JAKARTA - Minister of Communication and Information Technology (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid emphasized that journalists play a key role in maintaining the truth in the midst of increasingly fast and not always verified information flows.
"This is an era where information is very fast and very much, and many have not gone through good verification because people are running after time," Meutya said at the 2026 World Press Freedom Day Commemoration in Central Jakarta, Sunday.
According to him, the press is required to continue to maintain the value and benefits of news for the public in the midst of the pressure of the speed of information production. In the digital era, speed should not be above accuracy.
Meutya emphasized that the main orientation of journalists should be on the interests of the wider community. "Basically we make news for the benefit of many people, not for the harm of many people," he said.
Furthermore, Meutya explained that the delivery of correct information is a constitutional mandate as stipulated in Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution.
In this case, the government together with the press has the same responsibility to ensure the quality of information circulating in the public space.
"Information is part of human rights. However, the law does not mention incorrect information or misinformation. What is meant as part of human rights is correct information," he explained.
He also reminded the importance of caution in live broadcast practices, both in conventional media and digital media, which have great potential in disseminating information quickly.
"Currently there are many live broadcasts, not only on television, but also on new media. We entrust those who make statements quickly to continue to maintain the spirit of conveying the right things," he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Press Council Komarudin Hidayat assessed that in the midst of the inevitable information explosion, the public's need for quality press has actually increased.
This shows a shift in public awareness in choosing information sources.
"When there is an explosion of information, it is indeed something that cannot be denied. However, the public's need for quality journalism is increasingly felt today," said Komarudin.
He added that people are now beginning to balance between consuming social media and the need for reliable information, so that the existence of professional press remains relevant.
"There is an awareness between the need to enjoy social media and the awareness of finding quality news that is now emerging," he continued.
Komarudin also invited all stakeholders to continue to improve the quality of the national press within the framework of responsible press freedom.
"Responsible press freedom is needed by the public today and the role of the Press Council together with all stakeholders to improve the quality of the press in Indonesia," he concluded.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
