​The Challenge of the Algorithm Era, the Press is Required to Remain Independent as the Fourth Pillar of Democracy

Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), Syauqi Soeratno. (IST)

YOGYAKARTA - The development of digital technology and changes in people's behavior in consuming information are now the biggest challenge for the world of journalism. In the midst of the onslaught of social media and rapid changes in algorithms, the national press is required to remain adaptive while maintaining its independence as the fourth pillar of democracy.

This was conveyed by Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Syauqi Soeratno when giving a speech at the Gala Dinner for the 3rd Anniversary of the Forum for the Editors of Multimedia Indonesia (FPRMI) which was held on Friday, July 17, 2026. The prestigious event was held at the DPD RI Yogyakarta Building and was attended by national and regional press figures.

In addition to the FPRMI central and provincial management, this agenda was also attended directly by Yogi Hadi Ismanto (Member of the Press Council), Hendry Ch Bangun (Former Deputy Chairman of the Press Council and also Former Chairman of the Central PWI) and Bernadus Wilson Lumi (Chairman of the Central Management of FPRMI). The central and provincial management were also present. This forum is a strategic space to dissect how national journalism must respond to the increasingly massive digital disruption.

In his presentation, Syauqi Soeratno emphasized that the current media landscape is very different from the previous era, where the information channel is still very limited to television, radio, and newspapers. The presence of social media now makes everyone able to be an information transmitter, although not a few who ignore the competence test and journalistic ethics. As a result, a phenomenon arises where the public often makes judgments (judgments) only by reading the headlines of the news without delving into the content.

One of the real challenges highlighted in the discussion is the use of social media algorithms that greatly limit the attention span of the audience. User behavior that continues to scroll the screen forces content creators to be able to attract attention in a very short time.

If a user stops for six seconds on a content, the algorithm will record it as an interest and continue to send similar content over the next few days. This phenomenon is an extraordinary challenge for public communications, including for presidential institutions and mass media, to be able to convey substantive messages in less than six seconds.

In the midst of this disruption, the essence of a healthy press must continue to run. The mass media not only competes on online platforms, but must also be able to compete in presenting quality and reliable content, without being bound by conventional limitations.

Moreover, in the era of global citizens (global citizen), public understanding of the international situation is very important. Global issues, such as the geopolitical crisis in Yemen and its impact on shipping flows, require reviews and clear information from national media.

Through the momentum of the 3rd anniversary of FPRMI, it is hoped that Indonesian journalism can continue to run healthy in the midst of the flow of change. The press must remain an independent pillar, strengthen the nation's position in the eyes of the world, and ensure that national voices and interests - including the aspirations of regions such as Yogyakarta - can be conveyed strongly and independently.