Media Resilience Bolsters Defense Against Disinformation

TABANAN — Our digital space is not in a good state. The threat is no longer limited to government website hacks, but includes massive disinformation infiltration that could undermine national stability. This phenomenon has forced Indonesia to place media resilience as a vital pillar in the concept of total defense. Data from the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) shows alarming figures. Throughout 2025, around 5.5 billion cyberattacks were recorded. That number surged sharply by 714 percent compared with the annual average in the 2020-2024 period. The trend continued in early 2026, with 1.5 billion attacks recorded in just the first three months. This situation is more than just statistics on paper. The real impact of these attacks has spread to banking services, population data, and citizens’ conversations on social media. When digital infrastructure weakens, public trust in the state also erodes. That is why strengthening cyber defense is no longer merely a technical matter, but an effort to protect national information sovereignty.

Synergy to Face Cyber Threats

The government realizes it cannot work alone. Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman stressed that cross-sector synergy is non-negotiable so that every digital disruption can be handled quickly and in an integrated manner. According to him, public participation is also crucial, from digital literacy to awareness of protecting personal data on social media. "Cybersecurity is a collective responsibility. Without awareness from the individual level to corporations, security gaps will always remain open to those who want to profit from information chaos," Dudung said in a strategic discussion. On the technical side, BSSN continues to address existing vulnerabilities. Andri Pancoro, BSSN Deputy for Cybersecurity and Government and Human Development Cryptography Security, warned that public service digitalization should not merely chase app speed. Every process must be protected by a strong information security system. Of the 5.5 billion cyber traffic anomalies last year, around 93 percent were malicious attempts such as personal data theft and hacking of critical accounts. Digitalization certainly makes life easier. But the risk of data leaks is a shadow that cannot be ignored. BSSN is now pushing for stricter encryption in essential sectors such as health and education.

Professional Media as a Bulwark of Democracy

Beyond cyber infrastructure, media resilience is a crucial issue that should not be underestimated. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria highlighted that a weakening mainstream media industry will have a negative impact on the quality of our digital democracy. Technological disruption and changes in global platform algorithms have depressed media revenue, ultimately threatening the survival of quality journalism. Imagine if local media in the regions were to shut down one by one. Who would monitor local government policies? Who would verify rumors in residents’ WhatsApp groups? Losing mainstream media means allowing the public sphere to be flooded with unfiltered junk information. Based on data from the Indonesian Cyber Media Association (AMSI), the use of artificial intelligence features in search engines has caused traffic to a number of media outlets to drop by up to tenfold. This phenomenon has triggered major efficiency measures across many press companies. Local media have also been forced to streamline their newsrooms, which automatically reduces their capacity for in-depth reporting. The government is trying to balance the ecosystem through Presidential Regulation No. 32 of 2024 on the Responsibility of Digital Platform Companies to Support Quality Journalism, known as Publisher Rights. The policy is expected to serve as a safety net so that the relationship between global platforms and the local media industry becomes fairer. In other words, there is compensation for journalistic work that has long been "sucked up" by algorithms without proper return.

Toward a Sovereign Digital Space

Building resilience is not about shutting ourselves off from technological progress. On the contrary, it is about preparing a system that is more resilient. Indonesia needs an ecosystem where journalism can still breathe freely and personal data security is no longer a luxury item. Going forward, the biggest challenge lies in integrating digital literacy into the national education curriculum. We cannot rely only on antivirus software or regulations at the ministry level. True resilience begins with the public’s ability to distinguish valid information from narratives meant only to disrupt the situation. When people become more critical, disinformation loses its destructive power. The same goes for cyberattacks; when every access point is properly protected, hackers will struggle to find a way in. Total defense does not mean we must live in fear. It is an effort to ensure that the digital world remains a space for national progress, not a stage for division.

Key Points on Information Resilience

• Threat Escalation: Cyberattacks rose 714 percent in 2025 compared with the previous period, including hacking, data theft, and the spread of hoaxes.
• Role of Media: Mainstream media serves as the primary bulwark for accurate public information amid the onslaught of harmful digital disinformation.
• Strategic Steps: The government is implementing Publisher Rights and strengthening regional cyber defense systems to protect national information sovereignty from outside intervention.

Quick FAQ

Why is media resilience important for total defense?
Resilient media ensures the public receives accurate information, minimizing the impact of disinformation that could potentially divide the nation’s social and political stability.

What is the real impact of the Publisher Rights policy?
The policy aims to create a fairer relationship between local media companies and global digital platforms, ensuring quality journalism can survive amid technological disruption.