Building Relationships and Cooperation with Media

Principles of Managing Media Relations

Bawaslu and Mass Media cannot be separated from one another, both parties need each other, benefit from each other, have positive and sustainable synergies. Bawaslu is a source of information for the media, and vice versa, Mass Media is a means of publicity so that public trust increases.

In building relationships and cooperation with mass media, public relations Bawaslu, Provincial Bawaslu, and Regency/Municipal Bawaslu use the following principles:

1. understand and serve the Mass Media, be able to establish cooperation with the Mass Media, and create mutually beneficial relationships;

2. build a good image and reputation;

3. provide good, accurate, precise, and clear information, including copies of speeches/official remarks, policy documents, and photo reproductions;

4. documenting and archiving agency information;

5. cooperate in preparing interviews or press meetings with officials or leaders of Bawaslu, Provincial Bawaslu, and/or Regency/City Bawaslu;

6. give journalists the opportunity to prove the truth (verification);

7. build strong and positive personal relationships; and

8. build and maintain openness, honesty, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Some things that must be considered in building relationships and cooperation with the Mass Media are as follows:

1. Information to be submitted to the public must be through an appointed official and/or implement a one-stop-shop policy within the Bawaslu Public Relations work unit, Provincial Bawaslu Public Relations, and Regency/Municipal Bawaslu Public Relations;

2. Mass Media relations need to be built and maintained so that they are quality and sustainable;

3. the delivery of information needs to be delivered quickly, precisely, accurately, and affordably;

4. various opportunities and programs are used to establish Mass Media Relations; and

5. creation of mutually beneficial, open, transparent, and consistent relationships.

Ethics of Mass Media Relations

In managing the relationship between Mass Media, Public Relations of Bawaslu, Provincial Bawaslu, and Regency/City Bawaslu, the following ethics must be observed:

1. uphold the honor of institutions and the media;

2. prioritizing competence, objectivity, honesty, maintaining integrity, and norms of expertise;

3. uphold state secrets, oath of office, and must consider and heed the applicable ethics;

4. respect the code of ethics and code of conduct for state civil servants, code of ethics and behavioral guidelines for election organizers, and journalistic code of ethics;

5. convey and receive true, precise and accurate public information;

6. appreciate, respect, and foster solidarity and the good name of the institution; and

7. implement public information disclosure in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.

Types of Mass Media

The types of mass media used as a reference in building relationships and cooperation with mass media are as follows:

1. Print Mass Media, which includes newspapers, magazines and other print media;

2. Electronic Broadcasting Mass Media, which includes broadcast radio, broadcast television, and other electronic broadcasting media;

3. Online Mass Media/Online Media, namely news portals, social media, and official websites (websites), as well as other Online Mass Media/Online Media.

Mass Media Relations Manager

The relationship between Bawaslu and the Mass Media is managed technically by the work unit that carries out the public relations function. Mass Media Relations Manager consists of:

1. Trustees, namely the Chair and Members of Bawaslu, Provincial Bawaslu, and Regency/Municipal Bawaslu, as well as leaders of work units according to their respective levels.

2. Responsible Persons, namely high pratama leadership officials (echelon II officials) at Bawaslu, administrator officials (echelon III officials) at Provincial Bawaslu, and supervisory officials (echelon IV officials) at Regency/City Bawaslu in charge of public relations who are responsible for formulating and implement Mass Media Relations management policies.

3. Coordinators, namely functional officials in charge of public relations at Bawaslu and Provincial Bawaslu, and supervisory officials (echelon IV officials) at Regency/Municipal Bawaslu in charge of public relations who are responsible for coordinating the management of Mass Media relations according to the plan.

4. Public relations technical implementers, namely functional officials in the field of public relations and implementers (staff) who support the technical implementation of all stages of public relations and mass media management.

The Manager of Mass Media Relations as referred to above is determined by a Decree of the Chairperson of Bawaslu, a Decree of the Chairperson of the Provincial Bawaslu, and a Decree of the Chairperson of the Regency/Municipal Bawaslu in accordance with their level and working area.

In implementing the policies and technical management of Mass Media Relations, the person in charge, coordinator, and technical implementer of public relations is located under the coordination of the members of Bawaslu, Provincial Bawaslu, and Regency/City Bawaslu (coordinator of the division in charge of PR and Mass Media) according to their level.

Facilities and Infrastructure

In supporting the implementation of Mass Media Relations management, the Secretary General of Bawaslu, the Head of the Provincial Bawaslu Secretariat, and the Head of the Regency/City Bawaslu Secretariat provide facilities and infrastructure that can support the effectiveness of the implementation of Mass Media Relations management. Facilities in the form of computers for writing releases and media center rooms, and/or rooms that can be used to receive visits from the Mass Media, and infrastructure in the form of good and adequate electricity and internet networks, as well as other infrastructure.