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Indonesia’s press has become a strong and influential fourth pillar of democracy, Chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I Mahfudz Sidik said in Jakarta on Thursday.

“It is marked by a booming mass media, such as the printed, electronic or online media, in line with information technology developments and media convergence,” Mahfudz said in an e-mail.

Mahfudz, citing various surveys, noted that the power of the press and media are also characterized by the influence on public opinion and behavior.

“In the midst of its strength, there are several critical things that need to be managed appropriately by the national press in the context of character development and national interest,” he said.

Mahfudz also outlined critical areas that he said must be managed properly.

Mahfudz believes the press and media are being “liberalized,” which he said can destroy the press’s values, system and institutions in both the state and society if not managed properly.

“In this context, the principle of responsibility and the active role of the press and the media in building the public’s collective consciousness, which can result into positive behaviors and attitudes, is very important,” he said.

Besides, editorial policy and content, the media should be framed within a positive national interest, Mahfouz said. According to the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), data on the amount of media content finds that programming can actually stimulate negative trends in the community.

“For example, violence, pornography, and behavioral conflicts still strongly adorn our mass media content,” he said.

Mahfouz also observed the emergence of oligarchic ownership of media, a phenomenon that, if it followed political  interests, could potentially disrupt the democratic order and interfere with the independence of the press.

The law already regulates the “diversity of ownership” principle, Mahfudz said, but often there is a gap in the concentration of ownership.

Mahfudz also added that the booming mass media industry has not been followed by the fulfillment of journalism with competent and capable human resources.

“But his condition should not be responded to negatively to initiate regulations that could restrict the press and media, as in the past,” he said.

Mahfud suggested that the managers and practitioners of the press and media must create positive initiatives to continue consolidating its institutions, so that it may become a positive and constructive pillar of democracy in Indonesia.

Antara