Freedom of opinion, expression, and the press is a human right protected by Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Press freedom is a means for the public to access information and communicate in order to meet essential needs and improve the quality of human life. In realizing this press freedom, Indonesian journalists are also aware of national interests, social responsibility, the diversity of society, and religious norms.
In carrying out their functions, rights, obligations, and roles, the press respects every individual’s human rights. Therefore, the press is required to be professional and open to public scrutiny.
To ensure press freedom and fulfill the public’s right to accurate information, Indonesian journalists need a moral and professional code of ethics as an operational guide to maintain public trust and uphold integrity and professionalism. On this basis, Indonesian journalists establish and abide by the following Journalistic Code of Ethics:
Article 1
Indonesian journalists act independently, produce accurate, balanced news, and do not act with malicious intent.
Interpretation:
- Independent means reporting events or facts according to one’s conscience without interference or coercion from others, including media owners.
- Accurate means the information is trustworthy and reflects the actual situation at the time of the event.
- Balanced means giving all parties equal opportunity.
- Without malicious intent means no deliberate intention to harm others.
Article 2
Indonesian journalists use professional methods in carrying out their journalistic duties.
Interpretation:
Professional methods include:
- Identifying themselves to sources;
- Respecting privacy rights;
- Not offering bribes;
- Producing factual news with clear sources;
- Stating the source and presenting images, photos, or sound recordings in a balanced manner;
- Respecting the traumatic experiences of sources when presenting visual/audio content;
- Not committing plagiarism, including claiming another journalist’s work as one’s own;
- Using special methods can be considered for investigative reporting in the public interest.
Article 3
Indonesian journalists verify information, report in a balanced way, do not mix facts with judgmental opinions, and apply the presumption of innocence.
Interpretation:
- Verifying information means checking and rechecking its accuracy;
- Balanced reporting means giving each side proportionate space/time;
- Judgmental opinion refers to personal opinion, which differs from interpretative opinion (journalistic interpretation of facts);
- Presumption of innocence means not assuming guilt.
Article 4
Indonesian journalists do not produce false news, slander, or content that is brutal or obscene.
Interpretation:
- False means knowingly reporting something contrary to the facts;
- Slander means baseless accusations made deliberately and maliciously;
- Brutal refers to cruel and merciless content;
- Obscene refers to erotic depictions (images, sound, or writing) solely intended to arouse lust;
- Archival audio/visual content must include the time it was recorded.
Article 5
Indonesian journalists do not reveal or broadcast the identities of sexual crime victims or children involved in crimes
Interpretation:
- Identity includes any data/information enabling others to trace the person;
- A child is defined as someone under 16 years old and not married.
Article 6
Indonesian journalists do not abuse their profession and do not accept bribes.
Interpretation:
- Abuse of profession means gaining personal benefit from information before it becomes public;
- Bribes include money, goods, or facilities that compromise independence.
Article 7
Indonesian journalists have the right to withhold a source’s identity, respect embargoes, background information, and off-the-record agreements.
Interpretation:
- Right to withhold protects the identity/location of sources for their safety;
- Embargo means delaying publication per the source’s request;
- Background information refers to details published without naming the source;
- Off the record means information not for publication.
Article 8
Indonesian journalists do not write or broadcast news based on prejudice or discrimination based on ethnicity, race, skin color, religion, gender, or language, and do not demean the dignity of the poor, sick, mentally or physically disabled.
Interpretation:
- Prejudice means negative assumptions made without clear knowledge;
- Discrimination means unequal treatment.
Article 9
Indonesian journalists respect the privacy of sources, except when it involves public interest.
Interpretation:
- Respecting privacy means being cautious and restrained;
- Private life includes all aspects unrelated to the public interest.
Article 10
Indonesian journalists promptly retract, correct, and clarify inaccurate or misleading news, accompanied by an apology to readers, listeners, or viewers.
Interpretation:
- Promptly means as soon as possible, with or without external complaints;
- Apologies are given when the error concerns essential content.
Article 11
Indonesian journalists accommodate the right of reply and correction fairly.
Interpretation:
- Right of reply is the right to respond to a damaging factual report;
- Right of correction is the right to fix incorrect information;
- Fair means proportionate to the part that needs correction.
Final assessments of violations of the Journalistic Code of Ethics are made by the Press Council. Sanctions for violations are imposed by journalist associations and/or media companies.
Jakarta, Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The Journalistic Code of Ethics was established by the Press Council through Regulation Number: 6/Peraturan-DP/V/2008 concerning the Ratification of Press Council Decree Number 03/SK-DP/III/2006 on the Journalistic Code of Ethics as a Press Council Regulation