Media Professionalism Gets Tested
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi (center), operations assistant to the National Police chief Insp. Gen. (Pol) Deden Juhara (center, right), and president director of Jasa Raharja Budi Rahardjo (center, left) give a statement after a coordination meeting in anticipation of the 2018 Lebaran return exodus at the headquarters of the traffic police in Jakarta, Thursday (14/6/2018). The ministry prepared a number of measures to anticipate the heavy traffic over the holiday, including by providing more rest stops along toll roads and prohibiting large trucks from using major highways.
The national press as part of the mass media that spreads information and forms opinions must be able to carry out its duties as best as possible.
The basis of this “as best as possible” requirement makes up an independent and professional press. Therefore, mass media workers, especially journalists, must have legal guarantees and protection, as well as be freed from interference and coercion from any party.