Final Blog Post

Over the course of the semester, I was surprised to learn as much as what I found out about the social media and overall media in Indonesia. Even though the country wasn’t my first or second choice as far as blog topic assignment goes, it was enlightening and interesting to see the countries form of media as far as news broadcasting, journalism standards, and societies acceptance of journalism. From research on the freedomhouse.org, I learned that Indonesia attained a total freedom press index of 117 of 178 countries.

In 2009, there was a large offset to journalism due to violence against various journalists. Soon after laws were created and violent acts were declined. After resolving many of these conflicts through various laws and acts, journalism has been much more free and resembles many of the news in the United States as far as how the news is written and what is being published to the masses.

With the use of The Jakarta Post and The Jakarta Globe as my primary news outlets for this blog assignment, as well as the international portion of the New York Times specialized for Indonesia, I was able to follow up on important/breaking/current news in the country. I’ve learned that many Indonesians get most of their news from the Internet itself. Many in the country rely on the Internet as its source to the headline news.

In a recent article posted on the Jakarta Globe just this week, it was found that Facebook is considered how many Indonesians are getting a majority of their news. From wall posts and the convenience of linking certain articles to pages, it is found that Facebook is what garners a majority of “hits” on news websites such as the Jakarta Globe and the Jakarta Post. Even though it is minimal compared to sites such as Indonesia Google, it is still is a big number of people who find out a majority of their news solely through social media.

I have also learned that many Indonesians are well up to date with American social media as well, attaining accounts in popular mediums such as Twitter, Facebook, Blogger and even 4shared.

Originally, I thought Indonesia was still a small nearly third-world country with minimal news media and social media in general but after learning of their news and seeing what many Indonesians are seeing on a day to day basis, as what I would see when logging into the Los Angeles Times, I now see that they are far more advanced than I previously thought.

Technological Effects in Indonesia

The impacts and effects of the internet, mobile phones and other digital technology for global are immense especially with this day and ages growth of websites, social media options, and interactive websites that many users have become highly dependent on. The internet allows individuals to surf the web, chat with a friend, look up certain facts online or even reconnect with high school friends, and with the growth of the internet and the growth of social media, Indonesians can easily do all of these things and more through a computer or a even a smart phone. But along with the positives in the growth of technology and social media, there are also cons and downs to the rapidly heightening medium.

According to Alexa, The Web Information Company, Indonesia's top 10 websites are:

1. Facebook
2. Google.co.id
3. Google
4. Blogger.com
5. Yahoo!
6. Kaskus
7. Youtube
8. Wordpress
9. Twitter
10. 4shared

Nearly half of the top 10 websites are all social networking/social media websites. With the internet being such a strong medium for Indonesians, networking and connecting through these websites is fairly easy to do. With the rise of the internet, Indonesia also jumps up 14 places in Global Communications Rankings, according to the The Jakarta Globe. Indonesia went from 67 to 53 out of 138 economies with the help of websites such as Facebook, Kaskus, Twitter and 4shared, all social media websites.

Another impact of the growing internet medium would be how much Indonesian and Southeast Asian entrepreneurs take advantage of the growing internet audience. With Facebook, according to the another article from The Jakarta Globe, the country and it's economy is looking towards more internet based businesses.

As far as the effects of technology and the widespread growth of the internet, there are multiple pros such as the ease of communication, the numerous options of websites and social media options, and even the expanse of knowledge throughout the World Wide Web. The cons include but are not limited to faulty information, the difficulty in finding credible sources, and though finding things are easier, you never know if what you're reading is true or not.

Technology as well as the internet is a double edged sword. You have your pros and your cons but neither outweighs the other so to speak. In order to use it to one's advantage, society has to use it smartly taking the necessary precautions against censorship or false information but at the same time enjoying it as a media of entertainment and not taking it far too seriously.

Fecebook: Viral Mispelling

When you see the word "Fecebook" you may just think that it's a typo, but in reality, many Indonesians are actually typing out "Fecebook" intentionally into their search box. Fecebook, which is NOT a social networking site to divulge in details about one's bathroom blunders, it's just one of Indonesia's common misspellings for the ever popular "Facebook."

According to a recent study on an Asian Tech Blog, it is found that many Indonesians are trying to spell out 'Facebook' as it sounds as opposed to how it's really spelled.

Due to the increase of usage of the term 'Fecebook' the word itself is increasing in popularity. Despite it's spelling error, Fecebook, Facebook, or however you decide to spell it, is still a popular and vital part of social media for Indonesians, spelling errors and all.

Higher Economic Development Plan for Indonesia

According to the Jakata Globe, the Indonesian government plans on making their country the 12th-largest economy 2025. They plan on conquering this feat by encouraging "domestic growth with its planned economic corridor scheme and programs to improve regional connectivity.

At the moment, Indonesia is ranked 17th-largest after their GDP was approximately $700 billion circa 2010. They plan on boosting that to about $3.8 to $4.5 trillion by 2025. In addition, per capita income will also be raised to $13,000 from 2010's $3,005.

The government expects more state-owned enterprises and companies to give money to the country but they also plan on relying on the cooperation of private sector companies as well. Another tactic would be the increased flow of goods from other countries used a domestic link of global trade, and due to their already strong reliance on foreign trading for economic growth, the increase of this would only assit the country.

The plans are feeble at the moment but the out product of all the attempts to increase the strength of their government and economy will be worth the effort by 2025.

Indonesian Recognition by UNESCO

The Saman Cultural Dance is being recognized by UNESCO, the United Nations Education Social and Cultural Education as "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" according to the Jakarta Post.

This is one of many traditions and cultures from Indonesia that has been recognized by UNESCO wayang (shadow puppets), keris (traditional dagger), batik textiles and angklung (a set of Sundanese musical instruments).


Indonesian Club Saman Dance
BYUH Culture Night Performance at PCC, 2006

Aryeh Sternberg on Social Media in Southeast Asia

The impact of social media in southeastern Asian countries and the effects of Facebook, Twitter and other microblogging outlets.

Indonesians says goodbye to Acclaimed Indonesian Journalist

Journalist Rosihan Anwar courtesy of The Jakarta Post


One of Indonesia's famous Journalists, Rosihan Anwar also known as Pak Ros, was laid to rest on Thursday at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta with full military honors. The 89 year old passed away due to heart failure at 8:15 Thursday morning.

Indonesia's president said that the country lost a major figure. Rosihan was not only known as a journalist. He was also known for being a writer, humanist and film figure. Despite being criticized for many of his pieces, he is known for doing many things for the country and that even though his writings were harsh, they were delivered with a "responsibility and good intentions".

According to Vice President Boediono said, "His works documented this country’s history, and that is very useful to future generations."

Rosihan was considered a true journalist because he told the truth in his stories despite the consequences he would face. His journalism career began circa 1943 and two years later became an editor for the Merdeka newspaper and the chief editor for Pedoman newspaper. He was also one of the Indonesian reporters who covered the Round Table Conference in The Hague in 1949. He also wrote more than 30 books, was active in various organizations and appointed the chairman of the Indonesian Journalist Association (PWI), and remained head of its Honorary Council. He is also awarded the Bintang Mahaputra III, the highest award given to a civilian who has a made a significant contribution to the military.

Rosihan has left a large impact on the Indonesian journalist community and will forever be remembered for his writings and his allegiance to reporting the truth.