Communications Minister states senior journalists are key to maintaining journalistic standards

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Communications and Digital (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid has emphasised the key role of senior journalists in maintaining journalistic practice standards amid the rapid changes in news production patterns in the digital era. According to Meutya, the pressure for speed and demands for virality in information production have shifted journalistic work from a process that previously allowed room for verification to one that is faster and with minimal pauses. “In the past, we produced news with pauses, allowing time for research and verification. Now, much of it runs almost without pauses because it chases speed and virality,” said Meutya in a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Saturday. The statement was delivered at the Declaration of the Indonesian Senior Journalists Union in Central Jakarta. Meutya believes that changes in media industry work practices need to be balanced with the transfer of experience and journalistic values from the senior generation to young journalists to ensure information quality remains maintained. Meutya emphasised that without the inheritance of experience, a gap will emerge between the standards built by senior journalists and the practices carried out by the current generation. “If not passed on, there will be a wide gap between senior experience and the journalistic practices of the current generation,” said Meutya. She affirmed that technological developments must not shift the main principles in the journalistic profession. “Integrity, verification processes, and the courage to stand on the side of truth are foundations that must not shift,” stated Meutya. She emphasised that amid changes in the media ecosystem, intergenerational continuity is an important factor in maintaining the quality of public information.