The era when mainstream media served as the primary source of information for the public has ended. Today, when important events occur such as political issues, the public tends to first seek information through social media platforms, watch short videos, listen to podcasts, or follow the views of influencers and trusted figures, rather than turning to television, radio, or newspapers.
This shift is not merely a matter of technology or changes in information consumption habits. Underlying this phenomenon is a fundamental issue: the credibility of mainstream media. According to the Reuters Institute's Digital News Report 2026, Indonesian public trust in media has declined from 39 per cent in 2021 to 36 per cent in 2025, falling further to 32 per cent in 2026—far below the global average of 37 per cent.
This decline in credibility is closely linked to media ownership issues. Many media outlets are managed by groups with various economic and political interests, raising public doubts about the objectivity of reporting. This situation is worsened by drastic changes in media business models since the public shifted to digital platforms, which has eroded advertising revenue and forced media to chase traffic and engagement quickly.
This commercial pressure drives a practice known as churnalism—the rapid production of news through recycling press releases or social media content without independent reporting, investigation, or adequate fact-checking. As a result, media often sacrifice depth and context for speed, leaving the public receiving more news but understanding less about these issues.
This paradox reflects a deeper crisis. When the public is trapped in a flood of information, their trust in media actually declines, threatening the function of the press as the fourth pillar of democracy and a public institution that provides context and social oversight.
