Indonesia and Turkey sign MoU to strengthen media and public communication cooperation

Prabowo Subianto and Erdogan witness historic agreement on strategic communication collaboration.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (L) hold a joint press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Türkiye, on April 10, 2025. Photo by Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Anadolu

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a significant step toward deepening bilateral relations, Indonesia and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen media and public communication cooperation, marking a new chapter in strategic collaboration between the two nations. The agreement, signed in Ankara on the evening of April 10, was witnessed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reflecting the high-level importance attached to this initiative.

The MoU was formalized between Hasan Nasbi, Head of Indonesia's Presidential Communication Office (PCO), and Fahrettin Altun, Turkey's Director of Communications. The agreement covers a wide scope of cooperation, including technology transfer in the media sector, joint training programs on crisis communication, and capacity-building for public relations professionals.

According to a press release issued by the PCO on Friday, the MoU reflects the shared commitment of both countries to confront global communication challenges through innovation, transparency, and collaboration.

“This is not just a cooperation on paper,” emphasized Nasbi. “It is a concrete implementation of how two major countries with a long history collaborate to strengthen transparent, strategic, and adaptive public communication.”

A milestone in bilateral media relations

Indonesia and Turkey sign MoU to strengthen media and public communication cooperation, encapsulates a timely and relevant partnership. In an era where misinformation, disinformation, and digital threats are increasingly shaping public narratives, this agreement signifies a proactive measure to safeguard national interests through credible communication systems.

This MoU also comes at a time when both countries are experiencing dynamic political and geopolitical shifts. For Indonesia, the partnership aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s broader strategy to modernize public governance and expand diplomatic influence. For Turkey, the agreement reinforces President Erdogan’s vision of positioning the country as a regional communication hub in Eurasia.

By investing in communication infrastructure and cooperative programs, both nations aim to present a united front in the global arena of information management.

The human connection: Staff exchange and joint training

A particularly notable aspect of the MoU is the plan to launch a staff exchange program between the Indonesian PCO and the Turkish Directorate of Communications. This initiative aims to foster cultural understanding, knowledge sharing, and cross-border learning.

Nasbi shared that PCO staff members would soon travel to Turkey for specialized training in crisis communication and digital media strategies. Conversely, Turkish experts will visit Indonesia to share their experience in countering online misinformation and promoting state narratives in complex geopolitical environments.

“This cooperation is not only strategic but personal,” Nasbi said. “When communication officers from both countries learn from one another, they create a professional bond that enhances institutional ties.”

Technology transfer and future-forward media strategies

One of the central components of the MoU is technology transfer in the field of media and communications. In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, keeping up with advanced tools and platforms is essential for effective public messaging. The agreement envisions the sharing of software systems, analytics tools, and digital monitoring frameworks that help institutions track public sentiment and respond to crises in real time.

Both parties emphasized that such cooperation will contribute directly to improving Indonesia's digital sovereignty and resilience in times of information warfare.

Altun echoed this sentiment, noting that Turkey has developed several indigenous platforms and systems for secure, sovereign communication. "By partnering with Indonesia, we are building a network of trusted allies who value truth, stability, and the role of state institutions in democratic discourse," he remarked.

Shared values and long-term vision

At its core, the agreement is rooted in a shared value system that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and adaptive communication. Both Indonesia and Turkey have faced communication crises in the past—whether due to natural disasters, political unrest, or foreign disinformation campaigns. This MoU allows both countries to learn from those experiences and institutionalize best practices.

The long-term vision includes the development of a joint communication framework that could serve as a model for other nations in the Global South. If successful, this framework might be proposed at international platforms such as the G20 or the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where both countries hold significant sway.

The diplomatic ripple effect

The agreement is also expected to have diplomatic spillover effects. By aligning communication strategies, Indonesia and Turkey are poised to enhance coordination in other multilateral efforts, such as defense, trade, and humanitarian cooperation. This echoes the tone set by earlier announcements during President Prabowo’s visit to Turkey, including Indonesia’s expressed interest in participating in the Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet project.

Analysts suggest that this growing Indonesia-Turkey axis could redefine regional alliances, particularly as both nations seek to balance relations with Western powers while asserting their autonomy on the global stage.

A future shaped by words and will

As the world grapples with the consequences of fragmented information ecosystems and a rise in digital threats, agreements like the one between Indonesia and Turkey offer a blueprint for proactive, principled engagement in public communication.

The move shows that statecraft in the 21st century is not only defined by military might or economic power—but also by the ability to communicate effectively, respond swiftly, and connect meaningfully with domestic and global audiences.

As Indonesia and Turkey sign MoU to strengthen media and public communication cooperation, they set an example of how diplomacy and communication go hand in hand—shaping not only narratives but the future itself.