PWI and press ethics

PWI and press ethics

From Media Indonesia

The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) celebrated their 55th anniversary on Feb. 9, 2001. In my opinion, PWI has increasingly been strong and professional in terms of the history of journalists' organizations and the world of journalism that is growing in Indonesia.

However, to the best of my understanding, there has recently been an uncontrolled euphoria relating to the freedom of the press to the point that, I am afraid, the quality of journalism within segments of our national press do not demonstrate the levels achieved in the past.

For example, several cases of violence against journalists on duty, as well as occupation of, and damage caused to, the offices of press or publishing companies are a reflection of public disappointment and frustration toward a national press that is no longer professional. This has resulted in tainted press ethics and journalistic practices. So, the "press freedom" obtained during the reform era has been distorted by segments of the national press to the point where it has now absolutely lost control.

This kind of thing, we all know, should not have happened. Because the essence of professional freedom of the press is a responsible freedom which is based on press ethics and journalistic professionalism.

Now the press society needs to recover the press freedom by putting it back on the right track. This way, hopefully, there will be no more cases of violence toward journalists and press institutions.

Let us all hope that PWI considers taking the necessary measures to ensure that Indonesia has a healthy and responsible national press that is professional and based on press ethics.

RIDWAN

Tangerang, Banten