Antara is the official news agency in Indonesia. It provides news content to the majority of Indonesia’s news outlets, as well as to international media organizations. Antara was established in 1937 during the colonial rule of the Dutch.
Media assets
News agency: Antara News
State Media Matrix Typology: Captured Public/State-Managed/Owned (CaPu)
Ownership and governance
In 2007, Antara underwent a restructuring process in accordance with Government Regulation Number 40, which transformed it into a state-owned enterprise. The agency is managed by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises.
Antara is managed by a board of directors and a supervisory board, each comprising four members. The supervisory board is required to include at least two members appointed by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, who are tasked with representing the Ministry’s interests within the corporation. The supervisory board is responsible for appointing the board of directors.
Source of funding and budget
The share of the state funding in Antara is now very small, the agency generating most of its budget through commercial activities (mainly sale of content to media outlets domestically and abroad). Antara’s 2019 annual report indicates a budget of IDR 373bn (US$ 25.3m).
Editorial independence
Antara was a government-controlled media outlet for decades. Its sole objective was to advance the government’s policy, image, and interests. However, in recent decades, the agency has shifted towards producing more independent reporting, largely in response to commercial pressures, particularly as a result of its efforts to generate healthier revenues from the sale of content.
A content analysis conducted in March 2024 revealed a notable shift in the agency’s coverage, with a significant increase in material aligned with the government’s position. The majority of the content produced by the agency pertains to activities undertaken by the government. In June 2024, journalists in Jakarta interviewed for this report also noted that critical content about the authorities is no longer tolerated at Antara. Additionally, the agency has been identified as a conduit for Chinese state-sponsored content, reflecting a broader pattern of Chinese state media attempting to exert influence over the Indonesian media landscape.
In light of these developments, we have reassessed Antara’s categorization within our media typology. We have moved it from the Independent State Managed Media (ISM) category to the Captured Public/State Owned/Managed Media (CaPu) category, which reflects lack of editorial independence.
Antara has implemented a series of internal mechanisms to guarantee the seamless operation of the corporation. These include the Good Corporate Governance system, a Code of Conduct, and a whistleblowing mechanism that ensures staff can lodge complaints without fear of adverse consequences. However, the majority of these internal mechanisms are primarily designed to ensure good governance, financial transparency, and accountability. There is currently no statute in place that explicitly guarantees Antara’s editorial independence.
September 2024