National Press Day; Jokowi Blames Algorithm for Numerous Sensational News

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, on Thursday’s National Press Day commemoration, criticized the flood of news content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) across the internet; be it on social media, digital media, and foreign platforms. He also said these media are controlled by the algorithms of major digital companies that tend to accentuate sensationalism.

The President asserted that he worries authentic journalism will fade away due to this trend. “There are plenty of them right now and [these contents] sacrifice the substance and authentic journalism,” said Jokowi at the event in Deli Serdang on February 9. "Conventional media with editorial staff are increasingly pressed,"

During his speech, he mentioned twice that the press industry is currently not in a good place. He said that a major algorithm pushing the public with sensationalist news is not a future he looks forward to. 

Regarding the freedom of the press, the President believes it is no longer the standing point in the media industry. “We always urge that. But does the main issue stay the same? I might argue that it has shifted. How much more free do we want to be?”

This is not the first time this kind of statement came from Jokowi. On Monday, February 6, Jokowi met with members of the Press Council at Jakarta’s State Palace. During the meeting, he reminded the media and public not only to talk about press freedom but also about responsible press.

"What is a responsible press? Of course, you all know better. Ethics and guidelines must be upheld," said the Head of the Press Council, Ninik Rahayu at the Palace on February 6. "Reporters also have to be competent. in order to have the capacity in reporting," he said.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News