JAKARTA - World Press Freedom Day is a moment of reflection and contemplation for the press world in Indonesia. The General Chairperson of the Central PWI, Hendry Ch Bangun, reminded that the threat to press freedom in the country is increasingly real.
He emphasized that the state should not remain silent in seeing a crisis that weakens the function of the press as a pillar of democracy.
"We seem to forget that the 1998 Reformation has given birth to the Press Law which firmly places the press as the fourth pillar of democracy. The function of press control must be supported by all parties," said Hendry in his statement, Saturday, May 3.
According to Hendry, the main vulnerability actually comes from within the press industry itself. About 90 percent of media companies in Indonesia are said to be experiencing economic difficulties that have a direct impact on the welfare of journalists. In such conditions, journalists' independence is threatened.
"If the press is sick, the control function is shaky. This can be utilized by certain political forces and damage the joints of democracy," he said.
Hendry called for the state to be present to actively restore the media ecosystem. It is not enough just through regulation, but also with real policies that ensure the sustainability of press companies and improving the quality of human resources in it.
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Healthy press will keep democracy healthy. The state must take a role, because hoping for civil society or the public is not enough. Many are cynical about the press due to the unprofessional actions of a handful of media," he said.
Hendry Ch Bangun also highlighted the trend of violence against journalists that has occurred again. Hendry assessed that the arrest of journalists on charges of obstruction of justice, incidents of violence during May Day's coverage, and efforts to silence criticism of the TNI Bill were a sign of serious setbacks in press freedom in Indonesia.
"The state must guarantee that there will be no more criminalization or stunting against journalists. If this is allowed, our democracy will fall slowly," said Hendry.
The commemoration of World Press Freedom Day this year, he said, should be a momentum for mutual correction. We must return to the initial spirit: work for the people of Indonesia, safeguard the interests of the nation above all else. Only the nationalist press will be relevant for the future of this country," he concluded.
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