In an age where the digital landscape is increasingly cluttered with misleading narratives, the responsibility of reliable journalism has never been more vital. Benny Siga Butarbutar, the President Director of Indonesia’s national news agency, ANTARA, recently sounded a clarion call regarding the existential threat posed by mass disinformation. Speaking from Jakarta following a productive budget hearing with the House of Representatives, Benny emphasized that the fight against digital falsehoods is not merely a journalistic preference but a foundational requirement for the health of a democracy. He argues that the rapid evolution of information technology has transformed the news environment into a volatile space where unchecked rumors can destabilize public trust with alarming speed.
To tackle this systemic problem, Benny is advocating for a robust, top-down approach through the issuance of a presidential regulation. The rationale is simple yet profound: without a clear legal framework and structured authority, efforts to combat hoaxes remain fragmented and often reactive. By formalizing the role of state-owned media in this national mission, the government could provide the necessary backbone for a more aggressive and coordinated defense of the truth. For Benny, this is about ensuring that media outlets are not just writing the news, but actively acting as guardians of the public interest, equipped with the official standing to debunk falsehoods before they take root in the national consciousness.
However, a top-down mandate is only one piece of the puzzle; Benny stresses that the real-world solution lies in deep, strategic collaboration. Combatting disinformation is far too complex for any single agency to manage alone. He envisions a grand alliance between national media, local press players, and even international news agencies. By pooling resources, expertise, and fact-checking data, these entities could create a unified front against digital noise. The goal is to move beyond institutional silos and create a collaborative network where information integrity is the guiding principle, ensuring that the public has access to factual, life-improving content regardless of where they turn for their news.
Amidst this ambitious agenda to safeguard the truth, there is the concurrent challenge of operational sustainability. In his discussions with lawmakers, Benny highlighted that despite the immense pressure to modernize and maintain high journalistic standards, state-owned broadcasters and news agencies must remain models of fiscal creativity. Efficiency and innovation are the hallmarks of a modern media operation, and he underscored that the agency is committed to maximizing its impact without relying solely on expanding bureaucratic budgets. The parliamentary consensus reached during the meeting confirmed that there is an expectation for state media to be both lean in their operations and broad in their reach, pushing the limits of what a national agency can achieve.
The financial performance of ANTARA provides a sturdy foundation for these strategic goals. Benny reported a period of impressive growth, with the agency witnessing a significant climb in operating revenue from Rp453.93 billion in 2024 to an impressive Rp500.47 billion in 2025. This financial stability is not just a win for the agency’s balance sheet; it is a vital indicator of its ability to thrive in a competitive media market while staying true to its primary mandate. By maintaining consistent profitability, the organization is better positioned to invest in the technology and human capital required to combat disinformation effectively, proving that a publicly spirited news agency can indeed be commercially viable.
Ultimately, ANTARA’s role extends beyond just reporting the news; it represents a commitment to the nation’s economic and democratic development. The fact that the agency contributed nearly Rp70 billion in various taxes back to the state in 2025 underscores a circular economy of national service: the state supports the media, and the media, in return, fosters stability and growth. As the agency looks toward the future, aligning its comprehensive coverage with national agendas like the “Asta Cita” program, its path is clear. By blending moral duty—the battle against misinformation—with fiscal responsibility, the leadership at ANTARA is positioning itself to lead the Indonesian media landscape through the challenges of the digital age with transparency and integrity.