Monday, 10 March 2026—President University continued its engagement at the Forum Silaturahmi Ramadan Bersama Insan Media, held at Gedung Dewan Pers, Jl. Kebon Sirih, Jakarta. The session featured Totok Suryanto, Vice-Chairperson of the Press Council, as one of the key speakers.

In his remarks, Totok addressed the current challenges faced by the press, stating that the condition of journalism today is increasingly difficult. He revisited the fundamental functions of the press, namely information, education, entertainment, and social control, while noting that these roles have begun to shift away from their original purpose.

He explained that the idealism of journalism is gradually being replaced by practices closer to public relations. According to him, the press should critically observe and identify what needs to be examined and questioned, while public relations tends to highlight strengths and conceal weaknesses.

Totok also pointed out the limitations faced by many journalists, particularly in language proficiency. He stressed the importance of English in accessing broader and more credible sources, stating, “Not many journalists are proficient in English, and this has become one of the weaknesses of the press today. Journalists must continuously develop themselves,” emphasizing that language skills are essential for staying relevant in an increasingly global and fast-evolving media landscape.