Journalists are reminded to obey the journalistic code of ethics

JAKARTA, BALIPOST.com – PWI members are reminded to be disciplined in adhering to the journalistic code of ethics (KEJ) as a form of professional attitude in producing quality journalism products.

Chairman of the Honorary Council of the Central Indonesian Journalists Association (DK PWI) Sasongko Tedjo reminded this. Compliance with KEJ is not only due to the order of Article 7 paragraph (2) of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press (Press Law), which states that journalists have and obey a Journalistic Code of Ethics.

“More than that, compliance with KEJ is also a form of journalists’ professional awareness that there are rules and standards that must be met in carrying out journalistic work,” said Sasongko in a statement received in Jakarta, quoted from Antara news agency, Tuesday (21 /11).

He said that the 11 Articles of the KEJ were a summary of standards and rules which were fundamental guidelines for journalists in carrying out journalistic work, from planning to producing and evaluating news.

As in Article 1 of the KEJ, Sasongko reminded journalists to be independent, not in bad faith, accurate and balanced from planning coverage to searching, obtaining, processing and publishing news.

Meanwhile, Article 2 KEJ, he said, journalists also use professional methods in carrying out their duties.

In short, continued Sasongko, KEJ guides journalists to produce quality news, which is not only interesting but also important and enlightens the public.

“Imagine if every news was current, factual, accurate, balanced, and did not mix facts and judgmental opinions. Apart from that, do not act in bad faith, pay attention to the norms of local wisdom of the community, and without discriminatory prejudice. “Of course, the news produced will be of high quality as a form of public responsibility of the press in carrying out the functions of control, education, disseminating information, and providing entertainment or raising hope,” he said.

He conveyed this appeal in response to the current situation relating to the 2024 election contestation, especially after the announcement of the determination of the serial numbers of presidential and vice presidential candidate pairs, Tuesday (14/11).

The Central PWI DK also observed an increase in the number of public complaints regarding media reports, both print and electronic, including news sites, television and radio.

The Press Council Complaints and Ethics Enforcement Commission received 748 complaints during the January-October 2023 period. This number has increased compared to 2022 with a total of 691 complaints.

“As many as 97 percent of violations of the Press Law and KEJ were committed by online/digital media. The majority of types of violations (60 percent) consist of not testing information, including verification, confirmation and clarification. “The rest, the news cited untrusted/credible sources (20 percent), sexual provocation/exploitation (10 percent), and hoaxes (10 percent),” he said. (Kmb/Balipost)