Platforms Like Modern Robin Hoods: Press Council Pushes for Stronger Copyright Protections
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Press Council Chairman Komaruddin Hidayat likened the dominance of giant digital platforms today to a modern Robin Hood, arguing that strengthening copyright protections for journalistic works is essential to support the press industry.
Komaruddin, during a discussion on strengthening laws for journalistic works with Minister of Law and Human Rights Supratman Andi Agtas and other press associations, said that digital platforms appear generous but actually take content from mass media without compensation.
“Platforms are like Robin Hood. They give away everything (to users), but it’s from (the proceeds of) theft, stealing, taking from everywhere: from news, from books, from newspapers,” he said at the Press Council building in Jakarta on Thursday.
According to him, on one hand, digital platforms are philanthropic by providing broad and free access to information. He exemplified how platforms make it easier for students, academics, and the general public to search for data and even learn about religion.
“Platforms are like malls that provide everything, and it’s not just discounts, it’s free. To the point where there’s an expression ‘palugada’, whatever you ask for, I have it. So, whatever we search for, it’s there,” he stated.
However, behind that, Komaruddin highlighted the dark side of digital platforms, which ultimately poses a dilemma for the mass media industry, namely that platforms take information from others’ hard work without providing fair rewards.
He assessed that this practice impacts the financial health of mainstream media. The dominance of digital platforms in absorbing advertising has drastically reduced the income of conventional media.
“To the point of having to lay off (employees) because revenue (income) has decreased,” he said.
Addressing this issue, Komaruddin emphasised the urgency of regulations regarding publisher rights or publishers’ copyrights. He stressed that there must be balance and fair compensation between digital platforms and mass media as content providers.
For him, the press must first be strengthened, both financially and in terms of human resources quality, so that it can fulfil its role in nation-building.
“So that the press can help build a healthy society, the press itself must first be healthy,” said Komaruddin.
Meanwhile, Minister Supratman Andi Agtas guaranteed that journalistic works will be protected in the Draft Law (RUU) on Amendments to Law Number 28 of 2014 on Copyright, which is currently being discussed in the DPR.
“I, representing the government, have already guaranteed it and I have been advocating for it, discussing it for a long time with media friends,” said Supratman.
He admitted to having communicated and gathered opinions from various press organisations, including media editors-in-chief. He acknowledged that protection for journalistic works is needed, especially in the current digital disruption era.
Regarding the formulation of norms for protecting journalistic works in the Copyright Bill later, Supratman said further discussions are still needed. Regardless, he emphasised that the government has a duty to protect intellectual property rights.