From the eyes to the heart. This classic proverb, though perhaps less familiar to Generations Z and Alpha who are deeply attached to technological devices, remains profoundly relevant. Viewing is indeed one of the most effective ways to absorb information. Compelling visuals possess the power to captivate anyone who sees them. Human memory tends to retain attractive visualizations far more effectively than long texts, even when those texts originate from digital platforms.
This phenomenon is reinforced by Allan Paivio’s dual-coding theory (1973). Paivio explained that images are processed through two cognitive channels—verbal and imaginal—making them easier to remember and retrieve than words alone. Paivio and Csapo’s 1973 research in Cognitive Psychology demonstrated the superiority of images in free recall, laying the foundation for the picture superiority effect. These findings remain consistent with contemporary studies that continue to affirm the advantage of visuals in both short-term and long-term memory.
I refer to this phenomenon as the Visual Media Trap. People are easily deceived by short video-based reporting rather than seeking comprehensive information sources. Amid the onslaught of digital technology, public media has access to a diverse range of news sources. Yet in an often unstable environment, comprehensive analysis of news sources has become an urgent necessity.
Challenges for Media Businesses The ‘Visual Media Trap’ is a challenge currently faced by news media, whether consciously or not. Increasing bounce rates and visitor numbers on digital news platforms is essential for sustaining and growing media businesses. Attracting readers is no easy task. Competition among national news outlets alone is already intensely fierce.
According to data from the Press Council up to 2026, 1,261 media outlets have been administratively and factually verified. Cyber media dominates with 952 platforms, followed by print (250), television (48), and radio (11). These outlets must contend with the massive wave of social media, which delivers real-time and highly current news framing.
The Reuters Institute Digital News Report and surveys by Indikator Politik Indonesia (2026) show that while trust in mainstream media remains higher than in social media, the trend is declining. Indikator’s survey indicates that the public still trusts mainstream media more, but social media excels in speed and accessibility, making it the primary source for young people. Other studies from AJI and various institutions confirm that trust in social media tends to be lower due to rampant misinformation, despite higher usage rates.
Attracting readers is not merely a matter of media business profits. There is a noble duty that journalists must uphold: delivering comprehensive education on every event. In Indonesia, where reading interest and digital literacy still lag behind other ASEAN countries, we are often trapped by news framing. The ASEAN Digital Literacy Index places Indonesia at the lowest position with a score of around 62%, while the ASEAN average reaches 70%. Singapore exceeds 76%, with neighboring countries like Malaysia and Thailand also performing better.
Although Indonesia’s Digital Society Index (IMDI) rose to 44.53 in 2025, the challenge of critical literacy remains significant—especially among the younger generation, who are highly familiar with technology but vulnerable to viral content without verification.
Between Two Narratives Two inseparable elements define the purpose of news media. First, the pursuit of profit and significant economic value. Second, the delivery of comprehensive digital literacy to the reading public, particularly the younger generation who must be critical toward facts and data while being deeply immersed in technology.
Ultimately, the media business is not solely a narrative of profit within the digital ecosystem. It is also a noble narrative about the intelligence and reason of the nation in interpreting events. As Aristotle said, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” This quote, often associated with Aristotelian ethics and epistemology in works such as Nicomachean Ethics, underscores the importance of critical thinking and avoiding entrapment by first impressions—including captivating visuals.
In an era where social media algorithms push sensational visual content, journalists must serve as the last bastion of literacy. Media outlets carry a dual responsibility: economic survival alongside the preservation of journalistic integrity. Visuals are indeed powerful, but without context and in-depth analysis, they can become traps that undermine public reason.
To overcome the ‘Visual Media Trap’, media must innovate. This means combining the strength of visuals with deep narratives, transparent fact-checking, and digital literacy education. Collaboration among media, government, and civil society is essential to raise public awareness. Generations Z and Alpha should not merely be target audiences, but partners equipped with critical thinking tools—so they do not only consume information, but also understand and create high-quality content.
As a national media outlet, we are called to return to the essence of journalism: not merely presenting news, but illuminating truth. From the eyes it may reach the heart, but a discerning heart will always seek the light of reason behind every captivating visual. Only then can this nation advance as a society that is not only digitally connected, but also holistically and thoroughly educated.