This is where the role of the professional press becomes crucial as a filter, verifier, and deliverer of accurate, factual, and balanced information to the public.

SERANG, POSINTERNASIONAL.COM.

The only Banten press figure to hold a Pers Card Number One at the national level, Serang, Banten, (February 9th)

specifically for the Banten region, H. Agus Sandjadirdja, emphasized that the commemoration of National Press Day (HPN) held in Banten Province.

This year should serve as a stepping stone for journalists to continue carrying out their journalistic duties professionally as providers of information for the public, nation, and state.

According to Agus, the development of the era from the conventional press to the current digital and cyber era has not changed the essence and perspective of the journalism profession.

From the inception of the press until today, the primary duty of journalists has remained the same: to work based on a journalistic code of ethics protected by Press Law Number 40 of 1999.

“It’s the same now as it was then. Every journalistic product must be balanced, not one-sided, and must respect the rights of sources.

The press must be neutral and critical, but must not deviate from journalistic principles,” said Agus.

He explained that the difference between the press of the past and the press of today lies only in speed and technology. In the 1980s,

Journalists still worked with limited resources such as paper, typewriters, shorthand notes, tape recorders, and film cameras for filming.

Once the entire reporting and writing process was complete, the news was printed and published.

“In the past, all journalists actually went to the scene of the crime, because there were no Android phones or sophisticated telecommunications equipment.

Despite these limitations, journalistic work at that time remained factual and reliable,” he said.

Meanwhile, in today’s digital era, the press is supported by fast and sophisticated technology.

In a matter of minutes, a journalistic product can be published and accessed by the public through search engines and various platforms.

“In fact, the press today should be even more powerful than in the past, because it’s easier to contact sources and obtain photographic documents and data to support journalistic work.

I am confident that the world of the press will continue to advance as long as we adhere to journalistic principles as stipulated in Press Law Number 40 of 1999,” he emphasized.

However, Agus reminded that amidst advances in digital technology, journalists are required to be more sensitive and vigilant against information containing hoaxes.

This is because in the digital era, society is faced with a massive flow of information online, where every second various content circulates on social media and other platforms.

“Therefore, it’s important to understand that social media is not a journalistic product. Information on social media isn’t necessarily true or reliable.

This is where the role of the professional press becomes crucial as a filter, verifier, and deliverer of accurate, factual, and balanced information to the public,” Agus emphasized.

Agus hopes that the momentum of National Press Day in Banten will further strengthen the commitment of journalists to uphold the dignity of the profession.

Improve the quality of journalistic work and continue to be a pillar of a healthy and responsible democracy.

Agus has extensive experience in journalism, having worked for Pikiran Rakyat Bandung around the 1980s.

He was later entrusted by Pikiran Rakyat to manage the subsidiary of the Fajar Banten Daily in 2000, and then as Editor-in-Chief of Fajar Banten Daily.

Fajar Banten Daily has since changed its name to Kabar Banten Daily.

Additionally, Agus has also served as Chairman of the Banten Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) for two terms, served on the PWI Honorary Council, and is currently a member of the Banten SMSI Advisory Board.

(trisno).

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