Optimistic press industry will contribute to economic growth: Minister

Kamis, 9 Februari 2023 07:31 WIB

Minister of Communication and Information, Johnny G. Plate, addressing a press conference at his ministry’s office in Jakarta on January 4, 2023. (ANTARA/Suci Nurhaliza)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Communication and Informatics (Menkominfo) Johnny G. Plate has said he is optimistic that the national press industry will be able to contribute to Indonesia's economic growth.

"The government is optimistic that the national economy will grow by 5.31 percent despite the impact due to the weakening global economy," he observed in a statement received here on Wednesday.

"We hope the mass media community will take advantage of this difficult time as a challenge and opportunity to continue to grow and develop for the better," he said.

Minister Plate made the remarks at the “Mass Media Convention” regarding the 2023 National Press Day (HPN), in Medan, North Sumatra province, on Wednesday.

Plate said that in today's digital era, mass media has grown enormously. As many as 88 percent of people use digital media. As a result, a number of media are involved in fierce competition.

So, it is hoped that the mass media industry will be able to take advantage of the various opportunities and continue to play a role in building a digital era that is clean and safe for users, he said.

"In this digital era, fierce competition continues to occur. Therefore, people in the mass media industry must be able to take advantage of opportunities to create a digital world that is clean, safe, and comfortable for users," he said.

Plate also asked the mass media to continue to avoid malinformation to maintain the continuity of its existence.

Meanwhile, North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi said press freedom in North Sumatra was opened as wide as possible.

"As the media has freedom, we are often disappointed, too (by their reporting)," he added.

"However, we continue to work with constructive mass media, which report professionally and in a balanced manner according to journalistic norms," he said.

Rahmayadi also said he feels grateful that his province has been given the opportunity to host the 2023 HPN.

In the meantime, general chairperson of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Center, Atal S. Depari, said that PWI is committed to guarding a free, democratic, and dignified press.