VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan - The state needs the press in true perspective to function as the fourth pillar of democracy and play a vital role in maintaining the conducive situation of the state and nation, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated.

"As the fourth pillar of democracy, the press is expected to provide information to the public, thwart hoaxes, and maintain the conducive situation of the nation," he stated while addressing National Press Day 2020, in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Saturday.

He highlighted that the public also needs the press since it is obtaining good, reliable information from journalists joining the press association or a good environment.

Hence, the president noted that the government and various relevant parties had held discussions to issue a regulation in favor of the press so that journalists can perform their duties as properly as possible.

"We hope that through the regulation, we would present the press as being capable of working properly and furnishing sound information to the public since it is the result of good information," he stated.

The president expressed support to journalists to write various stories, including those supporting and criticizing the government's performance to change the situation for the better.

"We hope all pieces of information that journalists convey to the public would deliver maximum benefits. The information includes regional head elections to be conducted in various regions and the government's constant efforts to handle the coronavirus," he stated.

High-ranking state officials, ministers, and ambassadors of friendly countries, as well as thousands of journalists from all over the country, will also be present at the function to mark National Press Day 2020. (ANTARA)