A declaration for a call for moral revitalization and a change in the strength of the press as a pillar of democracy and upholder of justice was signed by a number of figures immediately after the Role of the Media in Upholding Indonesian Moral Revitalization National Seminar, which was held at the Satya Wacana Christian University (SWCU) University Hall, on Wednesday (2/15).

The declaration was signed between Salatiga Mayor Yuliyanto, SE., MM; Central Java Regional Police represented by the Salatiga Deputy Chief of Police; SWCU Rector Prof. Pdt. John A. Titaley, Th.D; Chairman of the Indonesia Press Guild (PWI) Margiono; Chairman of the Satya Wacana Christian Upper Educational Foundation (YPTKSW) Pdt. Em. Joedowibowo Poerwowidagdo, PhD; and General of the Indonesia Armed Forces (TNI) (Purn) Endriartono Sutarto.
Seminar
First, a seminar was held and attended by three speakers, the SWCU Rector, General of the Indonesia Armed Forces (TNI) (Purn) Endriartono Sutarto, and Chairman of PWI Margiono, with Sasongko Tedjo as the moderator from the PWI executive board. To start the seminar, a speech was given by the keynote speaker Menkominfo Tifatul Sembiring, which was conveyed by the Ministry of Communication and Information expert staff Dr. Henry Subiakto.

In his speech, Dr. Henry Subiakto conveyed the government’s effort to develop and improve national ethic spirit by having national values as the highest values in society and the state, as well as to hold in high esteem a tolerance for diversity in the nation. Another effort is to strengthen the role of freedom of the press which is professional based on Indonesian values.

John A. Titaley mentioned that upper educational institutions have a duty to educate and produce scholars and develop insights that can perpetuate a national culture. “Therefore, an upper educational institution is the primary pillar for the continuation of a nation in the expertise and ability it possesses as the primary model,” stated John.
 
As the second speaker, TNI General (Purn) Endriartono Sutarto revealed that media, as one of the primary national components that greatly colors lives, viewpoints, national collective thinking and behavior, and alignments to national importance and the state will play significant roles in building a nation and determining the continuation of it in the future. 

“Only by doing that will this nation have enough capital, which has large potential, which for a long time has been in a deteriorating condition, will it be able to rise and take action to become a nation which is big, glorious, dignified, and prosperous,” said Endriartono Sutarto.

At the end of the seminar session, PWI Chairman Margiono stated that a survey proves society’s trust in the media to have a loud voice. The level of societal trust in the media, as stated by Margiono, must be filled with a professional and competence improvement program. “The media cannot be lax to improve its competence to conduct its role to voice aspirations,” said Margiono. This national seminar was joined by over 200 participants, who consisted of SWCU students, as well as a number of invited guests like societal figures. This event was conducted through cooperation between SWCU and the Central Java Indonesia Press Guild in remembrance of the 2012 National Press Day. (at/upk_bphl/foto:upk).