Rahayu's appointment was made as the post had fallen vacant after the passing of its previous holder, Azyumardi Azra, on September 18, 2022.
"We need to continue enhancing the independence of the press as well as the quality of journalism and professionalism of press companies. To achieve this, multi-stakeholders support is a must," she said after her appointment, according to a statement received here on Friday.
Rahayu, who represents the public group in the council, was appointed as its commissioner heading the press research, data, and ratification commission for the 2022–2025 period on May 18, 2022.
Besides her activities in the Press Council, she is also active as a lecturer in law studies at universities and has served as a legal education instructor for offices and institutions since 1987. She has been a staff member at the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas RI) since 2020.
She is also the director of JalaStoria, a collaborative community that aims to realize an inclusive, active, and discrimination-free Indonesian society. Further, she has written a book on the legal politics of sexual violence eradication in Indonesia.
Rahayu earlier served as commissioner of the National Commission for Women from 2006–2009 and again from 2010–2014 and as commissioner of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia from 2016–2021.
Besides appointing Rahayu as the new chairperson, the Press Council plenary meeting also agreed to appoint Asep Setiawan as the new commissioner for the 2022–2025 period and ratify amendments to the 2016 Press Council Statute as the 2023 Statute.
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Translator: Putu Indah S, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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