TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Press Council invites the three presidential-vice presidential candidates to declare their commitment to freedom of the press in Indonesia.

"The declaration of the commitment will be conducted on February 7, 2024, at Press Council Hall in Jakarta," said the council head Ninik Rahayu on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

Ninik explained that the last presidential debate is slated for February 4. Meanwhile, the freedom of the press declaration is not affiliated with the series of presidential debates, she said.

"If they do not attend [the declaration], people surely could translate and assess that to their commitment to press freedom," Ninik stressed, addressing the winning team of each running pair.

Meanwhile, the head of declaration organizer Totok Suryanto said the date of the event has been considered at great length to avoid interfering with what little time is left of the campaign period.

"We just ask for one hour of their time. I'm sure the three running candidates will not mind and have a great commitment to freedom and quality of the national press," he said.

The press, Totok said, holds a strategic position within the national political constellation. Freedom of press index affects the democratic level of a country, he said.

Totok also explained that the demand from several parties for the Press Council to hold a presidential debate cannot be fulfilled. The council, he went on, must be neutral and cannot be directly involved in political activities.

The Press Council will also invite the leaders of mass media and press figureheads in the hope that they could be witnesses to the candidates' commitment declaration.

"The police chief and the commander of national armed forces are also invited as they have declared their commitment to neutrality during the general elections," he concluded.

ANTARA

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