In light of Indonesia’s election year, Safer Internet Lab conducted two major surveys to examine the state of information governance: a national public opinion survey and a stakeholder perception survey. The findings from both surveys were launched on January 16, 2025, during an event titled “Rilis Survei Nasional: Menyusun Peta Jalan Menghadapi Gangguan Informasi di Era AI Generatif” at the CSIS Auditorium in Central Jakarta.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Shafiah Muhibat, Deputy Executive Director for Studies at CSIS, who highlighted how advancements in artificial intelligence are reshaping the information landscape, particularly in the production and spread of misinformation and disinformation. She emphasized the urgency of addressing these developments, noting that AI-generated mis/disinformation could significantly heighten public vulnerability to information disorders.
“We hope that today’s surveys and discussions will contribute to shaping a collective roadmap and strengthening public resilience against the challenges of mis- and disinformation in the era of generative AI,” Shafiah stated.
Aries Kusdaryono, Director of Informatics Application Governance at the Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi), attended on behalf of Deputy Minister Nezar Patria. He echoed concerns regarding AI’s role in information manipulation, stating, “Following the 2024 elections, societies remain vulnerable to information manipulation. In fact, 87% of populations in countries that held elections in 2024 believe that disinformation has influenced their political environments.”
Kominfo also expressed its appreciation for Safer Internet Lab’s efforts in addressing information disorders through multi-stakeholder research initiatives.
The event continued with a presentation by Arya Fernandes, Head of the Department of Politics and Social Change at CSIS, who introduced the findings of the Public Opinion Survey: “Mapping Mis/Disinformation in Indonesian Politics: Public Trust and Vulnerability.”
The survey found an increase in public awareness of information disorder related to the election during the post-election period, compared to the pre-election survey. This may be attributed to several factors:
- The volume of information disorder surged during the election period. Although fact-checking efforts intensified, it remained difficult to keep pace with the rapid spread of mis- and disinformation.
- Public information resilience, measured by the ability to verify false information, did not show any significant improvement.
- Public participation in reporting mis- and disinformation remained relatively low.
Arya also noted that although public awareness of information disorder was high, its societal impact was less severe compared to the 2019 elections. This was reflected in reduced societal polarization, lower hate speech dissemination, minimal use of identity politics, and greater acceptance of election results.
“The weaker impact of information disorder may also be attributed to an elite consensus promoting healthier campaigns, proactive mitigation efforts by tech platforms, and fact-checking initiatives by the media and civil society,” he added.
Shifting from public perceptions to stakeholder perspectives, Beltsazar Krisetya, a researcher from the Department of Politics and Social Change at CSIS, presented the second survey titled “Stakeholder Perceptions, Experiences, and Recommendations on Mis/Disinformation and Information Governance.”
This survey collected insights from various groups involved in Indonesia’s information governance landscape, including government bodies, tech platforms, civil society organizations, academia, journalists, and media professionals.
The survey revealed that fact-checking, community empowerment, and education and awareness campaigns are considered the most effective measures to address mis- and disinformation. In contrast, regulation, law enforcement, and political transparency were relatively seen as less effective in mitigating mis- and disinformation during the 2024 elections.
The survey also highlighted several challenges in coordinating among various stakeholders to combat mis- and disinformation. These include the need for a shared agreement on the definitions of misinformation and disinformation, as well as the need for more effective dialogue platforms among stakeholders.
Beltsazar emphasized, “Fact-checking remains a vital tool for addressing mis/disinformation. However, it must be complemented—not replaced—by other strategies, such as community-driven notes and AI transparency initiatives.”
He further highlighted the need for AI transparency regulations that balance risk-based, sectoral, and human rights-based approaches. Lessons learned from the 2024 elections should inform future policy developments to better address emerging challenges.
The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Laban Laisila, Head of Narasi Newsroom and Narasi Academy. The panel featured:
- Noudhy Valdryno (Deputy for Dissemination and Information Media, Presidential Communication Office)
- Bhredipta Socarana (Research Fellow, Safer Internet Lab)
- Ninik Rahayu (Chairperson, Press Council)
- Agung Yudhawiranata (Senior Advisor, Blue Owl Group)
The discussion emphasized the critical need for cross-sector collaboration to enhance public information resilience, including calls for integrated regulatory efforts, the creation of more inclusive dialogue platforms, and the strategic use of AI to foster transparency, accountability, and public trust.
Rewatch the discussion: https://sail.ink/ytsurvei
Read the public survey: https://sail.ink/surveipublik24
Read the stakeholder survey: https://sail.ink/surveiahli24