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