(Feb News) Friday, May 16, 2025 - In facing the challenges of digital disruption and rapid development of technology, the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga (FEB Unair) in collaboration with JTV held a Focusing Group Discussion (FGD) titled "Navigating a Changing Media Landscape" on Friday morning (16/5). Located at the Aseec Building Lt. 4 (Rote Room), Campus B Surabaya, this forum is a strategic forum for bringing up academics, regulators, and editorial leaders from various national and local media.
Dean of UNAIR FEB, Prof. Dr. Dian Agustia, SE, M.Si., AK. , in his remarks emphasizing that changes in media landscapes are not mere sectoral phenomena, but part of multidimensional transformations that touch various aspects of life. Starting from the way people access information, the formation of public opinion, to how the organization compiles structures, communication strategies, and human resource management.
" This change requires the media industry to be able to adapt, rearrange communication strategies, and manage human resources carefully. Therefore, forums like this become important as a collaborative forum between academics, government, and industry players to find effective solutions, " said Prof. Dian.
This FGD presents Prof. Dr. GRIMAN CANDRA PREMANANTO, SE, M.Sc. , Professor of Consumer Behavior Feb Unair, as a speaker as well as a discussion moderator. In his introduction, Prof. Gancar reminded that today's challenges are not between humans and technology, but between humans who are able and unable to adapt to technology.
"We are not talking about AI versus humans, but Human versus AI. What replaces us is not a robot, but people who master artificial technology and intelligence," he said.
The FGD session was colored by important exposure from the President Director of LPP TVRI, Imam Brotoseno , who predicted that in 2030, television consumption would fully switch to the on-demand platform.
"The problem is not on television as a device, but in the way we access content. Cross-platform creativity will be a determinant of the continuity of the media," explained Imam.
Putut Darmawan, SE, MM , as the Head of the Public Information and Communication Division of the East Java Province Communication and Information Office , also expressed his views in terms of regulators. He stressed that the East Java Provincial Government was aware of the big shift in advertising revenue into the digital domain and committed to adjusting policies so that the local media industry was able to transform sustainably.
Panel Discussion presents the main figures of national and local media, namely:
- Abdul Rokhim - JTV
- Wachid MukaiDori - Kompas TV
- Ahmad Willy - MNC Group
- Walid - Trans Media
- Henty - TV ONE
- Mahmud - Metro TV
- Budiono - Emtek Group
- Eddy Prastyo - Radio Suara Surabaya
- Yuyun Albaiyah - Radio Elshinta
- Lucky Lokononto - Beritajatim
- Kukuh Setyo Budi - RRI
- Asep Suhendar - TVRI
The panelists agreed that although digital technology had disrupted many aspects, the essential value of journalism was irreplaceable. However, the media business model needs to be revitalized through digital distribution, use of user-generated content, as well as cross-platform collaboration.
In his presentation, Eddy Prastyo from Radio Suara Surabaya revealed that the total Indonesian advertising spending increased from Rp126 trillion (2024) to Rp130 trillion (2025), with 76% remained absorbed on television, while radio was only 0.4% and the rest flowed into digital media. This data shows the urgency of conventional media to immediately adjust the distribution strategy.
In closing, Prof. Gancar conveyed the importance of synergy between academics, media, and government in formulating progressive policies and inclusive communication strategies.
"Digital transformation is not an option, but a necessity. For this reason, the organization must be able to carry out the ambidextrous strategy - that is, exploration and exploitation - and building collaboration across sectors in order to create a strong and competitive media ecosystem in the future," he concluded.
