"I hope these photos can paint a picture of how Indonesia was in the era before the independence and democracy," Chairman of ANTARA News Agency Meidyatama Suryodiningrat said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - ANTARAs Photography division exhibited 80 photos to depict the history of Indonesia from 1937 and its journey until today, as part of the 2017 World Press Freedom Day.

"I hope these photos can paint a picture of how Indonesia was in the era before the independence and democracy," Chairman of ANTARA News Agency Meidyatama Suryodiningrat stated during the opening of the photo exhibition themed "Chronicling Indonesia in Images since 1937" in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He believed that the exhibition could serve as the window to witness the contributions, as well as obstacles, faced by the media in its efforts toward the construction of democracy.

Journalistic arts, through images that depict aesthetics, history, and heroism values, are being demonstrated by the oldest journalistic organization in Indonesia through the exhibition.

"I am now standing with the countrys oldest journalistic institution, which started as a small agency and continued to accompany Indonesias journey of development," he stated.

He hoped that the event, organized as part of the 2017 World Press Freedom Day, initiated by the UNESCO, would be beneficial and fruitful for all its participants, especially in fulfilling the rights and protection of journalists.

Additionally, Director and Representative of the UNESCO in Jakarta Shahbaz Khan remarked that pictures can convey various meanings and emotions, and it can even be thought provoking.

During 80 years of its existence, ANTARA Photography is believed to have captured important meetings between the countrys first president Soekarno and first vice president Hatta, as well as the diversity and beauty of the country.

"Indonesia is very special as it houses numerous islands and culture and so all of its important moments need to be captured and exhibited," he remarked.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017