West Java Governor Hopes Press Will Be a Critical Friend

The Head of the West Java Communication and Informatics Office, Adi Komar, representing Governor Dedi Mulyadi, stated that technological advancements have significantly altered how the public accesses information and news. He delivered the governor’s remarks at the West Java Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Provincial Conference in Bandung on Wednesday (12/8/2026). Governor Dedi Mulyadi was unable to attend as he was visiting several regions to assess issues within the community. Adi Komar noted that in the past, people relied on newspapers, radio, and television, whereas now news arrives from various sources, including social media, WhatsApp groups, and short videos, with some content even being generated by artificial intelligence. He pointed out that fake news remains a frequent problem in West Java, including fabricated content falsely attributed to the governor. The issue of information also arises in matters close to public life, such as the West Java SPMB 2026 case, which evolved from a technical public service issue into a public communication problem when the community needed fast, clear, and trustworthy information. This demonstrates that when the government is slow to provide information, the void is quickly filled by other, potentially false, information. He stressed the strategic position of journalists, whose function cannot be replaced by algorithms. While algorithms can predict what people want to see, artificial intelligence can generate text in seconds, and social media can spread information in minutes, journalism offers something far more important: verification, context, independence, and accountability to the public. Amidst the flood of information, the public needs more quality journalism and reporters who ensure that what is reported is trustworthy. The West Java Provincial Government does not want the media to only report positive news, but hopes the press will be a critical friend, reminding the government of its mistakes and conveying public issues that have not been heard. The governor concluded by expressing hope that the PWI conference would produce beneficial programmes and invited journalists to jointly combat fake news and build a healthy information ecosystem in West Java, emphasising that the government cannot work alone and needs the support of journalists at all levels.