The North Sumatra PWI Chairman Considers the Relationship with Bobby Nasution Positive, But Said All media Outlets Must be Involved.

JAKARTA - The Chairperson of the North Sumatra Journalists Association (PWI), Farianda Putra Sinik, considered the meeting between North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution and editors-in-chief a positive step. "I appreciate this meeting. The governor can directly gather input from the media because journalists know the conditions on the ground. Forums like this should become a regular agenda," Farianda said when met ahead of the PWI Congress in Jakarta on Monday (August 25, 2025).

Farianda emphasized that the media is a strategic partner of the government. "If there are negative aspects in the news, it's not because of dislike. Press criticism is actually a form of concern so that the governor can carry out his duties well," he said.

Therefore, he hopes that in the future, not only a few editors-in-chief but also all media leaders and journalist organizations in North Sumatra will be invited. "The governor must embrace all media outlets. There must be a broader space for exchanging ideas. The aspirations on the ground can be conveyed more comprehensively," he added.

The North Sumatra Communications and Information Agency's policy of inviting only 104 editors-in-chief has drawn criticism. The limited gathering, held at the Tengku Rizal Nurdin Hall in Medan, was deemed to not reflect the spirit of openness. Several media outlets that were not invited argued that the local government should have embraced all members of the press, not just certain groups.

The meeting was held this morning (Monday, August 25) at around 10:00 a.m. WIB under tight security from the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP). Only invited media leaders were allowed to enter.