The Need For Press Critical Attitudes To Guard The Implementation Of The 2024 Pilkada

SPECIAL PHOTOS

JAKARTA - The 2024 Simultaneous Regional Head Election (Pilkada) stage, which has now begun, needs to be monitored by a number of parties. One of them is the mass media through the role of election reporting.

The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) held the 2024 Peace Pilkada Seminar with the theme "Building a Successful, Safe, Participatory Pilkada" at the Press Council Hall, Central Jakarta.

In the seminar, the Chairperson of the Press Council, Ninik Rahayu, emphasized that the press must be critical in overseeing the election, so that public participation can be increased.

"The role of the press as a watchdog in the government oversees both in designing regulations, implementing regulations, and impact regulations for the community," said Ninik Rahayu, Wednesday, June 5.

Ninik emphasized that the press must invite public participation in the 2024 Pilkada without being trapped in procedural or practical political reports.

"Pers must educate the public about leadership at the provincial and regional levels and create a conducive atmosphere while carrying out its functions properly," said Ninik.

Meanwhile, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Suhajar Diantoro, stated that the government had prepared 2024 Pilkada funding. In detail, the budget allocation is IDR 28.79 trillion for the KPU and IDR 8.6 trillion for Bawaslu, as well as security support from the TNI-Polri.

"All regional heads are required to report the use of the budget, and the public, including students and journalists, have the right to know the use of the budget," said Suhajar.

Karoops Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Pol. Tory Kristianto, continued, Polda Metro Jaya officers, including Bekasi, Depok, and Tangerang areas, have prepared the security of the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada.

"We are optimistic that the implementation of the Simultaneous Regional Head Elections in 2024 will run safely, smoothly, and orderly," said Tori.

Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of the Central PWI, Hendry Ch Bangun, explained that this seminar invited the mass media to oversee the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada as a whole, including the use of budgets, technical regulations, personal organizers, as well as socialization and dissemination of information.

"The Central PWI held this seminar as a follow-up to a circular letter from the Minister of Home Affairs inviting PWI to participate in the 2024 Pilkada to run well, safely, and smoothly, as well as increase voter participation," explained Hendry.