Prioritizing Media and Journalists: Indonesia Elected as a Member of the IPDC Intergovernmental Council

Thepresidentpost.id - Paris, France – Indonesia has been elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC-IC), UNESCO's subsidiary body on the communication sector, for the 2023-2027 period at the 42nd UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France, on Thursday (16/11) local time. The day before, Indonesia was also successfully elected as a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2023-2027 period.

"Indonesia is committed to continue actively participating in dialogue and cooperation with other member countries in responding to the issues of media and technology development and the creation of communication and media policy in the UNESCO forums," said the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to France, Andorra, Monaco, and the Permanent Delegation of the Indonesian Republic to UNESCO, Mohamad Oemar. According to the Ambassador, Indonesia's election is a momentum for Indonesia to take a strategic role in navigating the media transformation and digital policy through UNESCO.

As a member of the Council, Indonesia will participate in determining policy recommendations for freedom of expression, access to information, and digital transformation to ensure that fundamental freedoms are guaranteed both online and offline, in line with international standards.

The Intergovernmental Council of the IPDC also has a crucial responsibility in overseeing the development of UNESCO's communication and information programs to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). Among its priorities are addressing media policy issues especially those related to internet transparency and media sustainability, empowering journalism education institutions, and ensuring the safety of journalists.

The strategic role of IPDC is crucial in supporting UNESCO's mission, particularly in promoting freedom of expression, pluralism, and media independence, as well as building an inclusive knowledge society by ensuring universal access to information and utilizing innovative digital technologies.

Previously, during the session of the Communication and Information Commission, the Secretary-General of the National Commission of Indonesia for UNESCO, Itje Chodidjah, stated that technology can facilitate equal access for the public in accessing information. This benefit needs to be complemented by secure access for children and ethnic communities to adapt to utilizing cyberspace. "Considering UNESCO prioritizes equality, we also advocate for policies that encourage media that is inclusive for people with disabilities," she said.

IPDC is a UNESCO executive body that develops and advises the Executive Board on global media development programs to support media pluralism and gender equality, counter hate speech, and strengthen access to information. The Board comprises 39 member countries, divided into 6 regional groups from 194 member countries.

With this election, the full composition of the IPDC Council for the period 2023-2027 is as follows: Austria, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Norway from Group I; Estonia and Ukraine from Group II; Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela from Group III; Indonesia and Thailand from Group IV; Burkina Faso, Congo, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo from Group Va; and Egypt and Yemen from Group Vb.