78th PWI Anniversary, Minister Of Communication And Information Budi Arie Setiadi: The Birth Of PWI Has A Sacred Mission

Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi was present and cut the cone on PWI's birthday. (photo: Dinda Buana/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi attended the 78th Anniversary of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) at the Central PWI Office at the Press Council Building, Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, Friday 9 February.

Present at the event, apart from the Chairman of the Central PWI Hendry Ch Bangun, PWI Secretary General Sayid Iskandarsyah, a senior journalist, and another invitation, namely Karo Penmas Police Headquarters Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko; Chairman of the Press Council Ninik Rahayu, envoy from Malaysia and representatives from Central Astra.

The event was simple but solemn. The commemoration was marked by the cutting of the cone by the Minister of Communication and Information as an expression of gratitude on the 78th Anniversary of PWI. "From the time it was born, PWI has a sacred mission to educate the nation and improve the welfare of the people in order to bring Indonesia to become a developed country," said Budi Arie Setiadi.

PWI is the first journalist organization in Indonesia to be born in Surakarta or Solo on February 9, 1946. The first PWI chairman is Mr. Sumanang Surjowinoto who was elected at the first PWI congress 9-10 February 1946.

In its development, PWI's birthday was then designated by the government as National Press Day (HPN). It was determined based on Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 5 of 1985 concerning National Press Day. The Presidential Decree was signed by President Suharto on January 23, 1985. Until now, HPN is celebrated every year. For 2024, the celebration of the peak of HPN will be held in Ancol, North Jakarta on February 20.

Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi said, as the 4th pillar of democracy, the national press has a central role in Indonesia's history. Likewise with PWI, which since its birth 78 years ago has brought a sacred mission, namely to participate in defending Indonesia's independence.

Currently, added Budi Arie, with the spirit of youth, the national press is faced with challenges and is required to immediately adjust so that it can answer the challenges of technological disruption.

It said the government would continue to assist the sustainability of the national press and increase the professionalism of journalists by issuing regulations that are expected to make press personnel happy.

"At the peak of the 2024 HPN on February 20, it is hoped that President Jokowi will read out the Presidential Decree on Publisher Rights. Hopefully with this regulation, members of the press will be happy," said Budi Arie.

Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi is optimistic that the existence of regulations can help realize the sustainability of journalistic works and quality media life.

The PWI 78th Anniversary event which took place simply was also attended by senior PWI journalists and PWI Chairs throughout Indonesia who participated online. There were representatives of the Press Council constituents such as from AJI, PFI, SPS, PRRSNI, ATVSI, AMSI and so on.

The current management of the Central PWI, for the period 2023-2028, chaired by Hendry Ch Bangun, was elected to the PWI XXV Congress in Bandung on September 27, 2023. That means, HPN 2024 is the first HPN for PWI under the leadership of Hendry Ch Bangun.

Chairman of the Central PWI Hendry Ch Bangun in his speech said the PWI 78th Anniversary event was broadcast live online to 38 provinces and one PWI special branch, namely Solo. Currently, the number of PWI members reaches around 24,000 people.

Hendry hopes that the 78th Anniversary of PWI will be more enthusiastic about maintaining democracy and being committed to press independence.

This is reflected in the theme of the 2024 HPN, namely Monitoring the Transition of National Leadership and Caring for the Integrity of the Nation. "For PWI, the integrity of the nation is number one," said Hendry Ch Bangun.

According to Hendry, to contribute to the progress of democracy, PWI in order to welcome the 78th Anniversary and 2024 HPN, has invited three presidential candidates (candidates), respectively Anies Baswedan; Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo. In a dialogue with the three presidential candidates, the three conveyed their commitment to maintaining press independence as the key to a democratic country.

Meanwhile, in line with others, Karo Penmas at the National Police Headquarters Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said that the press is a partner of the National Police so that his party is ready to continue collaborating with the media. "Pers is a strategic partner and emotional closeness. Regarding the anniversary of PWI Polri, the press hopes that the press can continue to improve its professionalism in order to educate the nation, including its welfare," he said.

Chairman of the Press Council, Ninik Rahayu, on his occasion said that with age, PWI actually got younger, his enthusiasm was demanded so that he was required to continue to make a positive contribution to the press professional.