MK's Decision Is a Breath, But the Editor-in-Chief is Still Caught in the Pressure of Power

The Constitutional Court's ruling sheds light - although the press road is still difficult. (Illustration: AI-generated / editorial illustration)

JAKARTA - The Constitutional Court (MK) decision strengthening the protection of journalists is considered to give breathing room for press freedom. However, in the field, the greatest pressure is felt by the leaders of the editorial board who must maintain media independence in the midst of legal threats, economic pressures, and power relations.

Former PWI Central Chairman Hendry Ch Bangun described the position of the current editor-in-chief as being in a very tight situation. "Being a media leader now is like paddling between the reefs. A little wrong can hit the reef, be scolded, and even lose advertising," said Hendry in a written statement received by VOI in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 20.

He assessed that the Supreme Court Decision Number 145/PUU-XXIII/2025 was important because it confirmed that disputes originating from journalistic works should not be immediately brought to the criminal realm. "The solution must prioritize the mechanism of the Press Law by involving the Press Council," he said.

However, Hendry Ch Bangun, who also served as Deputy Chairman of the Press Council, reminded that legal protection does not automatically eliminate economic pressure on the media. "The press that is relatively surviving today is the press that is accommodating, avoiding conflicts with budget owners in the center and regions," he said.

As a result, continued Hendry, many news reports turned into a ceremonial and full of praise. "What is actually only the obligation of officials, in the news it seems like a great achievement. The critical attitude is slowly disappearing," he said.

On the other hand, choosing to be too safe is also risky. "If you want to be safe, public trust is lost. Journalists turn into public relations officers who only continue to release without deepening," said Hendry, who is the Founder and Member of the Board of Trustees of the National Journalists Forum (FWK).

He also highlighted the increasingly massive non-legal pressure. "Not only criminal threats, but also psychological violence, doxing, to the terror of journalists' homes and offices. The condition can even be judged to be worse than in the past," he said.

To illustrate the dilemma, Hendry quoted Ronggowarsito's poem in Serat Kalatidha verse VII:

"Amenangi jaman edan, ewuh aya ing pambudi.

Melu edan ora tahan,

"Yen tan melu anglakoni,

Boya kaduman melik, kaliren wekasanipun.

"By the will of God,

Begja-begjaning kang lali,

"Luwih begja kang eling lan waspada."

The poem describes a chaotic and full of dilemmas. Following the flow is considered impossible to do, but if you don't follow the flow, you risk being eliminated and losing your livelihood. However, Ronggowarsito emphasized that in such conditions, people who remain aware, alert, and do not lose their conscience are actually luckier than those who choose to forget and adapt without attitude.

According to Hendry, the poem reflects the difficult choices of the press today. Follow the flow to survive or remain sane and critical with all its risks. "Criticism must continue to be voiced as long as it is based on facts, balanced, and without bad intentions. That is the spirit of the press," he said.