Google introduced Berita Pilihan (Google News Showcase) in Indonesia. This marks a new chapter in the company’s decade-long effort to support sustainable journalism in the country (28/5).

The program involves 34 national, regional, and local publishers, including Kompas, Tempo, MNC Media, and The Jakarta Post.

Berita Pilihan offers a curated and licensed news experience. Participating publishers create their own news panels, allowing readers to access article previews and navigate directly to the full content on the publishers’ official websites.

Available on Android, iOS, and Web Through Google News and Discover

The Berita Pilihan panels are accessible via Google News and Discover across Android, iOS, and the web.

These panels provide a new way for users to discover high-quality news while enabling publishers to enhance their branding and maintain editorial control.

Google emphasized that this feature supports stronger connections between publishers and their audiences by offering curated experiences tailored by the news organizations themselves.

Andy Budiman, CEO of KG Media Indonesia, said, "We at KG Media believe that independent and quality journalism is a core pillar of a healthy democracy and enlightened society. The launch of Google News Showcase in Indonesia is a strategic step to support the sustainability of news media".

Angela Tanoesoedibjo, CEO of iNews Media Group, stated, "Our presence in News Showcase underlines our commitment to supporting and enhancing quality journalism. The focus of Berita Pilihan on reputable sources and premium experiences aligns with our core values of careful reporting and editorial independence".

Compensated Licensing Agreements to Expand Premium Access

As part of the licensing agreements, Google provides compensation to participating publishers.

This allows readers to access selected premium content that would typically require a subscription.

The initiative encourages audiences to engage more deeply with the publishers and consider subscribing.

Wahyu Dhyatmika, CEO of Tempo Infomedia Digital said, "We have been anticipating News Showcase in Indonesia, because we see it as a place to discover curated, quality journalism that can help Indonesians access credible and trusted news. By offering previews of some of our premium content, we believe we can attract more potential subscribers and increase their loyalty".

Supporting Discovery in a Personalized Content Era

The program helps readers discover valuable content that might otherwise go unnoticed. It highlights selected articles from participating publishers in a curated format.

Uni Zulfiani Lubis, Editor in Chief of IDN Times, shared, "We see Google News Showcase as an important tool to present a curated selection of the best articles from IDN Times. In the midst of challenges around personalization and content discovery on digital platforms, we believe Showcase will help audiences find hidden gems from IDN Times that may have been overlooked".

Nezar Patria, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs of Indonesia, said, "We welcome Google’s commitment to supporting the sustainability of the media ecosystem in Indonesia and aligning with the mandate of the Presidential Regulation to strengthen the national press industry".

PHOTO: UNSPLASH

This article was created with AI assistance.