Journalists play their role in reporting news in various media. From print media (like newspaper, tabloids, etc), television, radio to now, online media such as websites or social media. This role has many functions and benefits. Distributed news will provide knowledge and help you understand the current situation. Including the role of journalists is a special autonomy in relation to Papua. The role of journalists is often to provide a written assessment or evaluation. However, the most important role of journalists in the Papuan Special Autonomy Law is to provide information and disseminate it about Papua so that it is accessible.
A journalist’s point of view does not always have to be subjective. Because objectivity is also needed to create balanced accountability. Because of Papua’s special autonomy, reporting is needed so that people understand and understand how Papua’s latest welfare rules work. In fact, the role of journalists is to educate the public about the rights of Papuans based on their special right to self-determination. Journalists encourage society to exercise collective social control in various ways. It can be said that the participation of journalists is the participation of society. Especially if the reporter is a Papuan journalist.
The government, as the creator and implementer of the Papuan Special Autonomy Law, also requires an assessment. In addition to the role of social control, journalists can also play a role of control. In fact, there is already an agency tasked with overseeing the government. However, journalists can provide an evaluative perspective from the perspective of communities directly affected by existing laws. Authorities in the Papua region agree and even consider the criticism of community journalists to be very useful. Government and journalists have mutually sustainable mutual benefits.
Of course, the freedom of opinion protected by law is one of the reasons why journalists can express their opinions in the form of reports – from evaluations, criticisms to proposals for the introduction of a special autonomy in the territory of Papua. This is in line with the implementation of the Special Autonomy Law, which aims to maximize the benefit of Papuans. New journalists are beginning to emerge from the ranks of Papuans who have acquired a higher level education and are exercising a distinct independence in the field of education.
Criticism of journalists is not a form of hostility towards the authorities in the Papua region. In effect, public participation shows how criticism emerges from public anxiety that demands a government solution. Journalists are said to mediate the Papuan problem so that the government can solve it.
In the future, journalists will play an important role in establishing a special autonomy for Papua. Of course, journalists have a monitoring and social control role that can connect the Papuan provincial government with the Papuan people. So, during the implementation of this law, all parties feel supported and can jointly achieve the desired goals.
