By : Drs. Hairuzaman.
(Press Practitioner, Book Author and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tabloid VISUAL Jakarta)
Until now, there are still many parties who do not understand the Right of Reply as enshrined in the Journalistic Code of Ethics (KEJI) and Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press. So the author needs to review what is meant by the right of reply
The right of responsibility is the duty and role of the National Press in fulfilling the rights of the public regarding media coverage. .These rights include, among others, the public’s right to know, supervise, criticize, correct and advise on matters relating to the public interest and express freedom of the press. The following is a complete Guide to Right of Reply.
Right of Reply Guidelines
Press freedom is a manifestation of popular sovereignty based on the principles of democracy, justice, the rule of law, and human rights. Press freedom needs to be utilized as much as possible for the benefit of the community, nation and state.
The implementation of Press Freedom can be realized by an independent, professional press that adheres to the principles, functions, rights, obligations, and roles in accordance with Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, as well as the Journalistic Code of Ethics (KEJ).
In carrying out its roles and functions, the press is obligated to provide proportional access to the public to participate in maintaining the freedom of the press and respecting the community’s right of reply. Therefore, this Right of Reply Guidelines have been prepared:
The right to reply is the right of a person, group of people, organization or legal entity to respond to and refute news or journalistic work that violates the Journalistic Code of Ethics, especially errors and inaccuracies in facts, which harm the good name of the press that publishes it.
The right to answer is based on justice, public interest, proportionality and professionalism. The press is obliged to serve every right of reply. The functions of the right of reply are:
a. Fulfilling the public’s right to obtain accurate information;
b. .respect the dignity and honor of people who feel aggrieved as a result of press reporting;
c. Prevent or reduce the emergence of greater harm to society and the press;
d. The form of public supervision of the press.
Purpose of Right of Reply to :
a. .fulfill fair and balanced reporting or journalistic work;
b. Carry out the responsibility of the press to the public;
c. Resolve press reporting disputes;
d. Realizing the good faith of the press.
The Right of Reply contains rebuttals and responses from the aggrieved party.
.The right of reply shall be submitted directly to the press concerned, with a copy to the Press Council.
In the case of groups of people, organizations or legal entities, the Right of Reply shall be submitted by the competent authority and/or in accordance with the statutes of the organization, or the legal entity concerned.
The submission of the Right of Reply shall be made in writing (including digitally) and addressed to the person in charge of the press concerned or submit it directly to the editor by showing his/her identity.
The party who submits the Right of Reply is obliged to notify the information that is considered detrimental to him either part by part or in whole with supporting data.
Right of Answer service is free of charge. The press may reject the contents of the Right of Reply if:
a. .the length/duration/number of characters of the Right of Answer material exceeds the reporting or journalistic work in question;
b. Contains facts that are not related to the reporting or journalistic work in question;
c. Its loading may result in a violation of the law;
d. .contrary to the interests of third parties which must be legally protected.
Right of Reply is carried out proportionally:
a. .the right of Reply to news or journalistic works that are erroneous and inaccurate, carried out either in part or in whole of the information in question;
b. .the right of Reply is served at the same place or program as the reporting or journalistic work in question, unless otherwise agreed by the parties;
c. .the right of Reply with the consent of the parties may be served in the format of corrections, interviews, profiles, features, coverage, talk shows, running messages, cyber media comments, or other formats but not in advertising formats;
d. .the implementation of the Right of Reply must be carried out in the shortest possible time, or at the first opportunity in accordance with the nature of the press in question:
1) For the printed press, it is obligatory to include the Right of Reply in the next edition or at the latest in two editions since the Right of Reply is received by the editor.
.2) For television and radio press, it is obligatory to include the Right of Reply in the next program.
e. The right of reply is loaded once for each news report;
f. In the event that there are errors and inaccuracies of judgmental facts, slander and/or lies, the press must apologize.
The press has the right to edit the Right of Reply in accordance with the principles of reporting or journalistic work, but may not change the substance or meaning of the Right of Reply proposed.
The responsibility for the content of the Right of Reply lies with the person in charge of the press who publishes it.
The right of reply is no longer valid if after 2 (two) months since the news or journalistic work is published the aggrieved party does not apply for the right of reply, except by agreement of the parties.
Disputes regarding the exercise of the Right of Reply are resolved by the Press Council. .so please use the Right of Reply if there are parties who do not understand the content of the news or a journalistic work. Because this is in accordance with Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press and KEJ as the guidelines for journalists in carrying out their daily journalism duties. **
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