Exclusive, Chairman Of PWI Hendry Ch Bangun In Doubt About The Independence of Media Owners Who are Concurrently High-Ranking Political Party Officials

According to PWI Chairman Hendry Ch Bangun neutrality for journalists during the presidential and general elections is non-negotiable. (Photo Savic Rabos, DI Raga Granada VOI)

Several large mass media are owned by top political party leaders in this country. Seeing this reality, the General Chair of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), Hendry Ch Bangun, hopes that they can maintain their independence ahead of and during the 2024 presidential and general elections. However, he doubts whether this independent and neutral attitude can be realized by them, the owners who are also political party officials.

***

In 2024, Indonesia will again hold general elections to select legislative candidates and presidential elections to select presidential and vice presidential candidates. A year before the implementation, the political temperature was already heating up. The coalition of several political parties to nominate their presidential and vice presidential candidates is already visible. To date, there are three pairs ready to run, namely the Anies Baswedan - Muhaimin Iskandar pair and the Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD pair who have registered with the General Election Commission (KPU). Meanwhile, the pair Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who were just announced on Sunday 22 October, will register on 25 October 2023.

The issue of media and journalist neutrality has actually existed since previous elections. According to Hendry Ch Bangun at the 2012 National Press Day commemoration event in Jambi which was attended by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, this issue was also discussed. "Television officials who are also political party officials easily say that they are independent. Even though the reality of their reporting is not what they say. That's why I doubt whether in this election they will be independent," he stressed.

Currently there are at least three names of high-ranking political party officials who are also media or media group leaders, Surya Paloh (Media Indonesia Group), Hary Tanoesoedibjo (MNC Group), Aburizal Bakrie (VIVA News). As is known, Surya Paloh is the General Chair of the Nasdem Party, Harry Tanoesoedibjo is the General Chair of the Perindo Party and Aburizal Bakrie is the Chair of the Golkar Party Advisory Board.

According to Hendry Ch Bangun, he is not sure that the political party's top officials will be independent or ensure that the media he owns will be independent. There will always be suspicions that there will be bias towards the party or group. "You can't hold on to the chairman or top officials of a political party. They say A and act B. For us as a journalist organization, we can only hand it over to our journalist friends who are involved. It's better to resign if you can't be independent. The problem is, whatever is done, the media will not be independent as long as the media is led by those who are also high-ranking political party officials," he said.

The Central PWI Honorary Council has also reminded journalists, especially PWI members, to strictly maintain neutrality as a form of independence in carrying out their profession. This was emphasized by the Chairman of the Central PWI Honorary Council (DK), Sasongko Tedjo, in connection with the approaching schedule for the 2024 general elections, including the presidential-vice presidential elections, regional head elections (pilkada), and legislative member elections (pileg). The 2024 presidential election is getting closer, marked by the start of registration of prospective presidential-vice presidential candidates at the General Election Commission (KPU) on October 19.

Hendry Ch Bangun expressed his appreciation to members of journalistic organizations who chose to resign as journalists because of their interest in politics in order to maintain their independence. Because mass media that are not independent in their reporting will become the public spotlight. And if that continues to happen, public trust will diminish in media that are not independent. "The public, viewers and readers can judge whether a media is independent or not. The consequence is that if the media is not independent in its reporting and still takes sides, the audience or readers will be left behind," he said to Edy Suherli, Savic Rabos and Irfan Medianto from VOI who met him. at the PWI Central Office, in the Press Council Building, Kebon Siri, Central Jakarta, not long ago. Here's the full interview.

PWI Chairman Hendry Ch Bangun has doubts about the independence of media owners who are also high-ranking political party officials. (Photo Savic Rabos, DI Raga Granada VOI)

What are your future management programs?

My priority program in this elected management is education and increasing the professional competency capacity of PWI members. The second is that PWI must return to its sermons as a result of the first PWI congress in Solo in 1946. Then PWI must return to its sermons in 1946. The first decision of the 1946 PWI congress stated that Indonesian journalists were involved in protecting the sovereignty of the country. So PWI does not talk about itself but also about the nation and state. Our job is not only to write news, but to help maintain the nation's sovereignty in all aspects; culture, politics, economics, etc.

PWI is an inseparable part of this nation's struggle. In my terms, PWI Merah Putih. NKRI in the broadest sense. So don't be misunderstood, we are pro the government that is currently in power. Implementation is through education and training programs. This PWI has been drifting for too long, so he no longer knows his true identity. PWI is different from other journalist organizations that were born after the reformation, which is based on universal humanism. PWI is a large organization whose abbreviation is the letter 'I' from the word Indonesia.

What else is important about your program?

Apart from that, we also talk about welfare. It is our concern how the welfare of members can be met. PWI tries to provide education about journalism, journalism, etc. The goal is ultimately to establish a PWI press college. There will also be courses and practical education that will enable PWI members to become teachers. The plan was made at the end of the late leadership period. Margiono, but it cannot be realized due to cost constraints. We will carry out soundings with various institutions, estimates that in the third or fourth year of management it can be realized. We start with a competency test, journalism safari, and Indonesian journalism school.

Which institutions will be collaborated with?

For the Indonesian Journalism School (SJI), we have collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Culture, we will communicate again to continue existing activities. About the basics and practice of journalism. Then there is also the economy which has to do with the convenience provided by the latest technology. Apart from the Ministry of Education and Culture, there are also institutions that have often collaborated with PWI.

The Complaints and Legal Aid Consultation Institute (LKBPH) is a priority for your management, it was stopped and then restarted, how big is the threat to journalists at the moment so this protection program is needed?

PWI is the largest journalist organization in Indonesia, we must have our own legal aid institution, that's why LKBPH is needed. Actually, the Press Council has one, but we ourselves are more suited to managing PWI members. We will handle all problems and legal cases experienced by members ourselves. PWI has the ability to do this because many of our legal experts and members are also advocates and have been involved in litigation. After preparations are complete, at the end of the year or early next year it will be able to operate. Later we will make an MoU with the National Police regarding this matter. Priority for PWI members, but it does not rule out the possibility that we can also handle things outside of that if we are trusted.

Technological developments cannot be stopped, therefore said PWI Chairman Hendry Ch Bangun, journalists must always be adaptive to technology. (Photo Savic Rabos, DI Raga Granada VOI)

Regarding the issue of media sustainability that was discussed by President Jokowi at HPN 2023, how do you see this issue, why is it not resolved yet, what are the difficulties that are causing this issue to drag on?

As far as I know, the manuscript is already in the KSP or the State Secretariat, we haven't received any news yet about how all this will end. Our concern is how small media can also benefit from the regulations regarding publisher rights, so it's not just big media. We propose that media that have not been verified can also benefit from this rule as long as it is managed properly.

During the 2023 HPN, President Jokowi said there were 100 days to complete this regulation, but has it gone far yet?

That is our concern, these regulations are far behind existing technological developments. In my opinion, this is too late, therefore, when this rule is issued, don't miss it. Social media penetration and the grip of global media continues to change. Coincidentally, in the current PWI management there are several people involved in creating the concept. Later we will provide an institutional stance and statement on this matter.

The issue of alleged media partiality is still an interesting issue ahead of the election, because many media owners are party members, including Surya Paloh (MI), Hary Tanoesoedibjo (MNC), Aburizal Bakrie (VIVA News), what is your response?

This problem has been going on since the previous two elections. During the 2012 National Press Day (HPN) commemoration in Jambi which was attended by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, this issue also came to the fore. Television officials who are also political party officials easily say that they are independent. Even though the reality of the results of their reporting is not what they say. That's why I doubt whether in this election they will be independent. If he claims to be a professional journalist, he must take a firm stance. If you want to play politics, it's better to leave the media. But this is not easy, if the journalist leaves the media where he works, where will he look for food.

If the chairman of a political party cannot be held. They say A and act B. For us as journalists, we can only hand it over to our friends who are involved. It's better to resign. The problem is that whatever is done, the media will not be independent as long as the media is led by those who are also high-ranking political party officials.

Is there a tool to monitor and assess whether this media is neutral or not neutral in its reporting?

If we don't have tools or equipment to assess. But the public, viewers and readers can judge whether a media is independent or not. The consequence is that if he continues to take sides, his audience or readers will be abandoned. Through social media, people continue to monitor. The regulations at PWI are that someone can become a member of a political party, but when they become administrators and legislative candidates or success teams they must resign from the organization. I appreciate the PWI members who resigned because they were interested in this political field. Service can be anywhere, including political parties, please choose.

Technological developments are increasingly rapid, there is artificial intelligence (AI) with its various derivatives, how do you see this affecting the world of journalism?

That is the need for us to equip member competencies, including insight into the latest technological developments such as AI. This has its pluses and minuses, challenges for journalists living in the current era. Journalists must be adaptive to technological developments so as not to be crushed by the times. Study, study, and study are the key words. We also have a board of experts who will provide insight and training on this matter.

Chatbots like ChatGPT and the like are emerging, creating news is not a problem nowadays. Does this situation threaten the profession of journalists?

Chatbots like ChatGPT and the like are like robotization in news writing, we ask what they write straight away. I have always believed that writing must have character. Our writing will be different from other people's if our characters are included in the writing. That's what must be developed, robot writing with our writing. For news that is static and numbers, there is no need for an actual broadcaster. For something interesting, attractive, and with character, humans are far superior. This is what needs to be honed and developed.

The issue of climate change is also something that is of concern to many parties, how can journalists play a role in preventing the negative impacts of climate change?

There are so many important things that our journalists don't write about. They tend to write things that are easy to reach. This environmental issue is only written by certain media, it should be written by the general media and all journalists. The consequences of hot weather and long dry weather are felt by everyone. Don't just rely on information from BMKG, for example. PWI will collaborate with partners to pay attention to things like this environment. The El Nino that occurred had an impact on many things, such as drought and forest and land fires in a number of areas. Through their writings, journalists can help raise awareness among the government, society, industry players and all parties to care about the safety and future of our earth.

   

These Are Hendry Ch Bangun's Easy Healthy Tips

PWI Chairman Hendry Ch Bangun exercises regularly to maintain his health. (Photo Savic Rabos, DI Raga Granada VOI)

Health is a priceless treasure. Hendry Ch Bangun, General Chair of PWI who was recently elected at the 2023 XXV Congress which was held in Bandung, realized this. After being elected for the 2023-2028 term of office, he must prepare himself physically so he can carry out the congress decisions mandated to him and the elected management.

"The exercise I do is morning walking. Every morning, I walk around my house for about 30 minutes. Previously, I had stopped because I experienced pain in my knee area. After therapy, my condition has improved and I am back to walking in the morning. There is no need "Forsir, the important thing is to move and sweat," said the man who was born on November 26 1958.

The matter of walking too hard this morning was truly a valuable lesson for him. "Previously, I forced myself too hard to walk in the morning. It turned out that was not good. My knees were not strong. Now I have to be self-aware, I can't exercise too much," he added.

According to Hendry, after exercising, he felt the benefits. "The body becomes fresher and fitter if we exercise regularly. Remember, the important thing for people my age is not to overwork it," emphasized Hendry, who started his journalistic career at Sportif Jakarta Magazine in 1982.

After being elected as General Chair of PWI, he must take better care of his physical condition so that he remains healthy and can carry out his duties as leader of the organization and direct the management to realize its work program.

Various Stews

As the elected Chairman of PWI, Hendry Ch Bangun emphasized that PWI must return to its guidelines. (Photo Savic Rabos, DI Raga Granada VOI)

Not just exercising, Hendry Ch Bangun's tips for achieving a healthy and fit body. For this matter, he is also not stingy in sharing his experiences. "I really like drinking boiled leaves from my yard. There are betel leaves, neem leaves, klutuk guava leaves and binahong. I drink them alternately. The benefits are that the body becomes lighter, it's easier to move," said Hendry, who also worked as a journalist for Kompas Jakarta Daily until he retired in 2018.

According to Hendry, this herbal concoction is better than having to take medication prescribed by a doctor after being sick. Apart from the benefits that made him happy, there were almost no side effects from the various leaves he drank. These leaves enter the body like a supplement that complements the food intake obtained every day.

For food intake, Hendry is now trying to reduce carbohydrates. "In the morning and afternoon I still eat rice, but at night, I reduce it drastically. In the evening, I eat more fruit that is easy to get such as papaya, banana, mango, and so on," added Hendry, who is an avid consumer. goat's milk every morning and evening.

 

Education Program

During his leadership as PWI Chairman Hendry Ch Bangun prioritized education and journalist competency. (Photo Savic Rabos, DI Raga Granada VOI)

As announced at the PWI Congress in Bandung, the education program is a priority for Hendry and his management. "I prioritize educational programs, training and increasing the professional competency capacity of PWI members. In the near future, we will carry out assessments for existing UKW examiners," said Hendry Ch Bangun, who served as Secretary General of PWI for the 2008-2013 period and 2013-2018.

In the near future, PWI will socialize the National Press and at the same time build the Pancasila Press Graha in Yogyakarta. "Five years ago, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono he asked.

After the pilot project in Yogyakarta is completed, it is hoped that it will spread to other provinces throughout Indonesia. "Don't forget, PWI is the largest and oldest journalist organization in Indonesia, so it must be an example and locomotive of change," said the author of the book "The Face of the Nation in Sports: 100 Years of Indonesian Sports News" in 2007, "Covering and Writing Sports" as well in 2007, as well as a Collection of Sports Essays in 2012.

Hendry Ch Bangun prays that he and the Central PWI management can realize the work program that has been planned. "We ask for prayers and support so that the program we have prepared can be implemented and be beneficial for members, in particular, and society, in general," he said.

"This issue of independence has been going on since the previous two elections. During the 2012 National Press Day (HPN) commemoration in Jambi which was attended by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, this issue also came to the surface. Television officials who are also high-ranking political party officials easily said that they were independent. Even though the reality of their reporting results is not what they say. That's why I doubt whether in this election they will be independent,"

Hendry Ch Bangun