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Press freedom critical in nation building: Minister
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For press freedom: Vice President Jusuf Kalla (fourth left) poses for a photo with UNESCO director general Irina Bokova (third left), Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy (left), Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto (second left), former Timor Leste president Jose Ramos-Horta (fourth right), House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah (third right), Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara (second right) and Indonesian Press Council chairman Yosep Adi Prasetyo during the opening ceremony of World Press Freedom Day at the Jakarta Convention Center on May 3. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
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ress freedom plays a crucial role in building a nation and Indonesia knows firsthand how it can affect the development of a nation, a minister has said.
Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara said this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebration hosted by the government had a special meaning for country, which embarked on the path to democracy in 1998.
“Through a series of political and economic disturbances, regional armed violence, natural disasters and inter-religion tensions, Indonesia has firmly embarked on the path to becoming a democratic nation. We have experienced firsthand that press freedom plays a crucial role in the development of a nation,” Rudiantara said on Thursday.
The minister was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2017 WPFD, which took place from May 1 to 4.
In the last 17 years, Rudiantara said, Indonesia had gained many positive things from press freedom. This included how the press could deliver criticism and provide room for various opinions, which could be useful for both the government and the people.
“The WPFD and the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize will continue to remind us about the need for a free press, one without fear to report information that is truthful and meaningful,” Rudiantara said.
Unanimously adopted by participants of the conference on Thursday evening, the Jakarta Declaration calls on countries to push for a free, independent and pluralistic media to advance a peaceful, just and inclusive society.
