Jakarta, June 11, 2026 – Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Ekraf), Teuku Riefky Harsya, received an audience with representatives of the Indonesian Cyber Media Association (SMSI) at the Ministry of Creative Economy Office in Jakarta on Thursday (11/6). The meeting discussed the development of a cyber media-based creative economy, strengthening digital talent, and expanding Indonesia’s content creator ecosystem.
Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, received representatives of the Indonesian Cyber Media Association (SMSI) at the Ministry of Creative Economy Office, Jakarta, Thursday (11/6/2026).
The Minister emphasized that the Government continues to strengthen the foundation of every creative economy subsector through the development of data systems, financing access, training opportunities, intellectual property protection, and the establishment of an ecosystem that is adaptive to emerging technologies. Collaboration with SMSI is also expected to enhance the competitiveness of Indonesia’s cyber media industry in the digital era.
“We are now entering an era where the creative economy serves as the new engine of national economic growth, beginning from the regions. This is reflected in two key priorities of the Asta Cita agenda: creating quality employment opportunities and developing the creative industry. Countries with thriving creative economies are often those with strong cultural roots, such as Indonesia, which can transform media creativity into economic strength,” said the Minister.
The Minister further explained that many creative economy subsectors are becoming increasingly attractive and relevant, particularly because the majority of their workforce consists of young people. This condition opens opportunities for collaboration with SMSI through training programs, capacity-building initiatives for media practitioners across regions, and the development of digital content that showcases local creative economy potential to national and global audiences.
Documentation by the Bureau for Communication of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
“The creative economy can serve as a solution for absorbing young talent into the workforce while strengthening the middle class. The challenge lies in how the government can provide regulations that support increasingly competitive and high-quality creative products, works, and talents. Through digital training programs across the ecosystem, we hope to help creative talents grow and advance to the next level,” the Minister explained.
Meanwhile, Taufiqurochman, Vice Chairman of the SMSI Advisory Board, expressed appreciation for the Minister’s leadership, describing him as intelligent, humble, and straightforward in building a strong foundation for Indonesia’s creative economy. SMSI also invited the Minister to attend the SMSI Awards Night 2026 and proposed a training program aimed at helping cyber media members evolve into content creators.
“We would like to propose two initiatives. First, participation in the Indonesian Press Friends Appreciation event on June 18. Second, we offer a concept for YouTube monetization training, with the hope of receiving guidance and mentoring from the Ministry of Creative Economy so that the cyber media industry can contribute to making the creative economy a future icon of Indonesia,” said Taufiqurochman.
Documentation by the Bureau for Communication of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Other SMSI representatives explained that SMSI has served as an organization representing online media companies throughout Indonesia since March 7, 2017. The association currently consists of 3,181 cyber media companies across the country and has received recognition from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) for the fastest dissemination of opinion news across 571 cyber media outlets.
“We are proud of the progress made by the Ministry of Creative Economy in building a strong foundation for the creative economy. The Minister also understands that young people are digital natives who adapt quickly to changing times. Therefore, SMSI is confident that it can contribute to building a more extensive and higher-quality media ecosystem,” added Nishal Dillon, Director of the Media Crisis Center.
Documentation by the Bureau for Communication of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Accompanying the Minister during the meeting were Luat S.P. Sihombing, Director of Games; Rocklin Aprilius Anderson, Expert Staff to the Minister for Media Affairs; Hasbil Mustaqim Lubis, Expert Staff to the Minister for Public Opinion and Media Monitoring; and Kiagoos Irvan Faisal, Head of the Bureau for Communication.
Also present were Sampor Ali, Vice Chairman of the SMSI Advisory Board; Firdaus, Chairman of SMSI; Hendri Yanto Attan, Deputy Secretary General of SMSI; Dyah Kristiningsih, Deputy Director of Administration and Secretariat Affairs; and Eman Sulaeman, SMSI Public Relations Officer.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
