TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said the press had a crucial role in spreading information in efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The government carries out 3T (testing, tracing, treatment), the people comply with 3M (health protocols), and the media are the connector,” said Anies while giving a speech at the 2021 National Press Day in Ancol, North Jakarta, Monday, January 8, which was broadcast via the Press Council’s YouTube account.

Anies said the mass media could play a role in overseeing the government’s efforts in overcoming the pandemic and calling on the public to comply with the health protocols of wearing face masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands properly.

The Covid-19 pandemic was an opportunity for the media to create history. “Journalists are an important part of the national process from its early role as the spearhead of the idea of independence,” Anies added.

The current health crisis required the right policies at the macro level, which was the government, and the micro-level of society. “There must be equal awareness, equal knowledge, and proper understanding [to contain the pandemic]. Who can play that role? It is the press that can be the builder of public awareness.”

“This pandemic occurs once in 100 years. Our actions today will be of concern to historians in the future. They will look at, highlight our current roles,” said Anies Baswedan. “This time, the challenge is not colonialism but virus transmission. This is a call for history, which is answered by the role of the media.”

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IMAM HAMDI