Press freedom has a consequence that responsibility has no longer relied on censorship."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla has called on the countrys journalists here, Wednesday, to work professionally by using accurate data in the news articles made public.

"If you write libelous news articles, the people will become irate. Hence, please attempt to pen your news articles, with objective and accurate data. The people will then not get infuriated," he informed journalists here after officially inaugurating an event to commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2017.

Kalla made the statement in response to the fact that news articles put forth by journalists tend to draw the ire of some people in Indonesia due to which the situation can potentially endanger the lives of journalists.

Apart from this factual reality, the lives of journalists in Indonesia are generally safer as compared to those in several other countries, he remarked, adding that all professions carry their own risks, and the journalists need not take unnecessary risks in doing their professional duties.

Hence, Kalla urged local journalists to respect and uphold their rights and duties and the freedom of press by providing the public with impartial and objective news.

Prior to the press conference, during his speech at the opening ceremony, Kalla emphasized the importance of maintaining the freedom of press responsibly amid the fact that the era of censorship had ended.

"Press freedom has a consequence that responsibility has no longer relied on censorship. Instead, it relies on the internal credibility of the media and society," he noted at the event attended by Nobel Laureate and former president of Timor Leste Jose Ramos Horta.

Kalla also thanked Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Irina Bokova for selecting Indonesia to be the host of this four-day event themed "Critical Minds for Critical Times: Medias role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies."

(Reported by Azizah Fitriyanti/Uu.R013/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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