The Head of the Communication Agency (Bakom) of the Republic of Indonesia, M. Qodari, appeared as the key guest on the PWI CHANNEL podcast, held at the PWI headquarters.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA — The Head of the Communication Agency (Bakom) of the Republic of Indonesia, M. Qodari, appeared as the keynote guest on the PWI CHANNEL podcast. The session was held at the PWI Central Headquarters—located on the 4th floor of the Press Council Building in Central Jakarta—on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 19:00 WIB.

M. Qodari was welcomed personally by the Chairman of PWI Central, Akhmad Munir, who was accompanied by several PWI Central board members.

The interactive discussion was moderated by Dede Apriyadi, a senior journalist and member of the PWI podcast team.

During the podcast, M. Qodari outlined various national strategic issues concerning mass media dynamics and public communication governance in the digital era.

A key topic of discussion was the proposed policy offering tax relief for mainstream media outlets.

He argued that this measure warrants discussion and proposal to the relevant ministries to ensure the sustainability of the national press industry amidst the fierce competition of the digital age.

Furthermore, the discussion highlighted the importance of governance and regulatory balance within the digital space. Mainstream media—which is strictly bound by journalistic codes of ethics—needs to be viewed alongside the social media ecosystem, which tends to be unregulated. This comparison aims to foster an information environment that is healthy, constructive, and responsible for the public.

“Social media has become largely unregulated, whereas mainstream media is bound by ethics. Therefore, we must collectively discuss how to regulate social media content—involving PWI, other press organizations, and the House of Representatives (DPR)—to ensure alignment,” said M. Qodari.

Responding to these dynamics, Akhmad Munir expressed appreciation for the presence and openness of the Head of Bakom RI in engaging in direct dialogue with members of the press via the PWI podcast platform.

He noted that collaboration and fluid communication between the government and press organizations serve as a crucial foundation for building a credible public information ecosystem. “The visit by the Head of Bakom RI to the PWI headquarters demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to continuously listening to the aspirations of the press community. PWI certainly welcomes any productive collaborative efforts, including attention to the sustainability of the mass media industry,” said Akhmad Munir.

He added that the national press stands ready to play a strategic role as a bridge for objective information between government policies and public needs—particularly in overseeing national development programs and during emergency situations, such as natural disasters.

M. Qodari reiterated that the support and synergy established between the government and media institutions do not constitute intervention or attempts to dictate editorial operations; rather, they represent an equal, strategic partnership. Bakom RI is committed to remaining at the forefront of ensuring that the flow of public information is accurate, transparent, and accountable.

“Government assistance or support for the media is not intended to exert control, but is instead part of a harmonious synergy between the government and the media,” stated M. Qodari.

Concluding the podcast session, the discussion also touched upon the evaluation of government programs based on public survey results. The government views such data and survey findings objectively as constructive input to optimize the effectiveness of development programs, ensuring that their benefits are tangibly and deeply felt by the general public. (Bembo)