Jokowi's Spicy Criticism for the Media: The Press is Not Good, I Repeat the Press is Not Good

Jokowi with a number of national media editors in Medan (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo said that the world of the press is currently in a bad condition because the increasing number of digital information media is sacrificing the quality of the content and authentic journalism.

This was conveyed by Joko Widodo in his remarks at the 2023 National Press Day Commemoration Peak event, in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Thursday, as witnessed via the Presidential Secretariat's Youtube broadcast live from Jakarta.

“On the commemoration of National Press Day today, I want to say that the world of the press is not doing well. I repeat, the world of the press is not feeling well," said the President in Deli Serdang, Thursday 9 February.

In the past, the main issue of the world of the press was freedom. However, according to the President, the main issues in the press world have shifted.

“In the past, the main issue in the world of the press was freedom of the press. Now does the main issue remain the same? I think it has shifted. Because we are less free, especially now," the President explained.

He said that the press now includes all information media that can appear in digital form. Everyone is free to make news freely.

Joko Widodo considers that the main problem in the world of the press today is making responsible reporting.

He gave an example that now people are flooded with news from social media and other digital media, including foreign platforms which generally do not have editors or are controlled by artificial intelligence, where digital giant algorithms tend to only prioritize commercial interests.

“Digital giant algorithms tend to prioritize the interests of the commercial side only and will only push sensational coin content. There are too many of these now, and at the expense of quality content and authentic journalism. This is what we will lose even more,” he said.

The Head of Government said that such things should not dominate people's lives. He said the conventional media currently circulating are getting pushed into the news map.

Therefore, the President conveyed that the Draft Presidential Regulation which regulates digital platforms and press companies must be completed immediately.

On that occasion, the President conveyed Happy National Press Day 2023 to all members of the press in the country. Joko Widodo expressed his gratitude to the members of the national press for their contribution to the nation and state since the era of the struggle for independence until now.