January 25, 2026 | 09:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Setri Yasra, Chief Editor of Tempo, has rejected claims made by Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto that the media outlet never reports positively on the government and serves foreign interests.
Speaking on Sunday, January 25, 2026, Setri emphasized the role of an independent press as a watchdog.
“The press becomes the public’s extended hand to monitor the government,” he said.
Prabowo raised his concerns about alleged foreign influence in the media during an address at the State Palace on January 15, 2026, in front of university rectors and professors.
According to three academics who attended the meeting, Prabowo specifically singled out Tempo, claiming that the outlet failed to cover government achievements, including food self-sufficiency programs.
He also suggested that foreign parties were funding Tempo’s editorial team and asked academics to support the government in countering such influence.
Setri dismissed the allegations as unfounded. He noted that Tempo has consistently reported on self-sufficiency programs, including the food estate project, spanning previous administrations under Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Joko Widodo, and Prabowo himself.
“Tempo’s editorial approach is to critique government policies that deviate from the public interest while highlighting programs that are effective and beneficial,” Setri said.
“As an independent media organization, Tempo is neither a mouthpiece for nor an opposition to the government.”
Setri further explained that Tempo’s reporting is based on verified facts from the field and includes input from all relevant parties.
“All journalistic products across Tempo’s platforms undergo verification and present balanced perspectives,” he said.
The accusations of foreign influence echo previous claims targeting Tempo. In March 2025, an anonymous TikTok and WhatsApp video alleged that Tempo’s subsidiary, PT Info Media Digital (IMD), received funding from the U.S.-based Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) in July 2024.
The video linked MDIF to George Soros and Indonesia’s 1997-1998 monetary crisis, implying foreign interference in the media.
Tempo and MDIF have publicly clarified that the investment agreement does not affect editorial independence. The funding, in the form of convertible performance debentures, maintains Tempo’s controlling share, and MDIF has committed not to interfere in editorial decisions.
“Tempo chose MDIF because they respect editorial independence,” Setri said.
Tempo is a publicly listed company, meaning its ownership structure is transparent. Setri reiterated that editorial decisions remain fully independent despite external investments.
The full report on President Prabowo’s statements regarding foreign media influence is available in Tempo’s coverage (Indonesian version).
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