Publisher Rights Committee pushes for press freedom in Papua through WPFD
Jayapura (ANTARA) - The Committee for Corporate Responsibility of Digital Platforms to Support Quality Journalism (Publisher Rights Committee) is promoting the strengthening of press freedom through the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2026 (WPFD), to be held in Jayapura on 4-5 May 2026.
The Chairman of the Publisher Rights Committee, Suprapto, in Jayapura on Sunday, stated that this commemoration serves as a crucial moment to reaffirm the press’s role in safeguarding democracy, especially in regions with complex challenges like Papua.
“WPFD is not merely an annual ceremony, but a global momentum to underscore the importance of press freedom, journalist protection, and the sustainability of independent media,” he said.
According to Suprapto, in the Indonesian context, press freedom challenges are inseparable from issues of media industry sustainability.
“This includes the economic resilience of press companies as well as guarantees of safety for journalists in carrying out their duties,” he stated.
He explained that with the WPFD 2026 theme of “Quality Press for a Peaceful and Just Future for Indonesia”, it affirms that the nation’s future, including Papua, is greatly determined by the quality of journalistic work produced freely and professionally.
“Therefore, through the WPFD 2026 activities in Jayapura, we aim to strengthen collective commitments in creating a safe media work environment, free from intimidation, and to promote better press protection standards at the national level,” he said.
According to Sasmito, the series of WPFD 2026 activities in Jayapura will include a national seminar on press freedom and sustainability, a forum for sharing experiences among media companies in collaborating with digital platforms, and capacity enhancement for journalists.
“Moreover, this event will also involve the press community in Papua, local government, and national stakeholders as a form of collaboration in strengthening a healthy media ecosystem,” he stated.
He explained that the WPFD 2026 commemoration in Jayapura will conclude with the Jayapura Declaration, containing collective commitments to uphold press freedom and support media sustainability in Indonesia, particularly in Papua.