Margiono Goes to Pilkada, Plt Chairman of PWI: That is Proof of Community Trust

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - Executor of the task (Plt) Chairman of the Central PWI, Sasongko Tedjo admitted proud members advanced in the election of regional heads. According to him, it is a proof of public confidence.

"Journalists are considered qualified and credible to be nominated as regional head," said Sasongko after meeting the Chairman of the Central PWI inactive, Margiono in Tulungagung, Tuesday (13/2/2018) morning.

Margiono advanced in local elections in Tulungagung. According Sasongko, already many journalists PWI members who managed to become regents / mayors such as Rizal Efendi Mayor of Balikpapan, Abdul Cholik Regent Wonosobo and Arief Afandi Vice Mayor of Surabaya.

Furthermore, in the level of politics and government at the national level such as a minister or chairman of a state high institution.

However, PWI as a professional organization should not be involved in any political contestation. Those who participated in the elections were asked to be disabled or resigned to maintain the neutrality and organizational marwah.

Since the PWI Congress in Semarang in 1998, PWI must keep a distance with any political forces as stipulated in the Articles of Association and the Journalistic Code of Ethics.

Especially for the pilkada affirmed again in Konkernas PWI in Bengkulu last year. This also applies to the board or member who becomes the candidate's successful team in the election. "So about the neutrality of PWI is imperative and no doubt", he said.

Nevertheless, the public must be aware of journalists and the press in general cannot be 100% neutral. There must be a tendency or bias to. And it also happens in any country. As long as it remains in favor of the public interest and does not violate the code of ethics in writing it is still acceptable. "The important thing is not being co-opted or bought," Sasongko said. (rls)