The uproar surrounding the revocation of the identity card of a journalist working at the presidential palace has sparked widespread outcry. The revocation raises concerns about censorship and a clampdown on press freedom. According to Drs. H. Akhmad Munir, Chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), there is no censorship of journalists. Press freedom is guaranteed by law.

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This issue was actually resolved after the Palace's Press, Media, and Information Bureau (BPMI) apologized and reinstated the identity cards that had been withdrawn shortly after journalists met with President Prabowo Subianto. At the time, journalists had asked about poisoning cases related to the MBG program in several regions.

However, the President responded well to the journalists' questions. "If the President responds well, the Press and Media Bureau should do the same. But what we witnessed was the revocation of the identity cards of journalists who asked about MBG. Perhaps there was someone within the Press and Media Bureau who misled them, leading to this action. In my opinion, it was an oversight," said Munir.

Munir said there are many lessons to be learned from this incident. "Public relations, the Palace's BPMI, or public relations officers must fully understand the legal regulations governing press issues. There are Article 28(F) of the 1945 Constitution, Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, and the Journalists' Code of Ethics. Furthermore, they must also understand the derivative regulations of the laws governing press issues," he said.

Akhmad Munir hopes that this type of identity card revocation will not happen again in the future. "We hope that incidents like this will not happen again. The Palace's Press, Media, and Information Bureau (BPMI) must fully understand the duties of journalists and must respect each other in carrying out their respective duties. A journalist's obligation is to ask questions, and sources have the right to respond, because the public has a right to know," Akhmad Munir told Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, and Dandi Juniar from VOI, who met him at the PWI Central Office in Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, on September 30, 2025.

Does the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) consider the revocation of the reporting cards of journalists assigned to the Palace, despite a peace agreement, to be an indication of silencing or censorship based on the content of their questions?

Yesterday's incident involving the revocation of the identity cards of our colleagues assigned to the Palace is indeed unjustifiable. It violates the laws and regulations in force in this country. This includes Article 28(F) of the 1945 Constitution, which states that the public has the right to communicate and obtain information. This incident also violates Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, which affirms that press freedom is guaranteed and that there may be no suppression or censorship of the National Press. Journalists in carrying out their journalistic duties receive legal protection.

During the doorstop with reporters, President Prabowo continued to respond to questions about the MBG. However, the journalists' identity cards were subsequently revoked. Is this a form of overreaction by officials in charge of press affairs?

Yes, the President responded very well at the time and wisely responded to journalists' questions regarding the dynamics of the MBG. This indicates that the President is not anti-journalists; in fact, he appears serious about addressing the MBG issue. If the President responded well, the Press and Media Bureau should have done the same. However, what we witnessed was the revocation of the identity cards of journalists who asked about MBG. Perhaps there was misinformation within the Press and Media Bureau that led to such action. In my opinion, it was an oversight.

And after various agencies, institutions, and professional organizations spoke out, the journalists' identity cards were finally restored. What is your response?

The Press Council, the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), and other press associations have indeed spoken out on this matter. We hope that an incident like this will not happen again in the future. The Palace's Press, Media, and Information Bureau (BPMI) must truly understand the duties of journalists. There must be mutual respect in carrying out their respective duties. A journalist's obligation is to ask questions, and a source's right is to respond, because the public has a right to know.

Now that this issue is considered resolved, are there any concrete steps from the PWI, along with other professional organizations, to prevent a similar incident from happening again?

We commend the Palace's BPMI for responding quickly to the comments of the Press Council and professional organizations, including the PWI. They acknowledged their mistake and apologized. It was a chivalrous gesture and a form of remorse that deserves appreciation. Once again, let's hope something like this doesn't happen again in the future.

And this applies not only to the Palace, but also to all agencies and institutions, both government and private. Press freedom is guaranteed by law. All parties must respect journalistic work and guarantee press freedom. We can all learn from this case.

Does the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) have a complaint center for journalists who experience this kind of behavior?

We have a complaint center for anyone experiencing interference in their journalistic work. This also applies to members of the public who feel disadvantaged by improper journalistic practices by individual journalists. We will take action if any of our members violate the rules and code of ethics.

Are there many cases submitted to the PWI post and complaints filed?

Yes, especially in the regions, many reports relate to specific cases resulting from journalist investigations.

Is the PWI pushing for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or Joint Guidelines between the Palace and the press community to prohibit sanctions based on the content of questions?

The PWI and other professional journalist organizations are constituents of the Press Council. When the Press Council signs an MoU with the National Police, the Prosecutor's Office, and other parties, we implement what is agreed upon in the MoU. For example, in cases of criminalization of journalists, violence against journalists, and so on, journalists' work is followed up with maximum legal protection.

Will the PWI push for a similar MoU with the Palace?

I think this is a good idea and could be implemented, especially if it's deemed necessary to maintain press freedom and clarify the boundaries of each person's role.

Should a public official be restricted in accepting questions from journalists, especially if they relate to important issues?

I don't think there should be any restrictions. It's natural for journalists to ask important questions, such as in the MBG case. The important thing is that the questions are asked politely. It's good for journalists to seek responses from officials, especially the President. Even if they can't answer completely, that's okay; they can continue at another opportunity. Journalists should also not push if the source isn't ready.

And during the doorstop at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, the President responded wisely. He even promised to summon the Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BGN) to follow up on the numerous poisoning cases.

Are there any rules for journalists when conducting press conferences or doorstops with sources?

Yes. During press conferences or doorstops, journalists should not use any equipment that disturbs sources. Ask questions politely and take turns. That's the rule. If journalists carry out their duties well, sources will respond well.

What lessons can be learned from the revocation of the Palace journalists' identity cards, which were later reinstated?

First, this incident serves as a reminder for officials who handle journalists—including public relations, the Palace's BPMI (Indonesian Press Agency), and public relations—to thoroughly understand the legal regulations governing press matters. These include Article 28(F) of the 1945 Constitution, Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, and the Journalists' Code of Ethics. Furthermore, they must also understand the derivative regulations of these laws governing press matters.

If they had mastered the rules and regulations related to the press, I believe the incident of unilaterally revoking the Palace journalists' identity cards would not have happened.

This also serves as a lesson for journalists to always uphold the code of ethics. When we carry out our duties by adhering to the code of ethics, God willing, we will produce good journalistic work, and we will be respected in communicating with any source.

And journalists shouldn't be afraid to ask important and crucial questions because their duties are guaranteed by law?

Yes, that's right. Especially if it's something the public needs to know. That's what journalists, the media, and their sources must prioritize.

In essence, the government and journalists share the same goal—both working for the public interest. Journalists provide the public with the information they need, while the government and officials want to convey information so the public knows. Therefore, both should partner for the public good.

Elected as Chairman of the Central PWI, These Are Akhmad Munir's Priorities

The dualism within the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) was finally ended through the 2025 PWI Congress, held in Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, on August 29–30, 2025. At the forum, Drs. H. Akhmad Munir was elected as the General Chair of the PWI Central Office for the 2025–2030 period. What priority programs will the man, affectionately known as Cak Munir, implement?

"Thank God, the PWI Congress went smoothly. And I was elected as the new General Chair of the PWI Central Office," said the man who also serves as the President Director of the Indonesian Journalists Association (LKBN) Antara.

The congress ended the PWI's dualism that had persisted for two years. Previously, there were two leaderships: the PWI formed at the 2023 Bandung Congress, led by Hendry Ch Bangun, and the PWI formed at the 2024 Jakarta Extraordinary Congress, chaired by Zulmansyah Sakedang.

"Finally, both parties realized the need to reunite the PWI. I also formed a cabinet that is also a unity cabinet," said the man born in Sumenep on December 15, 1966.

Munir's first task was to unite the two previously divided factions. "I am currently consolidating the organization by accelerating the unification of dual leadership in provinces and regencies throughout Indonesia. The target is to have everything completed by the end of October 2025," he emphasized.

The next step is re-verifying members. "Because during the recent conflict, each faction issued its own membership cards. This must be verified to ensure that PWI members are truly journalists," he said.

Another area of ​​concern, according to Munir, is the improvement of the PD/PRT (Basic Regulations and Bylaws). "The recent conflict also occurred due to weaknesses in the PD/PRT. We will improve it, and the revised results will be ratified at the National Conference in February 2026. I have formed a PD/PRT improvement team, a dualism resolution team, and a membership verification team," he explained.

Training and Education

In addition to these three main agendas, the Indonesian Journalism Journalists Association (PWI) will also focus on education and training programs. "We've had a Journalist Competency Test (UKW) program, but it was suspended for two years by the Press Council. Now we're reinstating it because there's been a lot of demand from the regions," he said.

Akhmad Munir also added that the existing Indonesian Journalism School (SJI) will be reinstated. Together with the Press Council and the Indonesian press community, PWI will strengthen the national press ecosystem, particularly in the face of the threat of disruption from global media. "This idea received a positive response from the Minister of Law, and he is committed to strengthening it through regulatory channels," said the alumnus of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Jember State University (UNEJ).

Munir also highlighted the importance of the Presidential Decree on Publisher Rights, which will be strengthened into law, so that the Indonesian press will be more competitive and on par with global platforms. "Currently, they dominate the advertising and distribution of local content. This is a tough fight and requires the unity of all press personnel," he emphasized.

As the oldest and largest journalist organization in Indonesia, Munir believes the PWI must be optimized to maximize its potential. "First, we emphasize that PWI journalists must adhere to the code of ethics. Second, journalists must work together with national stakeholders to build constructive communication. The press's function is to seek truth and justice," he said.

Strengthening PWI

According to Munir, conflict within the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) is nothing new. "The PWI once split during the reigns of BM Diah and Rosihan Anwar. Now it's happening again. Therefore, the organization's rules must be refined. We aim to make the PWI PD/PRT clear, without partial interests," he explained.

Due to the organization's size, the PWI Movement often sluggish. Therefore, the PWI leadership will undergo reforms. "We will regenerate to create new energy. We encourage regional PWIs to recruit young, agile journalists. There will be events like the Adinegoro Award and similar events to encourage high-achieving PWI journalists. True journalists are those who actively hunt for news and write it with beautiful language," he explained.

In today's digital age, Munir reminded journalists not to be afraid of technological advances such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). "AI is certainly helpful, but don't get caught up in its capabilities. Journalists possess a skeptical instinct, empathy, sympathy, and emotional sensitivity—things that AI lacks. These are what must be optimized to ensure journalists remain superior," explained the man who once served as Chairman of the East Java Journalists Association (PWI).

Akhmad Munir emphasized that AI is merely a tool, not a replacement. "AI is only a complement to assist journalists' work. The most important thing is still humans—journalists with thoughts, intellect, feelings, and hearts. True journalism is alive and able to combine all of these. From there, we can see which journalists' work is genuine," he concluded.

"Freedom of the press is guaranteed by law, and there is no restriction or censorship of the National Press. Journalists receive legal protection in carrying out their duties."