Freedom of opinion, expression, and the press are human rights protected by Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. Press freedom serves as a medium for the public to obtain information and communicate, in order to fulfill essential needs and improve the quality of human life. In realizing press freedom, Indonesian journalists are also aware of national interests, social responsibilities, societal diversity, and religious norms.
In carrying out its functions, rights, obligations, and roles, the press must respect everyone’s human rights. Therefore, the press is required to be professional and open to public scrutiny.
To guarantee press freedom and fulfill the public’s right to accurate information, Indonesian journalists require a moral foundation and professional ethics as operational guidelines to maintain public trust and uphold integrity and professionalism. Based on this, Indonesian journalists establish and adhere to the
Journalistic Code of Ethics:
Article 1
Indonesian journalists act independently, producing accurate, balanced news without ill intent.
Interpretation:
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Independent means reporting events or facts based on conscience without interference or pressure from outside parties, including media owners.
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Accurate means factually correct based on objective circumstances at the time of the event.
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Balanced means all parties have an equal opportunity to be heard.
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Without ill intent means no deliberate intent to cause harm to any party.
Article 2
Indonesian journalists use professional methods in carrying out their journalistic duties.
Interpretation:
Professional methods include:
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Identifying themselves to sources
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Respecting privacy
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Not engaging in bribery
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Producing factual news with clear sources
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Providing source information and balance for any edited or altered photos, audio, or video
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Respecting sources’ traumatic experiences when presenting visuals or audio
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Not committing plagiarism, including claiming another journalist’s work as one’s own
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Certain methods may be considered acceptable for investigative reporting in the public interest
Article 3
Indonesian journalists always verify information, report in a balanced manner, do not mix fact with judgmental opinion, and uphold the presumption of innocence.
Interpretation:
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Verify means check and recheck the truth of the information
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Balanced means giving fair space/time to all parties involved
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Judgmental opinion is a journalist’s personal opinion, distinct from interpretive opinion based on facts
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Presumption of innocence means not judging someone as guilty prematurely
Article 4
Indonesian journalists do not produce false news, slander, sadistic, or obscene content.
Interpretation:
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False means known by the journalist to be untrue before publication
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Slander is an unsubstantiated accusation made with malicious intent
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Sadistic means cruel and lacking compassion
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Obscene refers to erotic content presented solely to arouse sexual desire
Archived visuals or audio must include the date of capture.
Article 5
Indonesian journalists do not reveal or broadcast the identity of victims of sexual crimes or children involved in crimes.
Interpretation:
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Identity includes all data and information that can help others identify someone
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Child is defined as someone under 16 years old and unmarried
Article 6
Indonesian journalists do not misuse their profession and do not accept bribes.
Interpretation:
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Misuse refers to using information obtained on the job for personal gain before it becomes public knowledge
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Bribes are gifts—money, items, or facilities—from outside parties that affect journalistic independence
Article 7
Indonesian journalists have the right to protect sources who do not wish their identity or location to be revealed, and respect embargoes, background information, and off-the-record agreements.
Interpretation:
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Right to protect sources means not revealing their identity or location for their safety
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Embargo refers to delaying publication as requested by the source
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Background information can be reported without naming the source
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Off the record means information that must not be published or broadcast
Article 8
Indonesian journalists do not write or broadcast news based on prejudice or discrimination against anyone on the basis of ethnicity, race, skin color, religion, gender, or language, and do not demean the dignity of the weak, poor, sick, or those with mental or physical disabilities.
Interpretation:
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Prejudice is a negative assumption made without clear understanding
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Discrimination is unequal treatment
Article 9
Indonesian journalists respect a source’s privacy, unless it is in the public interest.
Interpretation:
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Respect means to be restrained and cautious
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Privacy includes all aspects of an individual and their family’s life that are unrelated to public interest
Article 10
Indonesian journalists must promptly retract, correct, and amend inaccurate or false reports, accompanied by an apology to readers, listeners, or viewers.
Interpretation:
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Promptly means as soon as possible, with or without external complaints
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Apology is necessary if the error relates to the core content of the report
Article 11
Indonesian journalists honor the right of reply and correction proportionally.
Interpretation:
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Right of reply is the right of an individual or group to respond or refute damaging factual news
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Right of correction is the right to fix inaccurate information
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Proportional means equal in space/time to the content being corrected
Final judgment on violations of the Journalistic Code of Ethics is handled by the Press Council.
Sanctions for code of ethics violations are imposed by journalist organizations and/or media companies.
Jakarta, Tuesday, March 14, 2006
(The Journalistic Code of Ethics was established by the Press Council under Press Council Regulation No. 6/Peraturan-DP/V/2008, endorsing Press Council Decree No. 03/SK-DP/III/2006 on the Journalistic Code of Ethics as a binding regulation.)