Freedom of opinion, expression, and the press are human rights protected by Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Freedom of the press is a means for the public to obtain information and communicate, in order to fulfill basic needs and improve the quality of human life.
In realizing freedom of the press, Indonesian journalists are also aware of the interests of the nation, social responsibility, diversity of society, and religious norms.
In carrying out its functions, rights, obligations and roles, the press respects the human rights of every person, therefore the press is required to be professional and open to control by the public.
To guarantee freedom of the press and fulfill the public’s right to obtain correct information, Indonesian journalists need a moral foundation and professional ethics as operational guidelines in maintaining public trust and upholding integrity and professionalism.