Government Prepares 3,000 Journalist Subsidy Houses, Guarantees Independent Journalists

BEKASI - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid said that the government increased the number of subsidized houses for workers in the media industry, from initially 1,000 houses, to 3,000 homes.

The increase in the number of units is carried out considering the increasing number of media workers. Meutya said that the current number of journalists is approximately 100 thousand workers.

"The journalist in Indonesia is because it is difficult to record the exact figure. The number is approximately 100 thousand or 70%, Mr. Ara, does not yet have a decent house," said Meutya in the Handover of the Key House Program for Indonesian Media Industry Employees on Tuesday, May 6 in Cibitung, Bekasi Regency.

Meutya emphasized that this is not only a matter of providing a home, but about giving recognition of the large contribution of media workers in maintaining and strengthening democracy.

"The welfare of the media is the key to maintaining the quality of democracy. A healthy medium, of course, must start with the welfare of its workers," he added.

The launch of this program is a real step for the government in strengthening a healthier, more empowered, and sustainable media ecosystem, which in turn will have a positive impact on the Indonesian people and democracy.

Despite getting a subsidy house, Meutya guarantees that this program will not interfere with journalists' independence. Because according to him, all journalists can work as usual, in accordance with the applicable journalistic code of ethics.

"I think professional journalists who are full of idealism and it is impossible to do that too, and the government has no intention," he said.