The Indonesian press community is again celebrating National Press Day today, with a number of major changes that question the significance of the media.
The biggest challenge being faced by conventional media – newspapers, television and radio – remains its relevance in the midst of a flood of digitally spread information. The existence of digital media has allowed for the presence of information without limits and it can be accessed freely. Another thing is the presence of various social media applications that come out together with smartphones. This technology enables everyone to more easily spread opinions and information as they like. As a result, the term citizen journalism emerged, as everyone can present information based on facts in their surroundings.
However, digital technology has helped speed up the spread of the post-truth phenomenon: emotions and personal beliefs can be more influential in shaping public opinion than objective facts. Sometimes personal opinions are even louder than facts and questioning those opinions is considered to be a personal attack.
Press everywhere in the world are trying to respond to these changes. Conventional media has expanded the medium of its news delivery to digital platforms. As said by Marshall McLuhan, a communications scientist, each medium carries its own message and the content of a medium is another medium. Print media content, for example, consists of written words and the content of written words is the result of a nonverbal thinking process.
By following this logic, conventional media and digital media have their own place as a medium for delivering messages or content. Some people say that conventional media forms, newspapers especially, have not yet been replaced because of their ability to present in-depth, complete information. Meanwhile, digital media prioritizes quick information.
The public still expects the press to have journalistic integrity by providing reliable information. Complete information compiled from the field finds objective facts and provides meaning in the editorial framework. The public wants the media to carry out an educational function, explain the roots of any problem, provide context and perspectives on important issues, and help readers to make informed decisions. The media is also expected to remain independent and maintain journalistic ethics and human values.
This year\'s National Press Day is commemorated with the theme "Press Strengthens Digital-Based Community Economy". In the future, we face an era with various possibilities brought by digital technology. For the case of Indonesia, conventional media and digital media must synergize with each other so that they remain relevant in carrying out their roles to help strengthen the people\'s economy in order to achieve a just and prosperous society.
