Medan: Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed concern over the current poor state of the media industry.
The main issue facing the media industry today is not press freedom, but accountable news reporting on social media and giant digital algorithms that tend to prioritize the importance of commercial aspects. he said.
“…I want to say that the media world is not in good shape. I said here today when I served as
Held annually on February 9th in various cities across the country, HPN is celebrated to commemorate the efforts of Indonesian journalists to build the nation.
“Until now, the main issue in the media world was press freedom. Is the main issue still the same? Now that freedom is gone, do you think that has changed?” said the Indonesian president.
Mr Jokowi said that today’s media consists of all information media available in digital form, so that everyone is “free” to report the news.
The world is now flooded with news from social media and other digital media, including foreign platforms that generally lack editorial staff or are controlled by artificial intelligence.
“Giant digital algorithms tend to focus on the importance of the commercial side, pushing only sensational content,” he said.
Recently, Usman Kanson, director general of public information and communication at Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Information, said the ministry had submitted to Jokowi draft regulations related to copyright in journalism.
This draft will enable a healthy media business ecosystem to be built through global digital platforms.
Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadilla Yusof, who is on a three-day working visit to Indonesia, congratulated all Indonesian journalists on the National Press Day 2023.
He said the media serve as an important platform for providing accurate and up-to-date information to the community.
Fadila, who is also Minister of Plantation Commodities, said at a press conference after a bilateral meeting with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, “Wishing all media friends in Indonesia a happy National Press Day. I’m here.
“The media play a very important role in communicating the truth and facts in any situation,” said Fadilla, who arrived here yesterday with the delegation. – Bernama
