The research, titled National Defense Journalism, was written by Sonni Agung Saputra, Priyanto, and Taufiq Shobri. The paper appeared in the International Journal of Sustainable Applied Sciences (IJSAS), Vol. 4 No. 5, published in 2026.
The authors argue that journalism in Indonesia has entered a critical period where ethical reporting, public trust, and national resilience are increasingly interconnected. In an era dominated by social media manipulation, hybrid warfare, online propaganda, and AI-driven misinformation, the press is no longer only responsible for delivering news. It is also expected to safeguard social cohesion and democratic stability.
According to the study, Indonesia’s media landscape remains vulnerable to political intervention, concentrated ownership, weak ethical enforcement, and uneven journalist competency. These weaknesses, the researchers warn, could undermine the country’s ability to resist disinformation campaigns and protect public confidence in democratic institutions.
Indonesia’s unique national context makes the issue even more urgent. The country consists of more than 17,000 islands, 38 provinces, and over 281 million people from approximately 1,340 ethnic groups. In such a diverse society, inaccurate or provocative reporting can quickly escalate social tensions and deepen polarization.
The researchers highlighted the historical role of Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) as an example of how journalism has long contributed to national defense. During Indonesia’s independence struggle, broadcasts from RRI helped unite citizens and mobilize resistance movements. The study specifically referenced Bung Tomo’s wartime broadcasts during the Battle of Surabaya, which became a symbol of national solidarity and anti-colonial resistance.
“Journalism constitutes a crucial element of Indonesia’s non-military defense strategy,” the authors wrote, emphasizing that ethical and accurate reporting strengthens public trust and national unity.
The research used a qualitative approach involving institutional interviews with major Indonesian media and government stakeholders, including RRI, the Press Council, and the Presidential Communications Office. The analysis was guided by Sir Arthur F. Lykke Jr.’s strategic “Ends-Ways-Means” framework, commonly used in defense and military studies.
Using this framework, the researchers defined the “ends” of journalism as preserving national unity, democratic stability, and ideological integrity based on Pancasila and the Indonesian Constitution. The “ways” included peace journalism, conflict-sensitive reporting, ethical standards, and strategic communication. Meanwhile, the “means” referred to newsroom infrastructure, journalist training, institutional oversight, digital verification tools, and public trust.
The findings revealed several major weaknesses in Indonesia’s journalism system.
One of the most serious concerns involves ethical deterioration within media organizations. The study cited cases where journalists and media executives were accused of spreading disinformation or prioritizing political and economic interests over public accountability. According to the researchers, journalist competency certification alone is insufficient without continuous ethics enforcement and institutional oversight.
The study also found that recruitment and professional training standards vary widely across Indonesia’s media sector. Some journalists possess formal academic backgrounds in communication and journalism, while others rely entirely on field experience. This uneven preparation creates inconsistencies in verification practices, ethical awareness, and reporting quality.
The digital transformation of the media industry has introduced additional risks. Many Indonesian newsrooms, especially smaller organizations, still lack advanced cybersecurity systems and AI-supported fact-checking technology. As a result, they remain vulnerable to hacking, coordinated disinformation campaigns, and information manipulation.
The authors noted that newsroom workflows often prioritize speed over verification. Multi-platform publishing pressures have accelerated the spread of unverified information, while weak external oversight allows ethical violations to continue with limited consequences.
The research also identified political and economic influence as persistent structural problems. Concentrated media ownership and dependence on politically connected funding reduce editorial independence and limit journalism’s watchdog role. In diverse societies like Indonesia, this can intensify ideological polarization and weaken public trust.
To address these challenges, the researchers proposed several strategic reforms.
Key recommendations include:
- Revising Indonesia’s Press Law and Broadcasting Law to adapt to digital-era challenges
- Strengthening journalist ethics enforcement and independent oversight mechanisms
- Expanding digital literacy and national defense awareness in journalism education
- Integrating AI-assisted fact-checking and verification systems into newsrooms
- Improving cybersecurity infrastructure across media organizations
- Creating transparent citizen feedback and participatory journalism platforms
The researchers also promoted the concept of “peace journalism,” a reporting model that prioritizes empathy, conflict resolution, and factual accuracy over sensationalism and divisive narratives. The approach, originally developed by peace studies scholar Johan Galtung, was described as highly relevant to Indonesia’s multicultural society and democratic environment.
According to the authors, journalism should function as a strategic communication system capable of countering misinformation while strengthening social resilience. They emphasized that press freedom must remain aligned with ethical responsibility and national interests.
The study concluded that Indonesia’s future democratic resilience will depend heavily on whether its journalism institutions can adapt to technological disruption while preserving credibility, transparency, and public trust.
Author Profiles
- Sonni Agung Saputra — Postgraduate researcher in defense strategy and journalism studies at the Republic of Indonesia Defense University.
- Priyanto — Researcher specializing in strategic communication, defense policy, and media systems.
- Taufiq Shobri — Academic researcher focusing on journalism ethics, communication studies, and national resilience.
Source
Journal Article: National Defense Journalism
Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Applied Sciences (IJSAS)
Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijsas.v4i5.445
URL: https://dmimultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijsas
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