Indonesia and Singapore Navigate Information Pressure: Trust Returns to Legacy Media

New evidence from Indonesia and Singapore suggests that even in a fragmented, creator-driven information ecosystem, voters still return to legacy media for credibility and reassurance, especially during high-stakes political events like elections. While social media and video platforms have grown significantly, with younger demographics heavily relying on platforms like TikTok and YouTube for political content, traditional media outlets, particularly their digital versions, remain crucial for voters seeking facts, familiarity, and accountability. In Indonesia, television continues to be a primary source for election news, followed by WhatsApp and face-to-face conversations. In Singapore, digital versions of legacy outlets such as CNA and The Straits Times are among the most used and trusted sources. The shift in political communication towards short-form video, creator commentary, and podcasts presents challenges, with policy proposals often reduced to slogans and debates distilled into viral clips. This trend can shape perceptions of candidates based on memes rather than platforms. The "Gemoy" cartoons linked to the Prabowo-Gibran campaign in Indonesia, for example, illustrate the subtle use of AI-generated content for engagement. Concerns about AI-generated content and misinformation are prominent. While exposure to deepfakes was limited, belief in them often followed partisan lines. Both countries are grappling with how to regulate this evolving landscape. Singapore has taken a proactive stance with new legislation to counter digitally manipulated content during elections. Indonesia, however, faces legal gaps, with its existing laws not fully covering generative AI use in elections, leaving many voters vulnerable to manipulation. The lesson from both nations is that in times of democratic stakes, audiences still turn to credible institutions. Adapting journalism, enhancing civic literacy, and implementing smarter regulations are essential for voters to navigate complex information environments with clarity and accuracy.