Legal Protection and Awareness of Journalist’s Code of Ethics in The City of Palu, Central Sulawesi Province
- October 13, 2021
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Law, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue IX, September 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Rahmat Bakri, Awaluddin, Widyatmi Anandi
Lecturer on Faculty of Law, Tadulako University
Abstract: The national press has a strategic role as a vehicle for mass communication, disseminating information, and forming opinions. Given the role of the press, the press must obtain legal protection guarantees, and be free from interference and coercion from anywhere. The guarantee of freedom and independence of the press is a concrete manifestation of the fulfillment of the right to public information, which is guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution and supports the professionalism of press actors in carrying out their journalistic duties. An independent press will be created if journalists are protected in carrying out their roles as holders of a public mandate to obtain information. The information produced by journalists will only contribute to the benefit of the public if in carrying out their duties, a journalist obeys the journalistic code of ethics.
Keywords: legal protection, code of ethics, press
I. INTRODUCTION
There is no doubt that a free and independent press is very important in a democracy. The press is even positioned as the fourth pillar of democracy . Its presence is aligned with the executive, legislative, and judicial institutions known as the trias politica a la Jhon Locke and Mostesquieu. The uniqueness of the press from the trias politica institution is its position outside the standard structure of power so that it is more free and flexible in playing its role.
The enactment of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press strengthened the existence of the national press to play an important role in fulfilling the public’s right to information as an instrument for developing public opinion, participation, and upholding democracy. By conveying information appropriately, accurately, and correctly, the press is expected to help uphold justice and truth, carry out supervision, correction, and suggestions for the public interest, and realize the supremacy of law and order.
Amartya Sen (Nobel winner) stated that there has never been a substantial hunger in a democracy with a relatively free press. Through the press, the public can find out various information. Meanwhile, according to Andrew Puddephatt, information is oxygen for democracy. With the mediation of the press, government affairs are disseminated to
