Pramono highlights the press's significant role in overseeing Jakarta's development
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has said the high level of journalist participation in the Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin Journalism Award demonstrates the press community’s strong attention to recording Jakarta’s dynamics while overseeing the course of the city’s development.
A total of 754 journalistic works took part in the 52nd Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin Journalism Award in 2026.
“This year there are 754 journalistic works participating, showing the great attention of the press community in recording Jakarta’s dynamics from various perspectives,” said Pramono in his remarks at the award ceremony for the winners at the Balai Agung, Jakarta City Hall, on Monday.
According to him, the press plays an important role as a critical partner of the government. Accurate, fact-based reporting that is neither exaggerated nor understated is needed so that the public receives a clear picture of Jakarta’s condition.
“In my view, report it as it is. There’s no need to exaggerate or downplay things; in fact, I tend to prefer things being understated, because I don’t want to overexpose something that isn’t actually the case,” he said.
He added that journalistic works based on facts, data, ethical codes, and public responsibility also help the government view various issues more objectively, while serving as evaluation material for improving policies and public services.
Ahead of Jakarta’s 500th anniversary commemoration, the Jakarta Provincial Government is targeting for the city to rank among the world’s top 20 global cities by 2045.
“There are many of Jakarta’s strategic agendas that need to be overseen together, ranging from access to education and health, public transport development and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), urban spatial planning, to waste management transformation. The media’s role is important so that the public knows the direction of policies, their progress, and their tangible benefits,” said Pramono.
Meanwhile, Chairman of PWI Jaya, Kesit Budi Handoyo, said his organisation has begun preparing the 2027 Journalism Award with a special theme of Jakarta’s 500 Years.
According to Kesit, the high number of participants this year serves as motivation to deliver an even better event in 2027.
PWI Jaya also plans to add an award category for journalistic works published via social media.
“For us, what matters most is how we can contribute to our friends in the media, our journalist colleagues, in producing journalistic works, particularly those related to Jakarta’s dynamics,” said Kesit.