ABC International Development (ABCID) has launched a new media development initiative in Indonesia, the third largest democracy and fourth most populated country in the world.
Disinformation and misinformation have become some of the biggest threats to trust on the Internet globally, and particularly in Asia. With Indonesia accounting for over half of Southeast Asia’s 400 million internet users, this project aims to strengthen digital literacy of Indonesian independent media and their audiences tackling personal data protection and online violence as one of the most pressing issues.
Indonesia’s digital literacy index increased from 3.46 in 2020 to 3.54 in 2022, with digital safety scoring the lowest. Internet users have become less sensitive about posting content without permission and less aware of the importance of protecting personal information. This initiative supports local partners in raising awareness and understanding of privacy issues. We aim to increase the capacity levels of media organisations and journalists to manage Personal Data Protection (PDP).
Online gender-based violence (GBV) against journalists is on the rise worldwide especially against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent study in Indonesia surveying 1,256 female journalists revealed that as many as 70% had experienced violence in the digital as well as in the physical domain in 2021. Media organisations play a crucial role in providing both preventative and responsive support mechanisms to those who use their digital platforms including journalists, talent and audiences.
To tackle this emerging critical context our media development program aims to increase digital safety for female media workers, as well as other diverse and marginalised groups, who are especially vulnerable to online harassment or privacy violations impacting on their lives.
Furthermore, the Indonesia Media Program (IMP) intends to raise digital resilience and tackle the issue of media sustainability by strengthening audience-focused business models and building capacities to create Digital First Content. ABCID collaborates with Indonesian public interest media, which contribute to and reflect back their country’s identity and the diversity of their community. Diversity and inclusion strengthen digital media resilience by making stories relevant for and valued by all audiences. The program offers capacity building and content collaboration in digital story-telling that is aimed at empowering regional journalists, increase audience reach and coverage of particular under-represented themes.
Investment Period: This project is part of the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy (2022-2026).
Key Partners: Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI), Serikat Pekerja Media dan Industri Kreatif untuk Demokrasi (SINDIKASI), Konde, SMERU, Remotivi
Location: Indonesia
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