President Jokowi Welcomes Journalists Association Management at Merdeka Palace

President Jokowi hosts the Central PWI Management at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (11/07). (Photo: Presidential Secretariat’s Information, Media, and Press Bureau/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (11/07) hosted members of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

During the meeting, members of the PWI reported to President Jokowi on the election of the General Chairperson of the PWI as well as the association’s efforts to improve journalists’ competence.

“We reported that a new general chairperson was elected during the PWI Congress in Bandung on September 25-26. We also reported to the President that we want to re-focus on education issues, enhancement of journalists’ competence, and journalists’ national insight,” said General Chairperson of the PWI, Hendry Ch Bangun, at Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, after the meeting.

Hendry added that PWI also mentioned support from Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology and Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises in running Indonesian journalism schools and administering competency tests for journalists, adding that upon learning this, the President immediately followed it up.

“The President immediately called Minister of Education and Culture to help PWI again so that what has been done previously can be resumed,” he said.

Hendry also said that PWI also discussed the promotion of the role of the press in promoting nationalism values, as well as the launch of Graha Pers Pancasila (Pancasila Press House) that will be held in Yogyakarta this November.

In addition, PWI also mentioned the National Press Day event, which is planned to be held in Ancol, Jakarta, he added.

“The President said that if the Yogyakarta provincial government runs short of some things, the Central government will provide assistance,” Hendry added.

Hendry further said that the meeting also discussed how the press would respond to the upcoming general elections, adding that the President urged all communities to keep the elections peaceful.

“The President said that there are no problems at this moment. The President urged all of us to take part in ensuring that the elections will run peacefully, maintaining the integrity of the nation and the state, and ensuring that the elections will not divide us,” said Hendry.

“I think we accept that with the same thoughts and in fact, the press is not the one who likes to stir things up, escalate tension, and create an atmosphere as if this is a hostile event,” he continued.

Also joining President Jokowi during the meeting was Minister of State Secretariat Pratikno. (Presidential Secretariat’s Information, Media, and Press Bureau/AIT)