President Invites Society to Stop Hoax

Ambon, InfoPublik – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo attended the main event of the commemoration of the 72nd National Press Day (HPN), Thursday (2/9), in Ambon, Maluku Province. 

In the main event, President, who was accompanied by the First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, invited all parties to make a joint effort in clearing the turbid situation.   

He also asked all parties to stop the spread of fake and defamatory news that could disintegrate the country, especially through the use of social media. In this situation, mainstream media should be able to take part. 

“Mainstream media must be able to straighten things up, clarify the turbid atmosphere in the social media, and must not take and spread any unverified issues in social media as news,” said President. 

He also asserted that in conducting their duties, mainstream media must uphold the ethics of journalism. Factuality, objectivity, and discipline in the conduct of verification may not wear off. 

Therefore, President also appreciated the Press Council’s effort in creating journalism products professionally and becoming the enforcer of the Pillars of Democracy. The Council is attempting to conduct verification on press companies as stipulated in the Law number 40/1999 on Press.

“Besides ensuring professionality and journalists protection, by the conduct of verification, the Council could inform the society of the trusted reporting media references,” he said.

While closing the speech, President stated that he expected the National Press Day to be the first step in strengthening  a shared commitment of creating a harmonized Indonesia.
 
“Finally, I expect that this commemoration of National Press Day in Ambon could strengthen our commitment together in creating a harmonized Indonesia and an equitable economy for all Indonesian citizens. Happy National Press Day,” he concluded. (Translator: Erik Limantara)