Ahmad Luthfi Partners with Media, Reaffirms Commitment to Public Information Transparency
Governor of Central Java Ahmad Luthfi has reiterated his commitment to realising public information transparency within his administration. He has directed all regional administrative organisations (OPDs) under the Central Java Provincial Government to be open regarding development progress in their areas. According to Luthfi, information transparency is a public right that everyone should be aware of.
“I have ordered everyone to be open, nothing should be hidden. It must be transparent and straightforward. Not only for journalists, but the public can also ask. There must be accountability and public information transparency that the people must know,” said Luthfi during a gathering and breaking of fast with journalists at the Gradhika Bhakti Praja Building in Semarang on Tuesday, 10 March.
The event was attended by the Central Java Regional Secretary Sumarno, Chairman of the Indonesian Press Association (PWI) Central Java Setiawan Hendra Kelana, representatives from Central Java regional bodies, various heads of OPDs, and journalists.
On this occasion, Ahmad Luthfi once again affirmed his commitment to partnering with the media to collaboratively develop Central Java as a means of disseminating information and education to the public. He stated that input and criticism from journalists and the community are greatly needed in jointly building Central Java.
“The media also plays a role in development. The task of journalists is the same as ours (government), to educate and develop society,” said Luthfi.
Meanwhile, Chairman of PWI Central Java Setiawan Hendra Kelana stated that journalists have the same duty as the government, namely to pursue the welfare and progress of society through various means such as writing, photography, video, and so forth.
“We have that obligation. In carrying out our profession, we have the right to obtain public information and to access information from sources,” he said.
According to Kelana, journalists also have ways of ensuring that information reaches the public completely. Information should be transparent, but transparency does not mean unfiltered exposure. There must be verification and cross-checking with stakeholders or partners.
“Collaboration between the provincial government and journalists is inseparable. When things are good we report them as good, and when there is criticism we convey it along with offering solutions. Media also become part of the solution,” he explained.