GEPLAK Officially Established in Indramayu, With the Slogan “When We Are Silenced, Let the Pen Speak”
Indramayu– Jaya News.com – Efforts to strengthen the dignity of local journalism continue in Indramayu Regency. The Straight, Accurate, and Critical Press Movement (GEPLAK) was officially declared as a collective forum for local journalists committed to promoting a professional, integrated press that promotes the welfare of journalists.
The GEPLAK declaration took place on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Sinar Pagi Jaya Office, Graha Arta Sindang Housing Complex, Indramayu, and was attended by journalists from various local and national media outlets. The movement’s establishment is a response to challenges facing the regional press, particularly issues of journalist welfare and the rise of ad hoc press practices deemed to undermine journalistic ethics.
GEPLAK’s initiator, Ali Zaidan, stated that GEPLAK was born out of deep concern for the conditions of local journalists, who are often in a vulnerable position, both economically and professionally. This situation, he said, often leads to unhealthy reporting practices and has the potential to undermine public trust in the press.
Ali emphasized that GEPLAK exists as a consolidation space to build an independent and competitive press ecosystem. The main focus of this movement is improving the welfare of journalists through ongoing training programs, advocacy for professional rights, and strengthening collaborative networks among journalists.
In terms of vision, GEPLAK aims to create a local press that is independent and imbued with integrity. This vision is outlined in six strategic missions, with upholding the principles of honest, accurate, and critical journalism as its main foundation.
Other missions include strengthening professional ethics, fighting for journalist welfare, eradicating ad hoc press practices, developing press human resource capacity, and expanding cooperation with national media.
The GEPLAK declaration received a positive response from the journalists in attendance. One participant stated that GEPLAK’s presence is expected to be a turning point in improving the image of the local press. He believed it was time for Indramayu journalists to have a forum focused on improving the quality and solidarity of the profession.
Going forward, GEPLAK plans several concrete steps, including holding journalistic ethics workshops, public discussions, and opening a complaint channel for journalist welfare, which is scheduled to begin next month.
With a collective spirit and commitment to professionalism, GEPLAK is expected to be a driving force for change for the local press in Indramayu and serve as an example for other regions in West Java in facing the challenges of the increasingly competitive digital era.**
(Wari)
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