point in the agreement that has drawn attention is the Requirements for Digital Service Providers. The provision states that Indonesia must refrain from requiring US digital service providers to support domestic news organizations through paid licenses, data sharing, or profit-sharing models.
Some in the press believe that this clause could weaken efforts to build a healthy press ecosystem, particularly in the context of strengthening publisher rights regulations and the responsibility of digital platforms for the sustainability of quality journalism.
Makali said that his attendance at the meeting held by the Committee for Corporate Responsibility of Digital Platforms to Support Quality Journalism (KTP2JB) at the Press Council Hall, Jakarta, on Tuesday (February 24) was a form of participation in response to an invitation, not a representation of the organization’s official stance.
According to him, the views expressed in the forum were personal. SMSI’s official decision will be determined at a National Leadership Meeting (Rapim) in the near future.
Meanwhile, SMSI Chairman Firdaus stated that the organization he leads is still awaiting the results of internal discussions before issuing an official statement.
“We will discuss it comprehensively in the National Meeting so that the decisions taken are truly a shared agreement,” said Firdaus.
He explained that at the SMSI National Working Meeting (Rakernas) on February 7, 2026, a number of strategic steps were decided, including:
Not actively participating in discussions on publisher rights.
Encouraging the government to establish laws and regulations on digital sovereignty.
Encouraging the government to build a platform in the near future to promote Indonesian digital sovereignty, by integrating the ANTARA News Agency, RRI, and TVRI into a platform that serves as a means of communication between the government and the public.
Proposing that the platform can monetize national cyber media to support the revival of the digital media business in the country.
Requesting support for shared server facilities to integrate SMSI members throughout Indonesia for the sustainability of the national digital ecosystem.
Thus, according to him, the upcoming National Meeting will be a momentum to synchronize the results of the National Working Meeting and the latest dynamics, including the implications of the Indonesia-US trade agreement for the national media industry.
“We will invite all provincial chairpersons to the National Meeting, which will also be combined with a gathering and breaking of the fast with the Advisory Board on the commemoration of SMSI’s anniversary, March 7, 2026,” he said.