Trust in news continues to slide globally, yet when elections arrive, audiences in Indonesia and Singapore behave differently. New evidence from both countries shows that even in a fragmented, creator‑driven information ecosystem, voters still return to legacy media for credibility and reassurance.
The latest Reuters Institute Digital News Report highlights a familiar trend: social media and video platforms have on average across markets overtaken news websites and apps, and global trust in news has fallen to 37 percent, the lowest level since 2015. A Eurobarometer survey across 27 EU states similarly found that two in three users seek political information on social media, and more than one third follow influencers.
These patterns raise a critical question: do people rely on different information sources when the stakes are high? Studies conducted during the 2024 Indonesian presidential election and the 2025 Singapore general election suggest they do.
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Legacy media remains the anchor
In Indonesia, a nationally representative two‑wave panel survey found that television remained the most accessed source of election news, followed by WhatsApp and face‑to‑face conversations. YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram have grown rapidly, but they have not displaced TV’s central role. Print media has nearly vanished, with almost nine in ten respondents saying they never accessed it.
Trust patterns mirror usage. Indonesians placed the greatest trust in television and interpersonal conversations—not social media. During high‑stakes moments, voters seek not only speed but facts, familiarity and accountability.
Singapore shows a similar pattern despite its more digitally saturated environment. During the 2025 general election, digital versions of legacy outlets such as CNA, The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao were among the most used and trusted sources. Television remained the second most trusted medium across demographics. Print continues to decline, but the institutions behind it retain influence through digital migration.
Across both countries, the evidence is clear: legacy media has not disappeared; it has moved online. When voters need clarity, they turn to brands associated with editorial credibility.
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Short‑form content reshaping political attention
Legacy media now competes in a transformed attention economy. Short‑form video, creator commentary and podcasts have become central to political communication, especially among younger voters.
In Indonesia, voters aged 15–24 consumed election content primarily through TikTok, WhatsApp, TV, Instagram and YouTube. Podcasts and influencers were key sources of political commentary. Singapore’s voters showed similar behaviour: TikTok and YouTube were major platforms for younger voters, and nearly one‑third of all voters consumed podcasts daily during election time.
This shift has consequences. A policy proposal becomes a slogan; a debate becomes a few viral seconds; a candidate is remembered for a meme rather than a platform. Indonesia’s election survey captured this dynamic: around half watched the presidential debates in full, but 60 percent watched only post‑debate clips, which significantly shaped perceptions of candidates.
Short‑form content is not inherently harmful, but its emphasis on emotion and speed often comes at the expense of nuance. As politics becomes “snackable”, societies must ask how to preserve meaningful civic discussion.
Digital literacy efforts must therefore expand beyond spotting fake news. Civic and political literacy—understanding how policies affect daily life, how governance works, and how framing shapes meaning—is increasingly essential.
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AI adds complexity—and regulatory gaps
AI‑generated content is adding new layers to election communication. In Indonesia, AI was used to create satire, engagement‑driven content and the viral “Gemoy” cartoons linked to the Prabowo‑Gibran campaign. These materials were not outright disinformation but subtle propaganda that is harder to regulate.
Exposure to deepfakes was limited, but belief in them followed partisan lines. Young and educated voters reported the highest exposure to misinformation—and the highest awareness of it.
Singapore’s electorate showed caution toward digitally manipulated content. About one‑third “sometimes” or “very often” encountered AI‑manipulated material, though most rarely did. Concern about AI misuse remained high across age and education groups.
The two countries diverge sharply on regulation. Singapore has adopted a proactive stance, passing the Elections (Integrity of Online Advertising) (Amendment) Act in 2024 to counter digitally manipulated content.
Indonesia, by contrast, faces legal gaps. Nearly half of Indonesian respondents were unaware of video‑editing software, making them more vulnerable to manipulation. Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transactions Law and Election Law do not regulate generative AI use in elections. A court ruling in January 2025—after the election—prohibited excessive alteration of candidate images.
Regulation alone cannot solve information manipulation, but it clarifies accountability and deters abuse. As technology accelerates, anticipatory regulatory frameworks—not just ex‑post measures—are increasingly necessary.
In an environment defined by fragmentation, speed and manipulation, the challenge is not to resist change but to adapt without losing depth and accuracy. The lesson from Indonesia and Singapore is clear: when democracy is at stake, audiences still turn to credible institutions.
Sustaining that trust requires adaptable journalism, deeper civic literacy and smarter regulation—so that voters can navigate high‑stakes moments with clarity rather than confusion.
Carol Soon is Associate Professor (Practice) and Deputy Head at the Department of Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Information Integrity. Maria Monica Wihardja is Fellow with ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute where she is Co-coordinator of the Media, Technology and Society Programme. She is also Adjunct Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore’s Department of Southeast Asian Studies. Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info
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