PERANAN WARTAWAN KOTA TANJUNGBALAI DALAM MELINDUNGI KEBEBASAN PERS (STUDI DI KANTOR BAGIAN HUMAS KOTA TANJUNGBALAI)

Abstract

The results of this study are: (1). The position of the Press Council as an independent institution still has an inadequate function in carrying out its role to protect press freedom. In Law no. 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, the Press Council is merely the guardian of the life of the press. Its function is only as a mediator for press disputes, an assessor of press organizations, and a guardian of journalistic ethical values. The Press Council cannot go further in tackling violations of the principle of freedom of the press, particularly those committed by press companies; (2). In order to reinstate the Press Council in its position as an independent state institution that functions to protect press freedom, institutional restructuring is necessary. The membership of the Press Council, which has been dominated by press organizations, needs to be balanced by increasing the representation of elements of society and experts. Proposing or selecting these elements must also be the matter of the community itself, for example through media monitoring organizations.

Key words: Journalist, Tanjungbalai City, Press Freedom.