Position Statement: AJI Reminds the Media Verification by the Press Council Not to Infringe Press Freedom

The plan by the Press Council to announce the list of media that have passed its administration and factual verification has drawn some controversies. The verified media are to be announced on 9 February 2017 by the Press Council in Ambon. The day was in celebration of the Anniversary of Persatuan Wartawan Indonesia (PWI, the Indonesian Journalists' Association), also celebrated as the National Press Day by the press community.

The data collection and verification of the media is the implementation of the Law no 40/1999 article 15 clause 2F regarding the Press Council’s duty to gather data of press companies. It is also the commitment of Indonesian press community as declared in the Palembang Declaration 9 February 2010.

AJI understands that the aim of the data gathering and verification by the Press Council is to ensure that media meet their administrative and factual requirements to uphold their function as free and professional press.

The verification includes the media legality; reporting content; clear editorial responsibility; proof of financial ability to employ journalists with reasonable pay; existing guide of ethical code, guide of conduct, and more.

AJI deems that the data gathering and verification are also the way to maintain press credibility that have been eroded recently as the result of booming social media and misuses.

AJI will continue to fight for the freedom of press, freedom of speech, independence, professional ethics, and champion public interest, all of which are the principles that have to be continuously upheld. Meanwhile the Press Council is the organization that has received the mandate of law to maintain the freedom of press in ethical and professional way.

Even though the initiation was already started 7 years ago, apparently the media verification still draws debates as well as rejection. Some even see this as the “new media silencing” because it has been circulated that any media that hasn’t been verified would not be defended or protected by the Press Council when they enter some dispute regarding  news reporting.

The Alliance of Independent Journalists, established on 7 August 1994, currently has 36 AJI city-chapters throughout Indonesia, is consists of journalists, columnists, and bloggers as members. Regarding the latest development of this matter, the Alliance of Independent Journalists states that:

1. The verification done by the Press Council should not cause consequences that would danger the freedom of press. For example, there cannot be any obstruction of reportage or access toward the press workers who really are performing their journalistic duties despite the company they are working for are not verified by the Press Council. The media companies that have not passed verification, as long as they are working in accordance with the Journalistic Code of Ethics, should also be defended and still protected through the Press Law scheme when they face any news reporting dispute. AJI also deems that it is important for the Press Council to response the rumors, that have been spreading among the public and press stakeholders, that the news sources from government agencies are requested to only give answers to the verified media.
2. There should be improvement of the verification requirements by the Press Council. Stricter requirements, to ensure the minimal benchmark of media to operate decently, must be fulfilled. However, the requirements must not shut off the opportunity for media start-up companies, alternative media, and media communities that have been growing recently. The media start-up is one of the ways to cultivate diversity of content, and is part of the freedom of press and freedom of expression protected by the Constitution. Widen the verification standard, particularly regarding the legal entity that accommodate journalistic products outside the press companies, such as Association, Foundation, and Cooperative.
3. Data gathering and verification toward media is one of the initiatives to make the press healthier. However, AJI deems that there should be improvement in its implementation. AJI regards that the various reactions—some are negative—toward the certification program has been caused by lack of information distribution in the press community. The whole picture of the certification program (including the implementation guidelines and technical guidelines) is not properly available. As such, the Press Council should sit together with the stakeholders, need to explain in details regarding the verification matter, its purpose, the requirements that need to be fulfilled by any media that wish to pass the verification, as well as other detailed requirements. The purpose is to determine what requirements that need to be fulfilled the media in applying for verification and other details. Sufficient description of the certification should be widely distributed including through the Press Council website.
4. Request the Press Council to sit together with press stakeholders to formulate clearer rules and requirements in media verification. If necessary, there should be review of the media that have already passed the verification. This is to ensure that the rules about the verification are implemented consistently and carefully. The reason is inconsistency in verification will directly affect the attainment of the purpose of this program: to push to media to be more professional and abiding to the code of ethics.

Jakarta, 7 February 2017

Suwarjono                                        Arfi Bambani Amri

President of AJI                                Secretary-General

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