Utilise digitalisation era to explore potential, regional media industry cooperation

JAKARTA: The explosion of the digitalisation era must now be leveraged by regional media industry players based on the principle of ‘win-win’ to explore potential and cooperation in the open market, said the Chief Editor of Utusan Borneo Sabah, Datuk Lichong Angkui.

He said that industry players can no longer choose to be alone but must collaborate with regional partners.

“We must think globally, exploring opportunities and potential together in the context of the borderless digitalization era,” he said at the National Press Day (HPN) gathering in Ancol, the metropolitan city center of Jakarta on Tuesday.

The largest annual gathering of Indonesian media was officiated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

The President of the Indonesian-Malaysian Journalists Solidarity Association (ISWAMI) Malaysia, Ashwad Ismail, led a delegation of about 30 journalists from various local print and electronic media organisations.

Lichong, who is also a member of the ISWAMI Malaysia Administrative Council, said that regional media organisations need to establish mutually beneficial cooperation.

He mentioned that cooperation will be easier in the current digitalisation era where discussions and decisions can be made online in real-time.

“This includes aspects such as news exchange, marketing, and advertising, for example, between media outlets in Indonesia and Malaysia, without neglecting the aspect of mutual benefit.

“This regional cooperation can also be expanded to voice demands related to payment for online news, from tech giants such as Google and Meta (the parent company of Facebook) for every link and search of news content used on their platforms,” he said.

He stated that if these issues are raised in the context of regional agreements, the impact would be greater compared to individual demands.

Therefore, he said, the time has come for media industry players in the ASEAN region to join forces, collaborate, and leverage the current explosion of digitalisation.

Malaysian media at Ecovention Hall, Ancol, Jakarta, where Jokowi officiated the events. Also seen Ashwad (third from left) and Lichong (sixth from right).