Journalists Are Allowed to Have Political Choices, Here Are Tips From ProMedia's CEO to Maintain Neutrality

JAKARTADAILY.ID – Towards the people's democratic party in 2024, the role of the media as a gateway for information is becoming increasingly important.

The neutrality and independence of the mass media is the concern of various national stakeholders.

CEO of ProMedia Technology Indonesia Agus Sulistriyono said that in principle, journalists are not prohibited from having political choices. However, they must maintain the principles of neutrality and independence for each of their journalistic works.

Also read: Indonesian Police Dismisses Rumors of Cults Behind the Deaths of the Kalideres Family

So how does a journalist maintain these two principles?

"Reporters are not prohibited from having political choices, no, but they shouldn't be seen around," said Agus Sulistriyono in a media discussion entitled 'Strengthening Election Organizer Resources in Implementing Democracy 2024' at the KPU RI media center, Central Jakarta, Friday, November 18, 2022.

Be careful posting content on social media

Also read: ACT Foundation Charged with Embezzling Boeing Funds for Lion Air 610 Crash Victims

Sulis, Agus Sulistriyono's nickname, explained his experience as editor-in-chief at a number of Kompas Gramedia (KG) media networks several years ago.

At that time, he even asked the journalists working under his coordination to be careful in posting content on social media in order to maintain the neutrality and independence principles.

A journalist's political choices should be hidden or unknown to people because his duties as a journalist are bound to a code of ethics.

Also read: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Reopens Its Gates and Sells Hundreds of Tickets in a Few Hours

"Don't let his choice be seen, actually (a journalist) must already have a (political) choice, but it's better to keep quiet," said the man who has successfully developed a networked media ecosystem from one of the oldest newspapers in Indonesia.

Sulis also said that journalists must have basic integrity because this factor is very decisive in being independent and neutral.