Press Council Chair Explains Publisher Rights
Translator
Editor
23 March 2024 12:00 WIB
What serious issues regarding the quality of journalistic work were conveyed to Jokowi?
There is a lot of disinformation circulating, but not everyone makes an effort to seek the truth from mainstream media. Indeed, press freedom allows easy establishment of media companies, but not all are managed professionally, resulting in bad quality news, and society is misled. Many also enjoy news that contains clickbait.
What is revenue sharing with digital platforms like?
One of the complaints raised then was the lack of transparency over advertising revenues. This income is attached to the algorithm systems managed by digital companies.
Can the Presidential Regulation on Publisher Rights overcome all these issues?
I think it is the right (instrument) for now. We are grateful that the press and government have been able to complete the stages. We are still waiting six months to ensure a more concrete implementation scheme. The Press Council and its constituents can ascertain that this regulation answers the problems. Everyone is actively participating. However, expectations still need to be accommodated. What’s important is that everyone reduces tension.
We heard that the discussion with platform companies was contentious, especially over their obligation to sort news…
Both sides, the press and platforms, rejected that. The press objected if the news selection authority was handed over to platform companies. Our press colleagues argued that verifying whether a given piece of news was quality journalistic work was in the Press Council’s hands. How could this task be given to platform companies? Similarly, the other side also felt, “Why are we given this responsibility?”
What was the middle ground?
Platform companies declined to guarantee and determine quality journalistic works. Negotiations then resulted in the change of the diction in the regulation to the effect that platform companies are obligated to make their best efforts to support quality journalism.
How about the implementation?
Platforms will not facilitate news containing misinformation and disinformation. They will facilitate good quality news and support it through training. The most important thing is to design algorithms to support news reporting that offers diverse perspectives and does not create polarization. Current technologies can do that as long as there is a will. In several countries, news that does not meet the standards is immediately cut. We are hoping for the same.
Wouldn’t that lead to censorship that undermines press freedom?
We don’t want to enforce censorship. That’s why Article 5 of the regulation asks platform companies to facilitate quality news produced by media companies. They are not determiners so everything has to be referred back to the Press Council.
