President Jokowi Thanks Press for Voicing Optimism during COVID-19 Pandemic

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (02/09) attended the peak event of the 2022 National Press Day (HPN) commemoration virtually from the Bogor Presidential Palace, in West Java province. The peak event of the 2022 HPN commemoration was held in Kendari city, Southeast Sulawesi province.

“On behalf of the people, nation, and country, I would like to congratulate the Indonesian press on the commemoration of the National Press Day,” President Jokowi said.

In the midst of COVID-19 Pandemic, the Indonesian press is still able to play an important role in disseminating information, improving literacy, voicing optimism, and building hopes in order to make all people stay strong to tackle the impact of the pandemic.

Earlier, Chairperson of the Indonesian Journalists’ Association (PWI) Atal S. Depari expressed his gratitude to the Government for its initiative to give opportunity for Indonesian press to receive COVID-19 vaccine at the early period of national vaccination drive considering the Indonesian press stands at the forefront in disseminating information to the people.

“We all remember, at the 2021 HPN commemoration in Ancol, DKI Jakarta province, we requested COVID-19 vaccine for Indonesian press. Our request was accepted by Mr. President, thus, as many as 5,500 journalists have been vaccinated at the early period of national vaccination drive,” he said.

Echoing the same sentiment, President Jokowi said that the Government has administered 325 million doses of vaccine to the people including the first dose, second dose, and third dose (booster). The Government has adequate vaccine supply to carry out national vaccination drive for all Indonesian people.

“Last year, the PWI requested to list journalists as early vaccine recipients and we only had five thousand doses of vaccine. But now, if the PWI requests more, the Government has 143 million doses of vaccine. No matter how much you request, now the Government can allocate it given the adequate vaccine supply,” the President said.

On that occasion, the Adinegoro Journalistic Award was awarded to the press based on six categories. The categories are as follows:

1. Print Media Category won by Harian Kompas Team with a coverage titled “Berbahaya, Masker Medis Palsu Beredar di Masyarakat” (Dangerous, Fake Medical Masks Found in the Market).
2. Cyber Media Category won by IDN Times Team with a coverage titled “Bertaruh Nyawa, Berjuang Melawan Ganasnya COVID-19” (Putting Life on the Line during COVID-19 Pandemic, Fighting against COVID-19 Crisis).
3. Television Category won by CNN Indonesia TV Team with a coverage titled “Menghapus Mereka yang Mati”(Forgetting Those who Died).
4. Radio Category won by RRI Sintang Team with a coverage titled “Oksigen Terakhir untuk Ayah” (Last Oxygen for Dad).
5. News Photo Category won by Sigid Kurniawan from the LKBN Antara with a coverage titled “Ganda Putri Indonesia Raih Emas Olimpiade” (Indonesian Women’s Doubles Won Olympic Gold).
6. Caricature Category won by Ashady from JPNN.com with a coverage titled “Kritiklah Daku” (Criticize Me).

In addition, nine regional leaders received Anugerah Kebudayaan Award. They were Mayor of Padang Panjang, Regent of Magetan, Regent of Lamongan, Regent of Indramayu, Regent of West Sumbawa, Mayor of Bengkulu, Mayor of Surakarta, Regent of Buton, and Regent of Lamandau.

As many as 30 journalists received Press Card Number One Award for their outstanding works that are recognized nationally and internationally.

During the event, there was also MoU signing ceremony between the PWI and several parties, such as Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, PT Astra Internasional Tbk, and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (FID/UN) (AP/MMB)