West Java DPRD: Journalists Must Uphold Credibility and Integrity

Yomanius Untung, Chairman of Commission V of the West Java Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), emphasized that credibility and integrity are fundamental pillars for every journalist in carrying out their profession, serving as crucial capital to maintain public trust in the press. He stated that journalists who lose credibility and integrity not only damage their personal reputation but also erode public confidence in the press as a whole. The credibility of journalists is built upon three main aspects: formal, normative, and social. Formally, journalists must possess a Journalist Competency Test (UKW) certificate, work for a legitimate press company, and comply with Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. Normatively, they are required to uphold accuracy, independence, and balance, and perform their duties in good faith, free from specific interests. Socially, journalists must be able to maintain public trust through responsible journalistic work and professional behavior, including their conduct on social media. In practice, Untung stressed that all information must be verified before publication and confirmed by at least two independent sources. Granting the right to reply, transparency in the use of anonymous sources, and applying the principle of covering both sides are integral parts of journalistic ethics that must not be overlooked. He further highlighted that the press is the fourth pillar of democracy, making credibility and integrity not just an option but a professional obligation. Integrity, he explained, distinguishes professional journalists from mere information disseminators, reflected through honesty in presenting facts, independence from conflicts of interest, efforts to minimize negative impacts on vulnerable groups, and accountability for published work. Untung also urged journalists to reject all forms of gratification and maintain professional independence, cautioning that the culture of accepting "envelopes" from sources and hiding conflicts of interest poses a serious threat to the press's credibility. He added that a journalist's behavior on social media also reflects their professionalism and can influence public trust in the media.