TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara discussed topics related to the press freedom with Saudi Arabian Culture and Information Minister Adel Zaid al-Toraifi.
"We talked about how journalism in Saudi Arabia has become more opened. I said that the Indonesian government no longer controls [the press] due to reformation and the journalism law. They were surprised," Rudiantara said in Jakarta on Friday, March 3, 2017.
Rudiantara explained that the parallel meeting also discussed the World Press Freedom Day that will be held in Indonesia in May 2017. Rudiantara suggested that both countries need to use the event as a momentum to strengthen ties in the media and information sector.
"They are interested in how Indonesia manages its press industry," Rudiantara revealed.
The Saudi Arabian government expressed an interest in the media industry management under the Press Council's supervision.
"They want to learn about the media management, and they will send a special envoy for the World Press Freedom Day," Rudiantara added.
A number of Saudi ministers are tagging along with Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud to visit Indonesia. President Joko Widodo or Jokowi and King Salman witnessed the signings of a number of Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in various sectors.
ANTARA
