Jokowi: Nowadays, the Press Puts Pressure on the Government
9 February 2016 20:02 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo urged the press to comply with journalism ethics because without proper ethics, the President is concerned that reports produces by the media would be inacurate, biased, and mixed with opinions.
"I read online media, there's a violation of journalism ethics," said Jokowi during the commemoration of the National Press Day 2016 at Kuta Beach, Central Lombok on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.
According to Jokowi, in the present day, the government no longer has power to put pressure on the press. On the contrary, the President asserted that nowadays, it is the press who is puts pressure against the government. In addition, the President is also concerned about business competition among media businesses.
Jokowi said that in current era of press freedom, media outlet that provide good news could be considered as 'vitamin' for the country. “But sometimes, there are news that disturb our mental health," said Jokowi.
Jokowi also expected the media to publish news that could generate optimism and work ethics to increase productivity, instead of creating pessimism and being trapped in reporting sensational news. "Moreover [reporting] exaggerated news," the President said.
SUPRIYANTHO KHAFID
