President Jokowi Reveals Three Main Issues in News Industry

President Jokowi delivers his remarks at the 2023 National Press Day in Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra province, Thursday (02/10) (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (02/10) said that news industry is not doing so well, while underscoring that the major issue is not about freedom of press, but responsible journalism instead.

The statement was made by the President during the 2023 National Press Day at North Sumatra Provincial Government’s Hall in Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra province.

“Press nowadays includes all information media that can be available in a digital form. Everyone has freedom to create news. In my view, the current major issue is producing responsible journalism,” the President said, adding that people are flooded with news from a number of social media and digital media including foreign platforms or media without board that are controlled by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“Big tech’s algorithms tend to be concerned only with the commercial side and will push sensational, petty content that sacrifices quality of authentic journalism. This should not dominate the life of our society,” President Jokowi added.

The second issue, the President continued, is about conventional news industry that is facing hard challenges, adding that around 60 percent of ad spending is dominated by digital media, especially foreign platforms.

“What does it mean? Conventional media’s financial resources will continue to drop. Several [conventional media] have leveled up to digital media. However, the domination of foreign platform in ad spend has made local media difficult,” President Jokowi said.

The third issue is about independence and data security in the country.

According to the President, data serves as “new oil” that is precious, while underscoring that everyone must stay vigilant about algorithm utilization for the communitiess.

“By mastering data, we can not only understand people’s habits and behaviors. By utilizing algorithms, it can control people’s preferences. This is what we all have to be cautious about. This matter should be our common concern. Be careful and stay vigilant about this,” he added.

To that end, President Jokowi encouraged the completion of two Presidential Regulation Drafts, namely Presidential Regulation Draft on Cooperation of Digital Platform Company with Media Companies to Support Quality Journalism and Presidential Regulation Draft on Responsibility of Digital Platform Companies to Support Quality Journalism. (RFS/UN) (AP/EP)