Ministry of Creative Economy issues recommendations on photography in public spaces
Jakarta – The Ministry of Creative Economy (Kemenekraf) has responded to concerns about photography in public spaces by conducting a focus group discussion that has produced recommendations for various stakeholders.
This represents a concrete effort to address public anxiety regarding photography practices in public spaces, which have recently attracted widespread attention on social media and in national news outlets, including controversies surrounding Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) and Tebet Eco Park.
Minister of Creative Economy and Head of the Creative Economy Agency Teuku Riefky Harsya emphasised that photography in public spaces should support creativity whilst also providing privacy protection for all parties to ensure collective safety and comfort.
“Public spaces are shared spaces that must be enjoyed by everyone safely, comfortably, and with dignity. Photography practices in public spaces should support creativity and economic opportunities, but must comply with ethics, protect privacy, and establish clear governance,” said Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya.
Through the Deputy for Media Creativity and the Directorate of Publishing and Photography, Kemenekraf organised a Focus Group Discussion titled “Listening from Behind the Lens”, which brought together sports venue managers, photography communities, sports enthusiasts, and photo distribution platforms to discuss ethics, privacy protection, and photography governance in public spaces.
“This FGD serves as a strategic forum to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders and formulate recommendations that strengthen the creative economy whilst ensuring that photography practices in public spaces proceed in an orderly and ethical manner,” said Deputy for Media Creativity Agustini Rahayu.
Speaking on behalf of the formulation team, Jerry Aurum commended the ministry’s initiative, saying: “I greatly appreciate Kemenekraf’s initiative and responsiveness in addressing this photography issue on behalf of the Indonesian photography community. Such sensitivity that produces collaborative recommendations should continue to be honed so that the creative industry becomes increasingly prosperous within a healthy ecosystem at the national level.”
The recommendations encourage sports venue managers to establish clear regulations regarding photography activities, including designated photography zones and transparent permit mechanisms.
Photo distribution platforms are encouraged to implement photo usage approval mechanisms such as opt-in and opt-out systems and strengthen personal data protection.
Creative economy practitioners in the photography subsector are expected to increase their understanding of photography ethics and legal aspects in public spaces and use clear identification when conducting photography activities.
Meanwhile, sports communities and enthusiasts are encouraged to establish technical agreements regarding photography activities with photography communities and photo distribution platforms and conduct outreach to their members to create mutual understanding in the field.