Anies' Dialogue With PWI, The Press Must Avoid Provocative News

Presidential Candidate Anies Baswedan together with the General Chairperson of the Central PWI Hendry Ch Bangun at the Press Council Building, Friday, December 1 (Ist)

Presidential Candidate (Capres) number 1, Anies Baswedan appealed to the press to avoid provocative news because it can strengthen polarization in the community, especially during the campaign period ahead of the 2024 General Election.

"Provocative news will only benefit buzzers and strengthen polarization in the community. So, don't give buzzers a "feeding"," said Presidential Candidate Anies Baswedan at the 2024 Presidential Candidate Dialogue with the Indonesian Journalists Association at the Central PWI office, Press Council Building, Jalan Kebon, Jakarta, Friday 1 December.

Anis Baswedan said that during his time as Governor of DKI Jakarta for the 2017-2022 period he had never used buzzers to fight public criticism. Instead, he said, as a state official he always opened up space for criticism for the public.

Even if later destined to be elected president, Anies Baswedan promised not to use buzzers. He appealed to the press to carry out social control functions and educate the public by opening up space for criticism and giving the government the same space to answer the criticism with the data and facts it has.

It is said that the press must be neutral and objective. However, in certain ways, for example seeing crime, it is clear that you must take sides in fighting crime.

Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of the Central PWI, Hendry Ch Bangun, said that the joint presidential candidate PWI dialogue event was held as part of the celebration of the 2024 National Press Day (HPN). The HPN peak event will take place in Jakarta on February 9, 2024.

Prior to Anies Baswedan's presidential candidate, PWI had held a dialogue with Ganjar Pranowo, Thursday, November 30, at the same place.