Communications Minister Expresses Appreciation for Gov’t PR’s Role in Making Indonesian G20 Presidency Successful

Minister of Communications and Informatics Johnny G. Plate at the 2022 PR Media Awards in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta province, Thursday (11/24). (Photo by: PR of Ministry of Communications and Informatics)

Minister of Communications and Informatics Johnny G. Plate expressed appreciation to Government public relations for their role in the Indonesian G20 Presidency.

“The 2022 G20 Summit is proof that Indonesia can work together to make an extraordinary commitment,” Johnny said in his opening remarks at the 2022 Public Relations Media Awards at Yogyakarta Marriott Hotel in Sleman regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Thursday (11/24).

The series of G20 meetings under the Indonesian Presidency were carried out amid an increasingly tense global geopolitical situation. However, the series of events culminated with the G20 Summit in the resort island of Bali on November 15-16 that produced the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration.

“We were able to go through it and produce the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration consisting of 52 paragraphs related to concrete initiatives, including our stance on the war in Ukraine,” Johnny said, adding that the Indonesian G20 Presidency also expressed appreciation from various parties.

“It was successful thanks to the cooperation of various national components, including public relation staff at city governments, regency governments, provincial governments, local-owned enterprises, state-owned enterprises, state higher educational institutions, and ministries and government institutions who have contributed to reporting every working group meeting, engagement group meeting, and the G20 Summit,” he said.

On that occasion, Johnny also stressed the central role of government public relations (GPR) in providing accurate and factual information for the people.

“We have found at least 10,691 hoaxes between August 2018 and November 2022. Therefore, the GPR’s role in providing accurate and factual information for the people became crucial. The GPR plays a central role in disseminating information for the people,” he said.

Johnny further stated that the GPR also plays a role in conveying information on the Government’s work programs to the people, which is in line with the GPR’s duty to listen to the public’s aspiration and shape the image of the Government.

“However, as information spreads faster, the GPR’s urgency to provide accurate information and clarify misinformation spread amid the people also increases,” he said.

According to Johnny, as the Government’s communication channel, the GPR must also be capable of educating and mobilizing the people to choose credible information sources for reference.

Johnny also stated that the GPR’s role becomes more crucial as they are responsible for conveying Government policy and information to the people effectively and efficiently.

“It is important to make human-centered PR the top priority,” he remarked. (RF/UN) (DH/MMB)