"I asked the Minister of Communication and Informatics to prioritize spending government advertising budget for press companies. I have conveyed this many times," he said at the commemoration of the 2024 National Press Day (HPN) in Jakarta on Tuesday.
However, he admitted that such a step will not solve the overall challenges faced by the press amid the current digital transformation.
Still, the government's allocation of advertising spending could serve as short-term assistance for press companies, which are facing difficult times amid competition from digital platforms, he said.
On the same occasion, the head of state also signed the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) on Publishers' Rights as a form of government support for quality journalism.
He then said that content creators do not need to worry that the decree will hinder their cooperation with digital platforms.
"This presidential decree does not apply to content creators. Please continue your work that has been running with digital platforms. There will be no problem," he emphasized.
Widodo said that the government is aware of the challenges faced by the press in the digital era. Therefore, it is continuing to support an adaptive press ecosystem while still respecting press freedom.
The highlight of the 2024 HPN commemoration was its theme of "Guarding the National Leadership Transition and Maintaining the Integrity of the Nation."
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK), Muhadjir Effendy; Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian; National Police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo; and speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Bambang Soesatyo, also attended the event.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi G, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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