Minister: Journalistic Works Used Commercially Will Incur Royalties

Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas has stated that journalistic works disseminated for commercial purposes will be required to pay royalties. He explained that the Ministry of Law will propose journalistic works as part of copyright objects in the revision of the Copyright Law. “Anyone who uses such journalistic works for commercial purposes must obtain permission from the rights holder,” Supratman said at an event in Jakarta on Friday. He added that under the new Copyright Law, journalistic works will receive greater protection. He also requested support and prayers from all parties so that the effort to include journalistic works as copyright objects can succeed. With the new Copyright Law, the minister believes various issues related to journalistic works can be minimised. One such issue was experienced by television editor-in-chief Abdul Gafur, whose content was taken without permission for commercial purposes. Gafur said the matter has been processed through legal channels with the police. Regarding this, the minister hopes the Copyright Bill can accommodate such cases once it is enacted. For now, his ministry can only assist Gafur by providing experts from the Ministry of Law if needed to give testimony during investigations or trials. The Copyright Bill was approved by the House of Representatives as a House initiative proposal on 12 March 2026. The bill is now entering the discussion and harmonisation stage with the government, with a regulatory completion target set for this year. The Press Council is currently finalising proposals regarding the regulation of journalistic works in the bill amending Law Number 28 of 2014 on Copyright to strengthen the press industry. The Press Council gathered input through a public hearing forum with various press constituents at the Press Council Office in Jakarta on Thursday (11/6). Press Council Chairman Komaruddin Hidayat said the forum was an effort to ensure changes to copyright regulations can address new challenges faced by the press industry in the era of digital platforms and artificial intelligence.