Protecting Press Freedom

· 3 minutes read

Freedom of the press is one manifestation of the people’s sovereignty under the principles of democracy, justice and rule of law.

This is confirmed in Article 2 of Press Law No. 40/1999 for the press in this country. The Press Law is the embodiment of Article 28F of the 1945 Constitution, which states that every person has the right to communicate and obtain information to develop their personal and social environments, and every person has the right to seek, obtain, possess, store, process and convey information through all types of channels.

A very strong argument regarding the press was made during the 2019 election, that both mainstream media as well as social media was used to promote temporary political interests. As a result, polarization also emerged among the media. The press corps in this country has not been able to fully support the public in realizing the principles of democracy, justice and rule of law.

The cacophony during the “celebration of democracy” was clearly illustrated in the media, which acted as a "mirror" to a divided society. This condition was exacerbated by the narrative of several political elites, including state officials, who pressured and even threatened the media, without distinguishing between mainstream and social media. This shows that the people and the elite still find it difficult to differentiate mainstream media and social media.

In 2011, the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Dubai agreed that social media is not a form of mass media (Kompas, 2/11/2011). Social media is not part of the press corps, as is stipulated in the Press Law. The press, in accordance with Law No. 40/1999, is a social institution and a mass communication channel that practices professional journalism and conveys information to the public through writing, voice broadcasts, images, sounds and images, as well as data and graphics and other visual information through print media, electronic media and all available channels.

Freedom of the press is guaranteed as a human right, and the national press corps is not subject to broadcast censorship, bans or restrictions. Under the Press Law, the mass media must respect religious norms, moral decency and the presumption of innocence in reporting on events and conveying opinions. The mass media must verify, validate or confirm the information they obtain.

The statements political elites, including state administrators, make to the press always attract the attention of people in Indonesia and across the world. Freedom of the press is one measure of a country’s democratization. Reporters Without Borders ranked Indonesia 124th out of 180 countries in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index. This is nothing to be excited about.

The press also functions as a check and balance for society, as well as a source of education and entertainment, and must prioritize the national interest. Curbing press freedom benefits no one. On the other hand, the press must also be introspective and determine whether it really does manifest the people’s sovereignty.

Editor:

kompascetak