Mahfud made the statement on the ministry's YouTube account as monitored by Antara here on Wednesday.
"The press must continue to play a role in building a more democratic and civilized Indonesia in pursuit of a Golden Indonesia in 2045," according to the minister.
In commemoration of National Press Day (HPN) 2022, the minister extended greetings of Happy Press Day to all members of the press that had contributed to Indonesia's independence.
"Happy National Press Day on February 9, 2022. In the past, the press participated in the struggle for Indonesian independence and defended that independence," he affirmed.
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National Press Day is celebrated every February 9, which coincides with the anniversary of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) that was founded on February 9, 1946.
The commemoration themed "Sultra Jaya, Advanced Indonesia" is centered in Kendari of Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra).
Various activities were held to mark the day, including a National Mass Media Convention to discuss various problems and challenges of the media industry in Indonesia, the awarding of the Adinegoro journalism award, and other events highlighting environmental issues and regional development.
At the National Mass Media Convention, Mahfud echoed the government's commitment to supporting quality journalism.
To this end, the government is currently still reviewing appropriate regulations to support this goal.
"Currently, the government is conducting an academic study of the proposed regulations submitted by the Press Council regarding quality journalism and digital platform responsibilities, including the appropriate form of regulation," he remarked while delivering a virtual speech at the National Media Convention on Tuesday.
Mahfud noted that the government had, so far, not decided on the regulation to be formed.
The minister noted that the regulation could be made in the form of a law (UU) or government regulation (PP) as implementing regulations for the law, either the Information and Electronic Transactions Law (ITE) or the law regulating the prohibition of monopolistic practices and unfair competition, he expounded.
"I myself have ordered my staff to oversee the process of drafting the regulation,” he remarked.
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Translator: Katriana
Editor: Suharto
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