Kominfo Invites Public Relations Pranata To Actively Echo ASEAN 43rd Summit: Against Disinformation And Inspiring The Community

YOGYAKARTA - Welcoming the 43rd ASEAN Summit which will soon be held in Jakarta, the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) raises the spirit of Public Relations Pranata to carry out a crucial role in conveying information related to the event. Indonesia as the host is committed to continuing to introduce the public about ASEAN relevance and significance, along with the spirit played in the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".

As a concrete step, the Directorate General of Information and Public Communication of Kominfo, who leads the Functional Pranata Public Relations (JFPH) Boarding Agency, held a National Convention on Public Relations Pranata with the theme "The Important Role of Public Relations Pranata Controls the 2023 ASEAN Summit Orkestration". The event was held at Sheraton Mustika, Yogyakarta Special Region, to foster the spirit that accompanies this historic momentum.

Budi Arie Setiadi, Minister of Communication and Information, who was present online at the convention online, emphasized that Indonesia, as Chair of ASEAN, focuses three main focuses: regional growth, connectivity, and new advantages; inclusive and participatory digital economic transformation to reduce gaps; as well as green infrastructure development, including the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and energy security.

Budi emphasized the need to work on ASEAN issues together and collaboratively to encourage the spirit and support of the community. He also invited the Public Relations and Iprahumas Pranata to actively emphasize ASEAN's achievements. What's more, this is the fifth time for Indonesia to hold ASEAN Chairship.

In the same context, Usman Kansong, Director General of Information and Public Communication, also gave a speech, inviting the Public Relations Pranata to continue to be active in the success of the 43rd ASEAN Summit which will take place on 5-7 September.

Usman highlighted the challenges faced by the government's public relations in conveying information related to the ASEAN Summit, especially in overcoming public anxiety about ASEAN's capacity. He emphasized the importance of effective public communication to turn negative views into trust in ASEAN's potential, as well as to fight the spread of fake news and disinformation that is still rampant in society.

"Strengthening the fire is easier than putting out the blazing fire. As government public relations, we need to focus on literacy to raise public awareness in recognizing disinformation and malinformation from an early age," added Usman.

This Convention facilitates Public Relations Pranata with three key resource persons, including Teuku Faizasyah, Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Juri Ardiantoro, Head of Deputy IV for Information and Political Communication, Presidential Staff Office, and Hasyim Gautama, Director of Governance and Public Communication Partnership.

The chairmanship of Indonesia in ASEAN 2023 has three main pillars, as explained by Teuku Faizasyah. The first is ASEAN Matters, which aims to maintain the relevance of ASEAN, becoming the motor of stability and peace in the region. The second is Epicentrum of Growth, which reflects the determination to realize concrete benefits for the people through the cooperation emphasized in the theme. The third pillar is ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), a concept of thought proposed by Indonesia to face challenges in a wider area.

On the other hand, Juri Ardiantoro underlined that Indonesia's role in the 43rd ASEAN Summit was not only related to the implementation, but also to strengthen the position of the state on the international stage. He encouraged all Public Relations and ASN Employees to become active communication agents to make the theme and message of this summit trend and go viral. In May 2023, Indonesia managed to host the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo.