(04/5/2023) | World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every 3 May. The purpose of having a press day commemoration is to celebrate the basic principles of press freedom, defend the media in disclosing freedom, and evaluate press freedom globally.
In fact, until now, the press and journalists are still victims whose freedoms are often suppressed and silenced. Freedom of speech, expression, and opinion is the right of every person regulated in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia (1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia). This limitation on press freedom in Indonesia can also be seen in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report and survey in 2020, which stated that Indonesia’s press freedom was ranked 117th out of 176 countries.
The survey includes five assessment indicators: political, economic, legislative, and social, and the lowest point is on the security indicator. The press and journalists in Indonesia are still often victims of intimidation by certain parties, mainly when covering issues that are considered sensitive.
The same thing was said by a human rights expert from the Faculty of Law, 51动漫 (FH UNAIR), Haidar Adam, S.H., LL.M. Haidar said threats against journalists are still common in Indonesia, especially journalists who represent the public in criticizing unfair social situations.
“On this world press day, I hope the state will play a more active role in guaranteeing press freedom and protecting journalists from threats. I also invite all parties to respect press freedom and use public law in resolving disputes related to reporting,” said Haidar, a lecturer in constitutional law at FH UNAIR.
Regulations regarding the press in Indonesia are contained in Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (DUHAM), Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, and regulations of the Press Council. Freedom of the press is a form of popular sovereignty. Media freedom is also essential in creating a democratic nation and state life. In the life of a democratic government and state, accountability to the people must be guaranteed, and a transparent state administration system must also function properly. Thus, justice and truth will be created.
