New Media Forum Clarifies Status Following Govt Listing

3 hours ago 2

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesia New Media Forum (INMF) committee has lamented the use of media names during a press conference held by the Indonesian Communications Agency on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. In a formal statement dated May 7, 2026, the committee noted that the mention of those new media as government partners by the Head of the Communications Agency, Muhammad Qodari, has led to public misunderstandings.

"The list of media circulating in the public is not a list of INMF members, but rather a mapping of the industry ecosystem and social media landscape used in internal discussions," the INMF committee clarified.

The new media community is currently reinforcing its internal governance as part of a commitment to remaining an accountable and transparent forum. To date, the INMF has not opened formal membership or entered into official partnerships with any external parties.

During the press conference on Wednesday, Qodari stated that he had met with representatives of "homeless media." He claimed to have invited these entities to assist in expanding the reach of the government's public communications.

Homeless media refers to digital entities based entirely on social media without independent websites or applications. Such content is typically managed independently and distributed across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

In his briefing, Qodari mentioned several digital outlets claimed to be part of the New Media Forum. These included Folkative, Indozone, Dagelan, Indomusikgram, Infipop, Narasi, Muslimvlog, USS Feed, menjadimanusia, GNFI, Creativox, Kok Bisa, Taubatters, Bapak2ID, and Pandemic Talks.

Furthermore, the list extended to Kawan Hawa, Folix, Ngomongin Uang, Big Alpha, Goodstats, Hai Dulu, Proud Project, Vibes, UNFRMD, Kumpul Leaders, CXO Media, Volix Media, How To Do Nothing, Everless Media, Geometry Media, Folks Diary, Dream, Melodi Alam, NKTSHI, Modestalk, Lead Media, Nalar TV, Mahasiswa dan Jakarta, and Mature Indonesia.

"We warmly welcome our friends from the New Media Forum, the new partner of the Government Communications Agency within the Indonesian digital media ecosystem," Qodari stated on Wednesday.

INMF representative Timothy Marbun confirmed that a preliminary meeting between several members and Qodari took place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, for introductory purposes. "There were no commitments made," Timothy emphasized.

According to Timothy, the context of the partnership is strictly limited to opening communication channels so that homeless media can fulfill "cover both sides" journalistic requirements. He noted that the Communications Agency had expressed openness to responding to inquiries regarding government performance. "The spirit is actually toward the dissemination of comprehensive information from all sides," Timothy said.

Timothy explained that the INMF was formed collectively and independently in mid-2025. The forum was established as a space for new media to gather, grow, and learn together. Therefore, he stated that the INMF is managed without a traditional hierarchy, emphasizing that the media involved maintain their own editorial focus and independence.