Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the 6th Congress of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association, 29 October 2021
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
May peace be upon us all,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue.
Honorable Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, Governor of West Nusa Tenggara, Head of the Press Council, Chairperson of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI), Editors in Chief, Members of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
On this auspicious occasion, allow me to extend my gratitude to the television journalists who have been supporting the Government in COVID-19 handling during the past two years. They disseminated accurate information, showed appreciation and spirit, as well as gave constructive criticism.
During the pandemic, we noticed the importance of information. The public are overwhelmed by information about pandemic; the infodemic spreads in swift and massive manners that brings impacts as powerful as the pandemic itself.
Amid 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, promoting optimism and giving hope to the public. Journalism is more than collecting facts; it must also consider the impact. It is not only good journalism but also wise journalism.
Distinguished Guests,
Today’s press is the press who is able to make swift adaptation, catch up, learn new competencies, and make innovations in facing the age of technology disruption.
The emerging of new platforms for media must encourage journalists to increase their creativity and productivity. They must strengthen their values as the ones that provide credible information, as well as to increase their accuracy, independency, and objectivity.
The new platforms of media must also support transformation and advancement of the nation. Their existence should not be motivated only by the number of viewers, the number of subscribers, the number of likes, or it even only becomes clickbaits. In fact, they must contribute to the society, nation, and humanity.
Distinguished Television Journalists,
The Government will continue to affirm its commitment to preserve ‘freedom of the press’, to offers room to act in public interest, and to welcome criticisms and solutions to a number of the Government’s policies.
I also understand that the Government have received a lot of criticisms, particularly about issues that we can’t solve right now. The constructive criticisms are necessary and the Government will respond to them by exercising our responsibilities for the sake of public interest.
That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I declare the 6th Congress of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association open.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Om santi santi santi om,
Namo Buddhaya. (RAS/LW)