REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG -- The Press Council will issue a circular banning regional governments across Indonesia from giving holiday allowances to journalists or publishing companies. The circular will be issued immediately.

"Ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan 2018, we will issue a circular to the regional governments to warn them against giving holiday allowances to journalists," Chief of the Press Council Yosep Adi Prasetyo noted here on Tuesday.

The ban is aimed at avoiding cases of swindling involving those claiming to be journalists, he pointed out.

"Usually regional governments are busy catering to the requests of irresponsible journalists ahead of the post-fasting month festivities or Lebaran. Of course, this is a dilemma," he noted.

The ban is based on professionalism, morals, and ethics to maintain public confidence in the national press and uphold the integrity and noble values of the profession of journalism, he remarked.

In addition, the ban is intended to support efforts to eradicate corruption, he emphasized.

"Of course, we will not let the disgraceful practice continue," he stated.

According to Prasetyo, the press or journalists must always uphold their independence and must not be influenced by the disgraceful practice in conducting their duties.

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