Right of Reply Guidelines

Right of Reply Guidelines

Freedom of the press is a manifestation of people’s sovereignty based on the principles of democracy, justice, supremacy of law and human rights. Press freedom needs to be utilized as much as possible for the benefit of society, nation and state.

The implementation of press freedom can be realized by a press that is independent, professional, and 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.

In carrying out its role and function, the press is obliged to provide proportional access to the public to participate in maintaining press freedom and respecting the public’s Right of Reply. To that end, these Right of Reply Guidelines have been prepared:

  1. The Right of Reply is the right of a person, group of people, organization or legal entity to respond to and refute news or journalistic works that violate the Journalistic Code of Ethics, especially errors and inaccuracies in facts, which are detrimental to the good name of the publishing press.
  2. The right of reply is based on justice, public interest, proportionality and professionalism.
  3. The press is obliged to serve every Right of Reply.
  4. The function of the Right of Reply is:
    1. Fulfilling the public’s right to obtain accurate information.
    2. Respect the dignity and honor of people who feel disadvantaged by press coverage.
    3. Prevent or reduce the emergence of greater losses for society and the press.
    4. Forms of public oversight of the press.
  5. The purpose of the Right of Reply is to:
    1. Fulfilling fair and balanced reporting or journalistic work.
    2. Carrying out the press’s responsibility to the public.
    3. Resolving press reporting disputes. Ensuring goodwill in the press.
  6. The Right of Reply contains objections and responses from the injured party.
  7. The Right of Reply is submitted directly to the press concerned, with a copy to the Press Council.
  8. In the case of a group of people, organization or legal entity, the Right of Reply is submitted by the authorized party and/or in accordance with the statutes of the organization or legal entity concerned.
  9. Submission of the Right of Reply must be made in writing (including digitally) and addressed to the person in charge of the press concerned or submitted directly to the editor by showing personal identification.
  10. The party submitting the Right of Reply is obliged to provide information that is considered detrimental to him, either part by part or as a whole, with supporting data.
  11. The Right of Reply service is free of charge.
  12. The press may reject the contents of the Right of Reply if:
    1. The length/duration/number of characters of the Right of Reply material exceeds the news or journalistic work in question.
    2. Contains facts that are not related to the news or journalistic work in question.
    3. Its loading may result in a violation of the law.
    4. Contrary to the interests of third parties which must be legally protected.
  13. The right of reply is exercised proportionally:
    1. The right to respond to news or journalistic works that are incorrect or inaccurate can be done either part by part or as a whole regarding the information in question.
    2. The Right of Reply is served in the same place or program as the news or journalistic work in question, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
    3. The Right of Reply, with the agreement of the parties, can 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 format.
    4. The exercise of the Right of Reply must be carried out as soon as possible, or at the first opportunity according to the nature of the press concerned:
      1. For print media, it is mandatory to include the Right of Reply in the next edition or at the latest in two editions since the Right of Reply was received by the editors.
      2. For television and radio press, it is mandatory to include the Right of Reply in the next program.
    5. The Right of Reply is loaded once for each news report.
    6. In the event of errors and inaccuracies in facts that are judgmental, slanderous and/or lies, the press is obliged to apologize.
  14. 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 submitted.
  15. Responsibility for the content of the Right of Reply lies with the person in charge of the press that publishes it.
  16. The Right of Reply is no longer valid if after 2 (two) months since the news or journalistic work was published the injured party does not submit a Right of Reply, except by agreement of the parties.
  17. Disputes regarding the implementation of the Right of Reply are resolved by the Press Council.

According to Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press, press that do not provide the Right of Reply, apart from violating the Journalistic Code of Ethics, can also be subject to criminal sanctions in the form of a maximum fine of IDR 500,000,000.00 (Five hundred million rupiah).

Jakarta, October 29, 2008

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Pinang Mas Residance Ruko Complex Blok A no. 3A
Jl. RH Fisabilillah Batu 8 Atas Tanjungpinang Riau Islands 29125

Email:  hariankepri@yahoo.com

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