Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara said here on Thursday that all citizens were responsible for protecting freedom of press and therefore, a good understanding of the issue remains important.
"When journalists report events, they contact the people. Hence, improving peoples literacy about media freedom becomes necessary," Rudiantara stated after World Press Freedom Day 2017 closing ceremony at JCC in Jakarta.
He further stated that a basic knowledge on self-defense was also important for journalists who cover the conflict areas or countries.
"Indonesia has respected the freedom of press for 17 years since the Reformation Era in 1998. We have learned how to use the media to criticize and deliver opinions which later would be used by the government to improve the welfare of the people," Rudiantara remarked.
He added that the journalists today face various problems, including a safe environment for covering news.
This years World Press Freedom Day, which was marked from May 1 to 4, was organized jointly by UNESCO, Indonesian government, and the countrys press council.
During the closing ceremony, the organizers presented the "Jakarta Declaration," a 26-page document which calls all the UNESCO members to recognize the basic principles of human rights and its relevance to the free, independent, and pluralistic media outlets.
"(We) call on journalists, media outlets, social media practitioners and internet intermediaries to provide reliable public interest journalism, both online and offline, based on high ethical and professional standards and supported by verifiable facts and informed opinion, which in turn can serve as a shared currency of information that allows for mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue," the declaration stated.(WDY)
