Andi Adam Faturahman, Jakarta – Indonesian Press Council Chairperson Ninik Rahayu believes that President Prabowo Subianto's interview with seven journalists from seven different media outlets has limited the information accessible to the public.
"Information should be given to anyone. There should be no limitations," Ninik said during a visit to the Tempo office in Palmerah, Jakarta, on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Ninik Rahayu stated that the flow of information from stakeholders to the public should not be restricted to only inviting a handful of media outlets.
She explained that information obtained from stakeholders, especially the head of state, should be accessible to a wider range of media, not limited to a few outlets.
Ninik emphasized that the opportunity for in-depth exploration and development in an interview is not justifiable if only certain media are invited.
"The President must offer a mechanism to open up access as widely as possible, including to media in the regions," she said.
Furthermore, according to Ninik, each media outlet has different ways of perceiving contexts and managing issues before presenting them in reports.
She urged Prabowo not to continue this pattern of interviews. Other media could be copied from it, especially regional ones. "The media does not need invitations; their access should be open, not restricted," Ninik said.
On Sunday, April 6, Prabowo invited seven journalists from different media outlets to his residence in Hambalang, Bogor Regency, West Java.
The seven invited journalists included Detikcom Chief Editor (Pemred) Alfito Deannova Gintings; TVOne Pemred Lalu Mara Satriawangsa; IDN Times Pemred Uni Lubis.
Additionally, Kompas Daily Pemred Sutta Dharmasaputra; SCTV-Indosiar Pemred Retno Pinasti; Narasi Founder Najwa Shihab, and TVRI News Anchor Valerina Daniel served as the moderators.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communication Office Head Hasan Nasbi has not responded to Tempo's inquiry regarding the Press Council's statement that the flow of information was restricted by inviting only a few media outlets to Prabowo's residence.
As of the publication of this report, the message sent via WhatsApp only shows two grey checkmarks, indicating that it has been delivered.