The success of making the next general elections running fairly, honestly and democratically would help boost the growth of democracy in the country, Margiono said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked the press to help make the next general elections in 2014 a success to make democracy in the country stronger.

He made the request when receiving the committee for the commemoration of the National Press Day in 2013.

President Yudhoyono hoped the press would conduct two things namely making the next general elections successful and democracy healthier, committee chairman Margiono said after the meeting.

The success of making the next general elections running fairly, honestly and democratically would help boost the growth of democracy in the country, he said quoting the president.

"The press according to the President plays an important role in the development of democracy," he said.

He said President Yudhoyono had also urged the Indonesian press to develop international cooperation with the press from other countries including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The President also urged the press to boost cooperation among newsmen through formal forums such as press associations, he added.

In the meeting Margiono who is also the chief of the Indonesia Press Association (PWI) was accompanied by PWI advisory board chairman Tarman Azzam, Press Council chairman Bagir Manan, Council member Bambang Harimurti, Advisory Council member Sabam Siagian and head of the Association of Press Publication Companies (SPS), Dahlan Iskan, who is also minister of state enterprises.

President Yudhoyono meanwhile was flanked by Minister of Communication and Information Tifatul Sembiring, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam and North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, the host of the commemoration of the National Press Day 2013.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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