"President Joko Widodo offered that the provisions regarding publisher rights could be regulated through three options: revision of existing laws, issuance of a new law, or being regulated in government regulation. President Jokowi also invited members of the press to participate in choosing the best option," he said in a written statement here on Wednesday.
Soesatyo noted that fair digital competition between the press and global digital platforms, such as Google, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and others, is essential to strengthen the national press industry, to not only make it healthy in journalistic terms, but also economically.
"This would also prevent digital feudalism," he added.
Many countries have crafted regulations on publisher rights, including Australia, which has ratified the News Media Bargaining Code, and South Korea, which has just implemented an amendment to the telecommunications business law, the Telecommunication Business Act, he noted.
Related news: President supports immediate issuance of publisher rights regulation
"Both regulations support journalistic media amid the technological disruption. With the News Media Bargaining Code, mass media companies in Australia can negotiate prices for their content that are published on global digital platforms. The regulation gives two months to reach a price agreement. If no agreement is reached, the government appoints a mediator," he expounded.
Earlier, President Widodo had voiced support for the immediate issuance of a publisher rights regulation to bring about improvements in the national press industry.
The legalization of journalistic copyright regulations was one of the suggestions put forward during the commemoration of 2022 National Press Day hosted by the National Journalists Association in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.
"We leave it to the National Journalists Association and the Press Council so that we can finalize the regulation soon. I will continue to support it after the choice has been made whether a new law, revision of the old law, or using a Government Regulation," the President said from the Bogor Presidential Palace on Wednesday.
Related news: Publisher right paramount to handling digital feudalism: Press Council
Translator: Fauzi, Raka Adji
Editor: Suharto
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