World Press Freedom Day at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, 3rd May 2017. TEMPO/Imam Sukamto
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - For all the official claim of Indonesia having a free press, 72 cases of violence against journalists in the past year alone, belie that statement. Yes, the media are much freer to report news and views, compared to the days under the New Order regime. But so long as journalists are assaulted, threatened and penalized for doing their job, and so long as Papua remains a closed and censored area to the media, we cannot call our press free, yet. So, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), let us strive towards “a free, independent and pluralistic media… essential not only for individual rights, but also for inclusive, sustainable development and peace,” as exhorted by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova at the WPFD conference yesterday. Well, we certainly need all the help to fight against the biggest scourge of all: hoaxes and fake news.
YULI ISMARTONO
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