President Urges Indonesian Media To Build Public Optimism

Lombok, W Nusa Tenggara, Feb 9 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo has called on the workers of the Indonesian press to build public optimism by providing information that can encourage and inspire the people to develop the country.

"How does our press take part in building optimism, work ethos, and productivity of our people," he affirmed while delivering a speech before journalists and guests attending the commemoration of this year's National Press Day (HPN) here on Tuesday.

The head of state also urged the country's mass media to not become trapped in sensational news by seeking analysts or observers' views that could create a sense of pessimism among the people.

He then cited several headlines that could trigger public pessimism, such as "Indonesia Predicted to Get Ruined", "Government Fails", "Fail to Resolve Haze, Riau Threatened to Gain Freedom", "Indonesia Will Go Bankrupt", and Jokowi-JK Will Collapse."

"If such media headlines continue to be served to the public amid this competitive era, the nation's people will only demonstrate pessimism, poor work ethos, and unsatisfying productivity," he emphasized.

President Widodo believed that such media headlines were merely created based on assumptions, but they did influence the public opinion and could create investor disbelief in Indonesia at the end. If the investors' trust could no longer be retained, there would be no inflow of investments.

"The trust is built by the mass media," he pointed out.

In other parts of his speech, the head of state also touched on the online news media, which often ignores the press code of ethics in disseminating information as fast as possible. Such media outlets also overlook accuracy and the system of checks and balances in their news reporting and combine facts and opinions.  

According to President Widodo, the country's mass media also needs to face its own challenges.

"If earlier the government had put pressure on them, but now, the contrary is happening. Presently, the media is facing pressure from media houses themselves as a result of the ongoing competition among them. The media is facing pressure from its own environment. This is what they must avoid together," he added.

In an effort to build the nation's character, President Widodo urged television stations across the country to regularly air Indonesia's national anthem "Indonesia Raya" and patriotic songs, such as "Padamu Negeri" (For You, My Country) and "Garuda Pancasila" (Garuda Five Principles) during prime time.

"By doing this, our children from Sabang to Merauke will memorize our national songs," he pointed out.

During the visit, the president was accompanied by First Lady Iriana, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Imam Nahrawi, and National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti.

Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Chairman Margiono remarked here on Tuesday that the participants of the HPN were journalists, members of the Press Council, media owners, and numerous media reporters from ASEAN member countries.

The HPN, held in the resort island of Lombok, was also attended by Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Rizal Ramli, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, and Communication and Informatics Minister Rudiantara, among others.

Last year, the HPN 2015 was held in the Riau Islands' provincial city of Batam and was attended by several foreign ambassadors. (Ant).