Jakarta, December 8, 2023 – The Chevening Dialogue and Networking Event at Xenspace Jakarta Selatan brought to light pressing issues surrounding freedom of speech and media misinformation in Indonesia. This event, featuring esteemed Chevening alumni, was moderated by Mohammad Achir Taher who is a Chief Presenter and News Manager at SEA Today. He graduated with a degree in Digital Media, Culture, and Education from University College London (2018).
The insightful speakers included Bivitri Susanti who is a Lecturer at the Indonesia Jentera School of Law and the chair of the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Association of Constitutional Law Lecturers. She completed her studies in Law and Development at the University of Warwick (2002). Joining her was Wahyu Dhyatmika, CEO of PT. Info Media Digital, who holds a degree in International Journalism from the University of Westminster (2004). Together, they highlighted challenges from existing regulations like the ITE Law. They critically assessed the law's effectiveness, pointing out its failure to bring meaningful change and its frequent misuse to suppress freedom of speech.
The law’s vague wording has led to its misuse in cases involving victims of abuse who face legal consequences for speaking out. This misapplication of the law often overshadowed fundamental issues, as seen in the case of Haris Fatia and the ongoing Papuan conflict. The discussion underlined the ITE Law's role in facilitating the abuse of power by authorities, resulting in the silencing of vital civil society voices. Moreover, the speakers highlighted a troubling feature of the ITE Law, which allows personal matters to face criminal prosecution. This practice overlooks the more justifiable method of resolving such issues through civil litigation. This tendency illustrates a broader problem in managing freedom of speech, which is increasingly controlled through the intimidation of imprisonment.
Beyond national borders, the conversation expanded to include a global perspective on 'sedition laws.' Such laws are increasingly used by governments worldwide to curb dissenting opinions legally. The speakers called for stronger regulations to protect human rights defenders and voiced their concern over the lack of commitment from Indonesian presidential candidates on this issue, stressing the critical role of freedom in fostering equality and justice.
The issue of media misinformation was then addressed with an emphasis on the necessity of broadening press freedom to protect independent media, which is currently vulnerable under the ITE Law. Managing misinformation has become a significant concern in this digital era, where information is rapidly disseminated. The speakers proposed comprehensive strategies involving both news producers and distributors to ensure the dissemination of quality information while minimizing the spread of misinformation.
Concluding on a proactive note, the discussion urged strengthening networks against violence, empowering vulnerable communities, and promoting a healthier legal culture where disputes are resolved civilly rather than criminally. It also advocated for promoting higher journalism standards, where the focus shifts from merely accumulating traffic metrics to creating viewer loyalty and impactful journalism.
For more detailed insights from the event, the Chevening Alumni Association Indonesia invites you to watch the recorded session available on CAAI YouTube Channel.