Dean of FDIKOM UIN Jakarta Highlights the Urgency of Revising Public Information Transparency and Broadcasting Laws

Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN News Online - "The dynamics of public information need to be improved together because information is the lifeblood of democracy," said Dr. Gun Gun Heryanto, M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Dakwah and Communication Sciences. He made this statement during the national seminar titled “Public Information Transparency and Media Broadcasting Democracy in Indonesia,” held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the Harun Nasution Auditorium.

Dr. Gun Gun expressed his gratitude to several distinguished guests, including the Chairman of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), Ubaidillah, S.Sos., M.Pd., the Chairman of the Jakarta Information Commission, Harry Ara Hutabarat, S.H., M.H., senior journalist and former Chief Editor of MNCTV, Latief Siregar, FDIKOM lecturer Dr. Ismail Cawidu, M.Si., and the Deputy Chairman of the Jakarta Information Commission, H. Luqman Hakim Arifin, S.Fil.

In his remarks, Dr. Gun Gun emphasized two important points. First, the seminar resulted from a collaboration between FDIKOM UIN Jakarta, KPI, and the Jakarta Information Commission. This collaboration involved sharing budgets and organizing committees as part of implementing the MoU between FDIKOM UIN Jakarta and KPI last year, which included various activities for information dissemination and studies.

Dr. Gun Gun noted the importance of the seminar's topics, especially given that two laws, the Public Information Transparency Law and the Broadcasting Law, are currently under public debate. The Public Information Transparency Law deserves input and revision due to the various dynamics that have occurred since its discussion in Parliament began in 1999, its discussion in Parliament in 2005, and its enactment in 2008.

Similarly, the Broadcasting Law, which was enacted in 2002, needs revision. As the media industry evolves, and audience markets and role models change, it is essential to consider substantive dimensions within the Broadcasting Law related to the digital world.

For instance, broadcasting institutions have experienced convergence, particularly in digital media, necessitating relevant regulations. The law still requires evaluation regarding media industry governance, including media conglomeration and its derivatives.

"Our two sessions today discuss different topics but share a common frequency: information and broadcasting," he said.

Moreover, Dr. Gun Gun emphasized that both discussions have a common thread, which is the most fundamental aspect of democracy: freedom of information. "Therefore, media industry governance must be regulated in the context of reputation, industry implementation, and academic understanding," he concluded.

(Muhammad Naufal Waliyyuddin, Noeni Indah Sulistiyani/ Photo: Indra Aldiansyah)