Media Council Must Be Independent Despite Government Funding - Idn Times Editor-in-cheif

From Mohamad Syazwan Mustafa

JAKARTA, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- A media council should maintain its independence, even if its operational costs are funded by the government, Uni Lubis, the Editor-in-Chief of Indonesian digital media platform IDN Times said today. 

She said a free and professional journalism institution is crucial for the democratic landscape of any country, aligning with its role as 'The Fourth Estate'. 

“Although its operations use a state budget, the institution must be free from any external interventions, including the government. Hence, the Media Council should be the highest independent body that manages journalists.

“Just like in Indonesia, where its (Media Council) operations are funded from the state budget, but it remains free. Because the funds are not from the president's or prime minister's money but from the people and taxpayers. So, it’s okay. Because an independent, professional press is essential for any democracy,” she said.

She said this when met during a visit by the Malaysia-Indonesia Brotherhood of Journalists (ISWAMI) delegation to the IDN Times headquarters in conjunction with the ‘Jejak Serumpun’ programme here today. 

Sharing insights into the role of journalists in 2024 General Election for the Presidential Election (PILPRES) and legislative members, Uni said the media industry in Indonesia has played a crucial role by producing sufficiently critical news.

She said with the dominance of social media in the 2024 elections, the role of the media has become increasingly important in the coverage of the presidential and legislative candidates, including verifying information circulating on social media.

Earlier, the ISWAMI delegation witnessed the voting process for the 2024 elections at Polling Station 060 Lebak Sulus in South Jakarta.

Malaysian journalists also covered the news there, which served as the voting centre for Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, before conducting a special interview session at his residence nearby. 

The visit is led by ISWAMI Malaysia secretary-general Mohd Shukri Ishak, who is also Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) Head of Broadcasting (TV and Radio).

ISWAMI is a Malaysia-Indonesia journalist forum established in 2003 as a bridge for media relations between Malaysia and Indonesia, playing a role in building prosperity between the two neighbouring nations.

-- BERNAMA