Challenges for New Press Council

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

President Joko Widodo delivers his speech at the opening of the XXIV Congress of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) at Sunan Hotel in Surakarta, Central Java, Friday (28/9/2018). Part of the congress’ agenda was the election of a PWI general chairperson for the 2018-2023 period.

The Press Council, which safeguards press freedom in Indonesia, was established in 1968. Next year, the council will elect its newest members around the time of the general election.

The Press Council was established under Law No. 11/1966 on the Press, which was later amended by Law No. 21/1982. The Press Council’s main duty was initially to advise the government on working with print and broadcast media (radio and television), and was originally chaired by the Information Minister.

The 1998 reform movement transformed the face of the national media industry. Law No. 40/1999 on the Press became the basis for an independent Press Council and stipulates: “In the effort to develop freedom of the press and enhance the life of the national press, an independent Press Council is to be formed.”

The government is no longer represented on the Press Council, which comprises nine members from the general public, journalists and the chairs of media companies, including three former or current Press Council members.

The Press Council members for 2019-2022 will take their seats next year in April as the nation holds its latest celebration of democracy. A huge task awaits the nine new guardians of press freedom, namely to safeguard the independence of the mass media during the elections.

Referring to Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel’s Elements of Journalism (2001), the first four principles of a free press are truth, public responsibility, disciplined verification and maintaining distance from sources (independence). However, it is a fact that many mass media companies in this country are either owned by or affiliated with political parties or political figures. How can the public expect an independent media that is free of political intervention and interests, when they are under the control of political interests?

In line with its duties, the Press Council must warn the owners of media companies affiliated with certain political groups to remain independent. This can become more complicated when certain Press Council members come from these politically affiliated media. The Press Council’s independence often comes under question. In these politically charged years, the new Press Council must convince the public first and foremost that it is truly free of the interests of practical politics.

Apart from independence, other problems persist among the country’s media. The Press Law reaffirms that all Indonesian media companies must be domestic legal entities that guarantee employee welfare through distribution of shares, net revenue or another form. In this digital era, anyone can set up a media company, especially a digital one.

The Press Council’s records shows that the country had more than 43,000 digital media companies in February this year, most of which were unverified with unclear legal statuses. With unsustainable sources of revenue, these companies often cannot guarantee the welfare of their employees. This harms not only legitimate media professionals but also the public at large. Such media can produce and sell fake news just to make a living. The press holds up a mirror to society. These are just a few of the challenges facing the new Press Council.