Unachievable Independence

There is no other way but for the press and the public to work together and help each other to uphold press independence.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Journalists recorded the team of attorneys for the family of the late Brigadier Nofriansyah Josua Hutabarat, Kamarudin Simanjuntak and Johnson Panjaitan when they returned to the Criminal Investigation Unit at the National Police Headquarters, Jakarta, Tuesday (2/8/2022).

Article 1 of the 2006 Journalism Code of Ethics reads: "Indonesian journalists shall be independent and shall produce news that is accurate, balanced and does not have malicious intent."

“Independent” in this article means to report events and facts conscientiously without interference, coercion or intervention from any side, including the owner of the media company. Apart from emphasizing the importance of independence, the Journalistic Code of Ethics also asserts that Indonesian journalists must, among others, always verify the information, not mix fact and opinion, are professional, not create fake news, and not abuse their profession.