Digital media challenges prompt calls for press independence and literacy in Indonesia

Digital technology and the rise of social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are presenting significant challenges to the traditional press and information consumption in Indonesia. During the inauguration of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) West Java period 2026-2031, Dedi Mulyadi noted that the digital era has allowed individuals to become content creators, which pressures print, online, and television media. He highlighted the rise of influencers and the phenomenon of 'buzzers' who can dominate public opinion through narrative manipulation rather than factual succession.

In response to these shifts, educators are emphasizing the need for digital literacy among the younger generation. Ni Komang Ratnawati, a Pancasila education teacher, has urged students to be critical and wise when consuming information to prevent the spread of hoaxes that could threaten national unity. She stressed that schools play a vital role in teaching students to verify content objectively and manage emotional responses to provocative information, ensuring that social media is used as a tool for creative and responsible contribution rather than a source of social conflict.