PWI ensures 2027 National Press Day will be inclusive and collaborative

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) has ensured that the 2027 National Press Day (HPN) in Lampung will be held with a new spirit, aimed at preserving history, strengthening unity, and expanding the participation of all elements of the national press through a collaborative and inclusive approach.

“HPN belongs to all members of the national press. We welcome the active involvement of all constituents of the Press Council. However, the history and institutional position of the PWI cannot be transferred without a valid legal basis,” said the General Chairman of the Central PWS, Akhmad Munir, in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He stated this during a meeting between the Press Council and the Central Board of the PWI in Jakarta on Wednesday. The meeting specifically discussed the organisation of HPN and the discourse regarding changes in governance.

He expressed hope that through this meeting, the historical roots of the birth of HPN would remain respected, with the event becoming increasingly open, inclusive, collaborative, and a representation of the shared spirit of the entire Indonesian press community.

He emphasised that the PWI will continue to fulfil its role as the person in charge and organiser of HPN 2027, with a commitment to expanding the involvement of all Press Council constituents so that the national event for the press community becomes more inclusive and represents the entire Indonesian press ecosystem.

“As long as there are no new regulations, the PWI will continue its responsibilities and prepare to organise HPN 2027 alongside all elements of the national press,” he said.

In front of the leaders and members of the Press Council, Munir outlined the history of the birth of HPN, which is inseparable from the journey of the PWI. The date of 9 February, which was subsequently established as National Press Day, has a direct historical connection to the birth of the PWI on 9 February 1946, in Surakarta.

The idea of formally establishing National Press Day emerged from the PWI Congress in Padang in 1978, was discussed in the Press Council forum at that time, and finally received state recognition through Presidential Decree Number 5 of 1985 concerning National Press Day.

“The selection of 9 February has an inseparable historical link to the establishment of the PWI in 1946. Therefore, the historical and institutional position of the PWI in organising HPN cannot simply be equated with other press organisations,” he said.

He explained that for approximately four decades, the PWI has consistently carried out the responsibility of organising HPN by involving the government, the Press Council, local governments, press organisations, press companies, the business world, universities, and various elements of society.

This practice, which has lasted for decades, according to him, has formed an institutional continuity that should be a key consideration if the governance of HPN is to be updated.

During the meeting, Munir also emphasised that Presidential Decree Number 5 of 1985 remains the legal basis for establishing 9 February as National Press Day.

The PWI understands the view that the decree needs to be updated because it was issued before the enactment of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press and does not explicitly regulate who is responsible for HPN.

“The PWI does not reject the updating of HPN regulations. But as long as there is no new valid legal provision, the continuity of the HPN organisation must be maintained as a momentum for the unity of the national press community,” he said.

In the meeting, the Chairman of the Press Council, Komaruddin Hidayat, also emphasised the importance of the spirit of inclusivity in the future organisation of HPN.

Press Council member Abdul Manan requested that the PWI also consider the psychological nuances of other constituent organisations if the PWI remains the person in charge of HPN.

Akhmad Munir responded positively to the views from the Press Council. According to him, maintaining the history and institutional continuity of the PWI does not mean making HPN an exclusive activity of the PWI.

“HPN belongs to all members of the Indonesian press. The PWI never claims HPN as the exclusive property of the PWI. On the contrary, we welcome the active involvement of all Press Council constituents so that HPN truly becomes a common home for the Indonesian press community,” he said.

He emphasised that the PWI is ready to open wider space for the involvement of all Press Council constituents in the organisation of HPN 2027, including in the organising committee, the preparation of the agenda, and various activities that form part of the HPN series.