SMSI asks for the turn to lead HPN 2026

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Cyber Media Association (SMSI) asked to be given the opportunity to be in charge of the 2026 National Press Day (HPN). The proposal was conveyed by the General Chair of SMSI Firdaus directly to the Chairman of the Press Council Komaruddin Hidayat.

The request was conveyed by Firdaus during the 2026 SMSI Award Night at the Press Council Hall, Jakarta, Thursday, June 18.

Firdaus said SMSI would immediately send an official letter to the Press Council. He assessed that the person in charge of HPN should not only revolve around a certain organization, but should be given in turn to all constituents of the Press Council.

"Insyaallah, with the permission of His Excellency the Chairman of the Press Council, hopefully the person in charge of the upcoming National Press Day will be SMSI. We will send a letter later," said Firdaus.

According to Firdaus, the proposal is not to monopolize HPN. SMSI actually wants to encourage the principle of equality between press organizations.

"At the upcoming HPN, all constituents must be given the opportunity as responsible parties for equality. AMSI, PRRSNI, ATVLI, there is PWI, there is SMSI and others. All of them must be placed equally and fairly," he said.

Firdaus also hopes that the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) will support the desire of SMSI to become the responsible party for HPN 2026.

"Please ask permission to return to PWI, hopefully later it will support us to become the responsible party," he said.

During the event, SMSI also gave the SMSI 2026 Award to government and community figures who were considered to have contributed to maintaining press freedom.

A total of 16 award recipients were selected from 61 names proposed by the SMSI district/city and provincial managers throughout Indonesia. The list was then screened to 32 candidates before 16 recipients were determined by the jury.

The jury board works under the coordination of the Secretary of the Jury Board, Prof. Dr. Taufiqurochman, and under the supervision of the Chairman of the SMSI Expert Board, Prof. Dr. Yudi Krisnandi.

Of the 16 award recipients, three figures will be nominated for the SMSI Gold Pin award. The award is planned to be handed over at the upcoming HPN anniversary.

Firdaus said that HPN should be a common space for all press organizations. Therefore, he asked all constituents of the Press Council to be given an equal position.

"All constituents must be placed equally and fairly. That is the spirit we want to build," he said.

The 2026 SMSI Award Night was attended by the Chairman of the Press Council Komaruddin Hidayat, SMSI central management, award recipients, and press figures from various regions.