Prabowo: Professional and Integrity-based Press is a National Asset

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - President Prabowo Subianto hopes that the Indonesian press will continue to prioritize the interests of the nation and the state. As the fourth pillar of democracy, a professional and integrity-driven press is also referred to as a national asset.

This was conveyed by President Prabowo while delivering his greetings for National Press Day 2025, Sunday (9/2/2025) through a recording uploaded on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel. "I, Prabowo Subianto, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and on my own behalf, wish a Happy 79th National Press Day to all press personnel in Indonesia," he said.

The Indonesian press, for the past eight decades, has been an important pillar in democratic life, voicing the truth, and providing accurate information to the Indonesian public. "I appreciate the hard work of journalists, reporters, and media personnel who continue to carry out their service with high dedication despite the increasingly complex challenges they face," said President Prabowo.

The dynamics faced by the press world are acknowledged. The Head of State also mentioned that a professional and integrity-driven press is a national asset. "But I need to remind you that the Indonesian press must always prioritize the interests of the nation, the state, and the Indonesian people, and must be vigilant against efforts to control thoughts and influence the course of public opinion using large capital," said the President.

The Indonesian press must become a Pancasila press, a press that is involved in national development that is committed to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

President Prabowo stated that there is a tendency for those with substantial capital and control over the media to influence certain countries. Therefore, although press freedom is highly upheld, vigilance must always be maintained.

"Be cautious of the spread of false news, hoax news, the spread of hatred, and the spread of distrust among fellow citizens. These divisive efforts must always be watched out for," said the President.

The Indonesian press is also expected to always be dynamic and responsible. Therefore, understanding what constitutes the interests of the Indonesian nation and state, as well as always being loyal to the ideals of the founding fathers of Indonesia, becomes important.

"The Indonesian press must become a Pancasila press, a press that is involved in national development that is committed to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," said President Prabowo.

Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership Haedar Nashir on Saturday (8/2/2025) expected the press to carry out its functions fully and comprehensively. This function is not merely a function of social control but also education and presenting objective, fair, enlightening, and intelligent information for the nation.

In commemorating this year's National Press Day (HPN), according to Haedar, all people and institutions managing the press or mass media need to reflect on the normative and imperative rules in Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. With the increasingly free press ecosystem, it is hoped that truth, goodness, and the noble values of life will continue to be upheld.

On the contrary, the press must stay away from hoaxes, provocations, hate speech and hostility, and things that undermine the dignity, goodness, and unity of the nation. "The principle of covering both sides must be upheld while developing the presentation of information that provides many views so that it is not tendentious and monolithic," said Haedar.

The national press is also expected to provide objective, knowledge-based education and provide opportunities for all citizens to absorb information democratically. The press is also expected to provide the people with complete information and perspectives from various aspects, so as not to cause bias and monolithic opinions in front of the people.

The people have the right to sort and choose information that is presented objectively, balanced, and democratically. "Avoid mixing facts and opinions, especially those that are tendentious and only based on one point of view. Respect the good choices of community groups with dignity without being judged unilaterally as a form of respecting the principles of democracy," added Haedar.

The national press as a pillar of democracy is also expected to remain the guardian of democracy and play an active role in the process of consolidating Indonesian democracy. In addition to remaining constructive and critical in responding to state policies, the national press is expected to help create a moderate democratic culture based on the noble values of Pancasila, religion, and national culture.

The existence of social and digital media as new media in the life of the press and the national ecosystem is expected to continue to uphold the noble values and ethics that live in the body of the nation, namely Pancasila, religion, and national culture. Digital media and artificial intelligence (AI) technology must not be misused for interests that are detrimental to the public interest, including spreading unrest, fraud, extortion, and damaging the dignity of others.

"Develop a thorough self-editing mechanism before information and all forms of presentation are brought to the public space. Use both new media to advance the life and civilization of the nation," said Haedar.

With the increasingly massive development of digital media and social media, it is recognized that print media and other conventional media are increasingly threatened. All parties are expected to maintain the existence and sustainability of print media and conventional media as part of maintaining universal culture.

Finally, Haedar advised that the press as a mass media is truly a cultural media that is based and oriented towards the development of a collective human knowledge system in life together, including in national and international life. Therefore, the national press must maintain noble values and knowledge about the truth, goodness, and main ethics of life.

The press is not a media that is merely a pragmatic tool, let alone a tool for political and economic interests. Humans and nations do not only need truth, goodness, and the virtues of life in a profane way, but also sacred and transcendent dimensions as taught by religions.