What's happening in PresUniv
The issue of freedom of the press became a hot topic as controversy arose regarding the Draft Amendment of Indonesian Criminal Code (RKUHP). In response to this, the Law Study Program and Communication Study Program of President University held a guest lecture entitled "Decriminalization of the Press" last Thursday (10/24).
Attended by students of the Law Study Program and Communication Study Program of President University, this guest lecture invited the Director of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) of the Press Ade Wahyudi, S.H.I. to deliver material about the rights and responsibilities of a journalist. Ade also explained the development of press rules and regulations in Indonesia so that students understand very well about regulations or laws that could protect a journalist.
“With the development of information technology nowadays, it is important to hold this guest lecture to find out how far the development of the freedom of speech in the midst of the ease to express opinions, both through social media and personal blogs," said the Head of Communication Study Program President University Dindin Dimyati, S. Sos., M.M.
In line with Dindin, the Head of Law Study Program of President University Zenny Rezania Dewantary, S.H., M.Hum. explained that through this public lecture she hoped that President University students who aspire to be legal practitioners and journalists would know the protection and legal consequences that might be encountered when working later. "Essentially, the decriminalization referred here does not mean eliminating its criminal characteristics, but reducing the use of criminal law as a weapon to punish the press," Zenny explained.
According to Zenny, there are many ways other than utilizing criminal law instruments to reprimand a journalist or media that violates the rules. "Do not easily use criminal legal instruments to criminalize the press, if the press violates the rules, it can be reported to the press council, or withdraw its publication license," Zenny said.
Additionally, Dindin also stated that this lecture is important for journalistic students so that they can defend themselves properly when one day they must be confronted with the law. (SL/APW)
Menanggapi Isu Kebebasan Pers, President University Mengadakan Kuliah Tamu Bertajuk “Dekriminalisasi Pers”
Isu kebebasan pers menjadi topik yang hangat dibicarakan seiring munculnya kontroversi mengenai Rancangan Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana (RKUHP). Menanggapi hal ini, Program Studi Hukum dan Ilmu Komunikasi President University mengadakan kuliah tamu bertajuk “Dekriminalisasi Pers” pada Kamis lalu (24/10).
Dihadiri oleh mahasiswa program studi hukum dan ilmu komunikasi, kuliah tamu ini mengundang Direktur Lembaga Bantuan Hukum (LBH) Pers Ade Wahyudi, S.H.I. untuk menyampaikan materi mengenai hak dan kewajiban seorang jurnalis. Ade juga menjelaskan perkembangan pengaturan pers di Indonesia sehingga mahasiswa mengerti betul tentang peraturan atau undang-undang yang dapat melindungi seorang jurnalis.
“Dengan perkembangan teknologi informasi saat ini, kuliah umum ini penting diadakan untuk mengetahui sejauh apa perkembangan kebebasan berpendapat di tengah mudahnya seseorang menyampaikan pendapat, baik itu melalui sosial media maupun blog pribadi,” ujar Kepala Program Studi Ilmu Komunikasi President University Dindin Dimyati, S.Sos., MM.
Senada dengan Dindin, Kepala Program Studi Hukum President University Zenny Rezania Dewantary, S.H., M.Hum. menjelaskan bahwa melalui kuliah umum ini diharapkan mahasiswa calon praktisi hukum dan jurnalis lulusan President University mengetahui perlindungan dan konsekuensi hukum yang mungkin akan dihadapi saat bekerja nanti. “Intinya, dekriminalisasi yang dimaksud di sini bukanlah menghilangkan sifat-sifat kriminalnya, tetapi mengurangi penggunaan hukum pidana sebagai senjata untuk menghukum pers,” jelas Zenny.
Menurut Zenny, masih ada banyak cara lain selain menggunakan instrumen hukum pidana untuk menegur seorang jurnalis atau media yang menyalahi aturan. “Jangan dengan mudah menggunakan instrumen hukum pidana untuk mengkriminalisasi pers, jika pers menyalahi aturan, bisa saja dilaporkan ke dewan pers, atau ditarik izin tayangnya,” ujar Zenny.
Sebagai tambahan, Dindin juga berpendapat bahwa kuliah ini penting diikuti oleh mahasiswa-mahasiswa jurnalistik agar mereka dapat membela diri mereka dengan benar saat suatu saat nanti harus diperhadapkan dengan hukum. (SL/APW)
