Jakarta, INTI - Agus Sudibyo, Chair of the Supervisory Board of TVRI, has called for stronger protection of the economic rights associated with journalistic content amid the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), which could reduce traffic to news websites and cut media companies’ revenue.
Agus believes that the use of journalistic works by AI platforms should be accompanied by financial compensation for the media organizations and journalists responsible for producing the content.
According to him, generative AI has transformed how people access information, allowing users to obtain direct answers without visiting news websites.
This trend is known as the zero-click phenomenon, in which users receive information without accessing the original source.
“AI platforms use media-owned content to build their business models but provide no incentives to the media organizations or journalists contributing to their systems,” Agus said at the United Tractors 2026 Journalist Workshop in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
Generative AI Could Reduce News Website Traffic
Agus explained that AI’s ability to process information from multiple sources and deliver direct answers is changing the relationship between media companies and their audiences.
Readers who previously visited news websites to obtain information can now use AI services to receive summaries or answers to their questions.
According to Agus, this shift could reduce website traffic, content visibility, and direct engagement between media organizations and the public.
Meanwhile, media companies must continue investing in the production of credible and accountable journalism.
These costs include reporting, information verification, editorial processes, and ensuring journalists’ welfare.
Agus warned that the situation could create economic challenges for the press industry if digital platforms continue using journalistic content without providing adequate compensation.
Media Companies Urged to Negotiate Collectively with Digital Platforms
To address these challenges, Agus encouraged media companies to strengthen their bargaining power through collaboration and collective negotiations with digital platform providers.
These negotiations could involve search engines, social media companies, and AI service providers that use journalistic content.
He said media organizations and industry associations could play an important role in establishing agreements governing the use and licensing of journalistic works.
Such initiatives are considered essential to clarifying the economic relationship between media companies as information producers and technology platforms that benefit from their content.
Agus also emphasized the importance of maintaining journalistic quality and originality as key differentiators from other information sources.
He stressed that original journalistic content must remain a competitive advantage and a defining characteristic of professional media organizations.
Publisher Rights Protection Considered Essential for the Press Industry
Beyond encouraging collaboration among media companies, Agus believes that the economic rights associated with journalistic content must be strengthened through regulations and commercial agreements.
He highlighted the importance of publisher rights as a framework for recognizing and providing economic compensation for the use of journalistic works.
According to him, such protection is necessary to ensure that media companies do not lose the economic benefits of the content they produce.
Stronger regulations and commercial agreements are also expected to establish clearer relationships between the media industry and technology companies.
Media Companies Need to Strengthen Direct Relationships with Readers
Agus also encouraged media organizations to develop stronger direct relationships with their audiences as information consumption patterns continue to evolve.
These efforts can complement greater cooperation among media companies and stronger protection of the economic rights associated with journalistic content.
He expressed hope that the press industry would continue to capitalize on opportunities presented by AI technology without compromising the sustainability of media businesses.
Protecting journalistic works is also considered essential to preserving the role of media organizations in providing high-quality information to the public.
Conclusion
Generative AI is reshaping how people access news, creating economic challenges for media companies as zero-click searches reduce website traffic and advertising opportunities. Stronger publisher rights, fair compensation mechanisms, collective negotiations with technology platforms, and a focus on original journalism are essential to protecting media revenue and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the press industry.
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