2024 Election is Near, DK PWI Reminds Journalists of Neutrality

Chairman of the Central PWI Honorary Council (DK) Sasongko Tedjo chaired the Central PWI Honorary Council meeting. (PWI Doc)

JAKARTA - The Central PWI Honorary Council reminds journalists, especially PWI members, to truly maintain neutrality as a form of independence in carrying out their profession.

Chairman of the Central PWI Honorary Council (DK), Sasongko Tedjo, said this in connection with the approaching schedule for the 2024 General Election, including the presidential-vice presidential election (pilpres), regional head election (pilkada), and legislative member election (pileg). The 2024 presidential election is getting closer, marked by the start of registration of prospective presidential-vice presidential candidates at the General Election Commission (KPU), October 19.

Two days earlier (17 October), the PWI DK held its first meeting at the Central PWI Secretariat on the 4th floor of the Press Council Building, Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta. Present at the meeting were Deputy Chairman of the Union DK Z Lubis, Secretary Nurcholis MA Basyari as well as DK members Asro Kamal Rokan, Akhmad Munir, Diapari Sibatangkayu, Fathurrahman, and Helmi Burman.

Journalist Independence

Sasongko reminded that journalist independence is an important part of the PWI Code of Journalism Ethics (KEJ). He said the function and role of the press during times of political contestation was very crucial and necessary in encouraging a transparent, honest and fair election process.

In this way, democracy is not only efficient from a procedural perspective but also substantially effective so as to produce quality leaders, both in the presidential election, regional elections and legislative elections. The quality leader in question is one who has capacity, capability and integrity.

In that context, said Sasongko, the neutrality of journalists and the press cannot but be maintained. By maintaining their neutrality, journalists and the press can continue to carry out one of their main functions, namely enlightening and increasing political literacy while also being able to reduce various potential polarization and divisions in society.

Sasongko explained that the KEJ PWI which consists of 15 articles emphasizes the ethical guidelines for PWI member journalists in carrying out their profession. The first three articles clearly state that journalists are independent, credible, consider the impact of news on the integrity of the nation and issues of SARA (ethnicity, religion, taste, class), gender and disabled groups.

"Independence means reporting events or facts according to your conscience without interference, coercion or intervention from other parties, including press company owners," explained Sasongko.

Apart from that, journalists do not act in bad faith, do not broadcast journalistic work that is misleading, distorts facts, commits plagiarism, fake news/hoaxes, slander, obscenity and sadism.

Legislative Candidates and Winning Team

Especially for PWI administrators at all levels, Sasongko reminded that the principles of independence and neutrality must be strictly adhered to. In the PWI Basic Regulations (PD) and Household Regulations (PRT), it is explicitly stated that PWI administrators who nominate as legislative members or are involved in the success team, let alone run as regional head candidates, must resign. These provisions also apply to PWI administrators who take part in the village head contest or are involved as part of the winning team.

"Previously, you were only required to take leave or be inactive, but now you have to resign from management," said Sasongko Tedjo.

He said PWI respects the political rights of journalists as citizens. However, when carrying out their profession, journalists must be truly independent and neutral and side with national politics, namely ensuring that the election process is honest and fair. One of the most important things is to write in full about the candidate's profile and their track record.

“This is also in line with the function of the press as an institution of social control. "Journalists still have to be critical, participate in monitoring the 2024 elections so that they run smoothly without cheating," stressed Central PWI DK Chairman Sasongko Tedjo.