At the 6th Congress of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) that was held last Friday (29 October), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that it is important for the  press to be more adaptive and innovative in this era of disruptive technology.

“During the pandemic, we noticed the importance of information. The public is overwhelmed by information about the pandemic; the infodemic spreads in swift and massive manners that brings impacts as powerful as the pandemic itself,” the president said in the beginning of his speech. 

This information overload makes the role of journalists more important than ever, as they will be a light in the darkness that plays a part in maintaining conditions in the society under control, while promoting optimism and giving hope to the public.

He said that, “Journalism is not merely about collecting facts; it is more than that as journalists should also consider the impact. It is not only good journalism, but also wise journalism.”

The president also mentioned how the emergence of new media platforms must also support transformation and advancement of the nation. People in the media should not be motivated only by the number of viewers, subscribers, or likes, to the point where media only contain clickbaits. 

He ensured that the government will continue to uphold its commitment to maintaining the freedom of press. The government also welcomes any criticism and solution from the press in order to improve government policies. 

“Constructive criticism is very important and the government will respond to such by fulfilling our responsibilities to produce results that are beneficial for the general public," he added.