President: In A Month, The Presidential Decree On Media Sustainability Must Be Completed

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Rusman

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo asked for a discussion regarding the draft presidential regulation (perpres) regarding the sustainability of the media industry (media sustainability) to be completed within a month.

In his remarks at the peak event commemorating the 2023 National Press Day in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Thursday, Jokowi said the Minister of Communication and Information Johnny G. Plate had applied for an initiative permit regarding the draft presidential regulation regarding the cooperation of digital platform companies with press companies to support quality journalism.

"There is another suggestion, a draft presidential regulation on the responsibility of digital platform companies to support quality journalism. My advice, then in one month it must be completed regarding this presidential regulation. Not more than a month. I will participate later in several discussions about this," Jokowi said as witnessed virtually via the Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel in Jakarta, Thursday 9 February.

Jokowi explained that the basis for the draft presidential regulation was because the conventional media industry faced quite a challenge. He said about 60 percent of advertising spending had been taken by digital media, especially from foreign platforms.

"I've heard a lot about this, that about 60 percent of advertising spending has been taken by digital media, especially foreign platforms. This is sad for us," he said.

According to him, by controlling online shopping by foreign platforms, conventional media financial resources will decrease. Moreover, some conventional media have also developed themselves to digital media, but are still dominated by foreign platforms.

"Domination of foreign platforms in taking advertising spending has made it difficult for our domestic media," Jokowi explained.

Previously, in a meeting between the Press Council and President Jokowi at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (6/2), Chairman of the Press Council, Ninik Rahayu, said Jokowi agreed to the Presidential Decree on the sustainability of the media referring to Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press according to the input of the Press Council.

Ninik explained that the Perpres is a legal product that will regulate the pattern of cooperation and relations between the media and the global platform for the sake of a fair press ecosystem.