Support Subsidized Home Program For Journalists, PWI Values Not Disturbing Press Independence

Illustration of housing development (Between)

JAKARTA The General Chairperson of the Central PWI, Hendry Ch Bangun, welcomed the government program that offers subsidized houses for journalists. According to him, this program is in line with the real aspirations of PWI members in the regions.

"I was contacted by several regional administrators who asked about the opportunity to get a subsidized house," said Hendry in a press statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 16.

The subsidized house offer for journalists began with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of PKP, the Ministry of Communication and Trade, and BPS on April 8.

In its program, the Government offers 1,000 subsidized housing units specifically for journalists, in addition to allocations for teachers, health workers, members of the TNI/Polri, and other low-income people.

Hendry assessed that this policy is very relevant to the situation in the media industry which has been under pressure for the last three years. On the other hand, the need for a place to live remains a priority for many journalists who have a limited income.

"This is the right step and has nothing to do with press independence," said Hendry.

He emphasized that journalists will continue to carry out social control functions professionally "provide criticism, suggestions, and solutions to public policies".

He also ensured that PWI would always be open, critical, and constructive to government policies, as long as the program was aimed at the welfare of the people.

PWI, said Hendry, invites its members who meet the criteria for participating in this program. The condition is that they are still actively working in the media, have competency certificates, and earn a maximum of IDR 8 million per month (race) or IDR 13 million (family).

"Residents are intellectual professions. They are free on thought and do not see problems narrowly," he said.