REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Press Council has delivered the results of the assessment and recommendations on the contents of the Indonesia Barokah tabloid to the police and Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu). The Council found that the tabloid did not contain black campaigns.

Chairman of Press Council Yosep Adi Prasetyo said Indonesia Barokah was not a product of journalism as referred to in the Press Law. The Council will hold a plenary session to decide on its search results for the Indonesia Barokah tabloid.

"We have found that this tabloid is not a product of the press, but we still have to decide in the form of opinions, judgments, and recommendations." Yosep said when contacted by reporters on Monday (Jan 28).

The Press Council made the conclusion after reviewing some aspects. Firstly, the address of the editorial office was not found and did not match the location listed in the tabloid.

"Secondly, the names of the journalists are not available in the Press Council's database. Moreover, the person in charge should have high competence in terms of journalism, which has participated in the journalist competency test (UKW)," he said.

Thirdly, in terms of content, there were some parts of the tabloid cornering certain presidential and vice-presidential pairs. According to him, the contents were indeed not a black campaign, but most of the news were recycled from news from other media.

The results of these assessments and recommendations will be submitted to the police, Bawaslu (Election Supervisory Body), and those who reported Indonesia Barokah to the Press Council. According to Yosep, the three parties could later follow up on their recommendations.

"Later the police and Bawaslu take action in accordance with their authority. In essence, we conclude that it's not a journalistic product," he said.

Yosep also appealed to the public to use mainstream media as reference to check provocative news. According to him, the public must look for references to credible and trusted media.

Indonesia Barokah tabloid.

"Meanwhile, the media must shift the focus now to the public needs of election. In addition, they must also focus on legislative elections (pileg). Don't let the news focus only on the presidential election. People's representatives are also important and can not be ignored," he added.

Previously, Bawaslu's member Fritz Edward Siregar noticed that Indonesia Barokah tabloid were sent directly to residents' homes. He also revealed that the tabloid had spreaded massively in Yogyakarta.

This fact was revealed by Fritz to reporters during a discussion at Gondangdia, in Central Jakarta, on Saturday (Jan 26). He said that the spread of the Indonesia Barokah tabloid was not only in mosques and islamic boarding schools.

"In fact, many residents accept that the tabloids were sent through the post office. So, from the post office they were sent to other places, including residents' houses," said Fritz.

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