The Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, on Monday, confirmed that the Presidential Palace Press ID, which allowed journalists to cover the President's activities, had been returned to Valencia.
The event was witnessed by CNN Indonesia Editor-in-Chief Titin Rosmasari, Deputy Chairman of the Press Council Totok Suryanto, and Head of the Presidential Press, Media, and Information Bureau (BPMI), Erlin Suastini.
"The Palace Press ID has been returned to the person concerned, witnessed by CNN Indonesia Editor-in-Chief. We returned the ID press to Valencia," Permana spoke to the media after the meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Monday.
According to him, the meeting was proof of transparency from the Palace team after CNN Indonesia wrote to the Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau (BPMI) and Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, requesting clarification regarding the revocation of Valencia's Palace Press ID.
He emphasized that the Press Bureau highly upholds the principles of openness and press freedom, as mandated by Law No. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press.
In addition, the head of BPMI, Erlin Suastini, also expressed regret over Valencia's press ID revocation, following her coverage of President Prabowo Subianto's arrival from a state visit at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Saturday (September 27).
Her press ID was revoked after she asked the president regarding specific instructions for handling several poisoning cases from the Free Nutritional Meal (MBG) program.
Meanwhile, Valencia expressed her gratitude for the Press Bureau's generosity in apologizing and returning her Palace Press ID.
"We thank the Press Bureau for returning the ID. They showed humility and apologized to me and CNN Indonesia," she stated.
On that occasion, CNN Indonesia Editor-in-Chief Titin Rosmasari emphasized that her visit to the Palace was also to convey a message and seek clarification to ensure journalists are treated better while performing their duties.
"The apology delivered by Mrs. Suastini is a statement that must be followed by action, which will lead to even better communication, collaboration, and cooperation," Rosmasari noted.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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