Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo confirmed on Tuesday that he has signed a decree on publisher rights, mandating tech companies to pay media outlets for the news content they post on their platforms.

Article 5 of the decree aims to “provide the best solution in facilitating the commercialization of news content” from Indonesian media outlets.

Indonesian news publishers and broadcasters have long complained about the minimal benefits of engagement with global tech companies like Google, Meta, X (previously Twitter), and TikTok. In contrast, these tech giants enjoy massive traffic and ad revenues from sharing news content.

Repeated pleas from media outlets for the government to regulate a fair revenue-sharing scheme with tech companies have culminated in this decree.

“Quality journalism and the sustainability of mainstream media are the main concerns of the government. After a prolonged period of waiting and debates, I signed the Presidential Decree on Publisher Rights yesterday,” the president said during an event commemorating National Press Day in Jakarta.

The 10-page presidential decree delineates the rules governing interactions between tech companies and Indonesian media entities. It regulates revenue sharing and mandates the establishment of a special committee to handle related issues.

The decree calls on tech companies to ensure fair and equal treatment for all media outlets in sharing news content on their platforms.

For the sharing of news content, tech companies must establish formal cooperation with the media outlets, according to Usman Kansong, a senior official with the Communication and Informatics Ministry.

The cooperation agreement should encompass license payment, revenue sharing, and data sharing regarding the number of end users.

“The cooperation must be achieved on an equal basis, with media outlets receiving fees from platform providers," Usman said recently.

The decree prohibits tech companies from sharing news content for commercial purposes without the consent of the copyright holders.

Additionally, tech companies operating in Indonesia must introduce an algorithmic news recommendation system “that supports quality journalism and promotes democratic principles and pluralism.”

President Jokowi said the decree doesn’t apply to individual “content creators.”

"I know it’s a very tiring and difficult process to reach a solution. Before I signed the decree, I had listened to aspirations from my friends in the press community and become aware of differences between mainstream media companies and digital platform providers," Jokowi added.