The Press Council Urges the Government to Withdraw the Article on Trade between Indonesia and the United States that Threatens the Media

The Press Council asked the government to revoke two clauses in the Indonesia-United States ART that threaten the national press ecosystem. (VOI Doc)

JAKARTA - The Press Council has asked the government to revoke two clauses in the Indonesia-United States Reciprocal Trade Agreement which are considered to directly threaten the national press ecosystem. The two points concern the opening of foreign capital up to 100 percent in the publishing sector and limiting the role of the state in regulating digital platforms to support the media.

In a statement received by the editorial board and signed by the Chairman of the Press Council Prof. Dr. Komaruddin Hidayat in Jakarta, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the institution assessed that the contents of the agreement signed in Washington DC on February 19, 2026 had the potential to collide with the rules in force in Indonesia.

The first highlight is on Article 2.28 which essentially asks Indonesia to open foreign investment without ownership restrictions for US investors in a number of sectors, including issuance. For the Press Council, this clause means paving the way for foreign ownership of up to 100 percent in the media sector, especially for US investors.

The problem is, the provision is considered not in line with Law Number 32 of 2002 concerning Broadcasting which limits foreign capital in broadcasting institutions to a maximum of 20 percent. Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press also opens up opportunities for foreign capital through the capital market, but does not allow majority ownership.

The second point is in Article 3.3. In this clause, the Indonesian government is asked to refrain from requiring digital service providers from the United States to support domestic news organizations through paid licenses, sharing user data, and profit sharing. The Press Council considers this provision to collide with Presidential Decree Number 32 of 2024 which actually requires digital platforms to support quality journalism through cooperation with press companies.

If left alone, said the Press Council, the Presidential Decree could lose its force. Cooperation between platforms and media is still possible, but only as a business relationship between corporations, not an obligation.

Therefore, the Press Council asked the government to revoke the 100 percent foreign ownership clause in the publishing sector and delete Article 3.3. For the Press Council, the state is obliged to keep the press healthy in business, produce quality journalism, and be protected so that it can carry out its function as the fourth pillar of democracy.