"In the independence (movement) period, through its journalistic works, the press actively instilled the spirit of nationalism in every child of the nation to escape colonialism," Moerdijat said in a written statement received on Thursday.
The MPR deputy speaker remarked that at this time, the press should be able to play a role in driving the enthusiasm of every citizen to unite in realizing a competitive and noble nation.
Moerdijat made the statement in connection with the commemoration of National Press Day (HPN), celebrated every February 9.
She noted that the freedom of the press, which functions as the unifier of the nation, is needed in the development process towards a more advanced and democratic nation, especially amid the globalization era, which is replete with challenges.
Moerdijat further emphasized that the various impacts of global changes should be faced by applying nationalistic values in four national consensuses inherited from the country's founders.
Those four consensuses are the state ideology of Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
Through its journalistic works, the press should be able to unify, educate, and promote nationalistic values, so that the country's children can apply them, she said.
Moerdijat stated that while doing their duty, journalists must adhere to the code of ethics amid the demand for accelerated distribution of information.
The MPR deputy speaker stated that preserving Indonesia as an independent, united, sovereign, just, and prosperous country is one of the mandates of the Constitution for the nation's children, including members of the press, that should be carried out.
"I hope, along with other elements of the nation, Indonesia's press can work jointly in realizing social justice for all Indonesian people," she stated.
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Translator: Muhammad Zulfikar, Raka Adji
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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