In the near future, Indonesia will implement digital platforms, such as Google to Facebook, to pay for news content. This certainty was expressed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when he saw the condition of the sustainability of conventional media in the country.
In his remarks at the National Press Day in Medan, North Sumatra, Jokowi said that currently the Minister of Communication and Informatics (Menkominfo) Johnny G. Plate has submitted an initiative permit related to the draft presidential regulation on cooperation between press companies and digital platforms.
This Perpres is meant to support quality journalism. This rule also concerns the regulation of publisher rights.
"We know that the Minister of Communication and Informatics has just submitted an initiative permit regarding the draft presidential regulation on cooperation between press companies and digital platforms to support quality journalism," said Jokowi.
In addition to the presidential regulation, Jokowi said there was a draft presidential regulation regarding the responsibilities of digital platform companies. Jokowi wants to hold a meeting to discuss this draft presidential regulation. It is hoped that the regulation can be completed within the next month.
"But there is another suggestion, the draft presidential regulation regarding the responsibility of digital platform companies to support quality journalism. My suggestion is to meet, then within one month this presidential regulation issue must be completed. Not more than one month. I will take part in several discussions about this, " he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Plate encouraged the Press Council to prepare a roadmap for implementing a legal umbrella related to media sustainability, so as to encourage a more fair level playing field and produce convergence of media industry businesses.
"After a long process, HPN has discussed several times the business aspects of press, journalism and the media, which reached a point where a legal umbrella known as publisher rights is needed to maintain convergence and build a more balanced playing field," said Johnny.
Johnny also appreciates the role of academics and press ecosystem partners in formulating regulations related to publisher rights.
"We will go through the process of making legislation together. I hope that this process will be carried out more quickly because we have streamlined the issues and invite stakeholders to participate more actively so they can have meeting points, the same nodes," he concluded.