Indonesia Weighs a New Bill to Level the Playing Field with Big Tech
A draft law is on the table that would oblige tech titans like Facebook and Google to sit down with news outlets and share the pie more fairly. The idea was sparked by an Australian rule that’s shaking up the media world down under.
What’s the Deal?
- Negotiation Hub: A new agency would act as the middleman between media companies and the tech giants.
- Revenue Swap: The goal is to make sure news sites that churn out solid journalism get a bigger slice of the advertising income.
- Content Filters: Big tech would also have to step up and weed out misinformation to protect the headlines.
Why It Matters
Online headlines aren’t just about clicks—they affect how big companies spend their money on ads. If a story pops up at the top of a Google search or on a Facebook feed, more eyeballs, more revenue for the news site. But the current system often rewards the sensational, not the thoughtful.
Statements from the Front Lines
- Wenseslaus Manggut, AMSI Chairman: “Clickbait pays more than quality journalism right now. We’re trying to keep the news honest.”
- Amir Suherlan, Wavemaker Indonesia MD: “Half of Indonesia’s digital ad income lands in Facebook and Google’s pockets.”
- Usman Kansong, Communications Ministry: “If it becomes law, we hope it boosts the earnings of reputable outlets.”
Lessons from the Australian Experiment
Australia’s new law, which kicked in March, requires Facebook and Alphabet’s Google to strike deals with local media when their content drives traffic and ads to those sites.
But the Australian tweak isn’t a silver bullet either. Ross Tapsell, media lecturer at ANU warned:
“The bigger players with political clout are likely to get the most benefit. What about the small, independent voices that truly serve the public interest? Will they get a cut of the pie?”
Next Steps
The draft hasn’t yet hit parliament, and neither Facebook nor Google has spoken up. If the bill makes it through, Indonesia could see a shift in how digital revenue flows—potentially giving better pay to outlets that keep the news honest.
