Jakarta (VNA) – The 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s National Press Day was celebrated in Serang city, Banten province, on February 9, honouring the role of the press in the country’s political and social life as well as its democratic process.
In his remarks, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar said journalism will continue to require a human touch to ensure quality, uphold ethics, and remain faithful to the truth amid ongoing technological disruption.
He affirmed that the press is one of the key pillars of democracy, while calling on media organisations to uphold independence, professionalism and social responsibility, especially amid the growing spread of misinformation and fake news.
Akhmad Munir, Chairman of the Indonesian Wartawan Association (PWI) said that press freedom must go hand in hand with professionalism, accuracy and objectivity, grounded in strict adherence to professional ethical standards. He affirmed that amid the constantly evolving digital information environment, Indonesian journalism will continue to serve as a pillar of democracy while safeguarding the public interest.
Benny Butarbutar, President Director of Indonesia’s national news agency ANTARA, told the Vietnam News Agency that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot replace humans in conveying humanistic values and emotions – the core elements of journalism. He stressed that AI should be viewed only as a supporting tool, not a substitute for journalists.
He also urged reporters, especially younger journalists, to proactively broaden their perspectives and continuously enhance professional skills to maintain their standing amid the information boom, the rise of fake news, and the rapid development of AI technologies.
Activities marking Indonesia’s National Press Day 2026 were held from February 6–9, featuring national journalism forums, thematic seminars on media sustainability and the role of the press in overseeing public policy, as well as community-oriented social activities./.
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