ANTARA must be guardian of facts in digital era: Meutya Hafid

Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid emphasized the strategic role of ANTARA News Agency as the frontline guardian of facts and information integrity amid the growing spread of misinformation in the digital era.

"ANTARA must serve as a guardian of facts, support national development priorities, connect the state with its people, and become Indonesia's narrator to the world," Hafid said at ANTARA's 2026 National Working Meeting here on Friday.

The remarks were delivered during the meeting themed "Strengthening ANTARA's Strategic Role in the National Information Ecosystem and Digital Media Business Transformation."

The minister highlighted a major challenge facing today's information ecosystem: the proliferation of various online media outlets that have not been verified by the Press Council. Amid a flood of information often driven by emotion and clickbait, she also urged ANTARA to remain committed to the journalistic ethics.

"The ANTARA logo carries strong credibility and is trusted by the public. This high level of trust is an extraordinary asset that must not be undermined by inaccurate or unverified reports," said the former journalist.

Regarding operational support, Hafid affirmed the government's commitment to maintaining the Public Service Obligation (PSO) budget for ANTARA and pursuing increases despite budget-efficiency measures across various sectors.

She described the policy as a reflection of the state's commitment to ensuring ANTARA's presence throughout the country.

"The PSO must continue with the same spirit and even be strengthened. We must ensure that the information reaching the public is accurate, in line with the mandate of Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution," she said.

The minister also encouraged ANTARA to continue its digital transformation without compromising accuracy. She expressed hope that the agency would continue translating the government's development vision into factual, clear, and accessible narratives for the public.

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Translator: Sutarmi, Kenzu

Editor: M Razi Rahman

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