Jakarta, INTI - Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid called on journalists to continue safeguarding the quality of public information amid rapid digitalization and the flood of content across digital platforms.
According to Meutya, the speed of information delivery must go hand in hand with accuracy, empathy, and social responsibility.
She delivered the message during a film discussion titled “3 Faces of Roehana Koeddoes,” which highlighted Roehana Koeddoes, Indonesia’s first female journalist and a National Hero, in South Jakarta on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Digital News Without Empathy Risks Misleading the Public
Meutya warned that fast-paced news production without sufficient care and empathy risks creating emotional, misleading, and harmful content, particularly for younger audiences.
“Because digitalization prioritizes speed, sensitivity in writing feels lost. In the past, we placed great importance on emotion and depth in our work,” Meutya said.
She stressed that press freedom was never intended to undermine human dignity or the nation’s cultural values.
Meutya also noted that today’s digital space presents a shared challenge, as it is increasingly filled with content that lacks educational value and may negatively affect the public.
“Social media and these new media platforms are then filled with works that are not educational, and some even damage the younger generation,” she said.
Reviving Journalism’s Role as a Tool for Education and Empowerment
Meutya said the spirit of Roehana Koeddoes, dating back to 1911, remains relevant as a reminder that journalism was born as a tool for education and empowerment, not merely speed and sensationalism.
“Today, with digitalization, everyone, and every woman, can write and create their own media,” she explained.
Ahead of National Press Day, Meutya urged media organizations to once again place data, empathy, and social responsibility at the core of journalism to ensure Indonesia’s digital space remains healthy, civilized, and protective of its citizens.
“Let us bring back works filled with feeling and solid data rather than emotion alone, and continue the spirit pioneered by Mrs. Roehana Koeddoes,” she concluded.
Conclusion
As digital platforms continue to accelerate the flow of information, Meutya Hafid’s call serves as a timely reminder that journalism’s true value lies not in speed alone, but in credibility, empathy, and public responsibility. By reaffirming these principles, the media can help ensure Indonesia’s digital space remains informative, ethical, and beneficial for future generations.
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