The rapid advancement of information technology has drastically changed the media consumption landscape. Society now tends to shift from conventional text to dynamic visual-based content consumption. This phenomenon presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the media industry to urgently reformulate business models and distribution strategies to remain relevant amidst global platform competition.
Senior media practitioner and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Cyber Media Association (AMSI), Wenseslaus Manggut, highlighted that public reliance on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube is driven by the brain's efficiency in processing visual information. Nevertheless, he emphasized that text-based journalism still plays a crucial role in providing in-depth material, complex data analysis, and complete context for readers.
Data shows significant changes in audience behavior, where the trend of accessing information via social media increased sharply in 2026. In response to this shift, local media are encouraged not only to rely on mainstream platforms but also to start utilizing personal channels such as WhatsApp Channels. This local community-based approach is considered capable of creating a more intimate and effective bond between the media and the public at the regional level.
On the other hand, CEO of Suara.com, Suwarjono, in the same discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration as the key to industry sustainability. Given the constantly changing digital landscape, synergy between media elements is necessary to maintain credibility while safeguarding the economic stability of the media amidst the onslaught of social media trends increasingly dominating the public sphere.
