President Jokowi Urges Press to be Adaptive, Innovative to Face Technology Disruption
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo urged press to be able to make swift adaptation and innovations in facing the age of technology disruption.
The emerging of new platforms for media must encourage journalists to increase their creativity, productivity, accuracy, independency, and objectivity, as well as to strengthen their values as media that provide credible information.
“Journalism is more than collecting fact; it must also consider the impact. It is not only good journalism but also wise journalism,” President Jokowi said in the 6th Congress of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI), Friday (29/10).
According to the President, media development should be able to accommodate transformation and advancement of the country, as well as to contribute to society, nation, and humanity.
On that occasion, he also affirmed the Government’s commitment to preserve ‘freedom of the press’, offers room to act in public interest, and to welcome criticism.
“Constructive criticism is necessary. The Government will respond to that by exercising our responsibilities for the sake of public interest,” he said.
He also extended his appreciation to the journalists who have been supporting the Government at spreading accurate COVID-19-related information to the public.
He went on to say that the role of journalist in the pandemic is crucial for giving hope to the public.
“During this information overload, the role of journalist is getting more important. They became a light in the dark that contributes to maintaining condition under control,” he added. (FID/PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT/UN) (RAS/LW)