By Giostanovlatto, Writer at Hey Bali
DENPASAR, BALI – July 18, 2025 — In an age where media controversies often make more noise than impact, the Indonesian Online Journalists Association (IWO) Bali has taken a different path: quiet diplomacy. Instead of protests or viral headlines, the organization is fostering dialogue—one meeting at a time—with key figures in Bali's military, prosecution, and immigration sectors.
This week, IWO Bali launched a series of strategic courtesy visits to the regional leadership body (Forkopimda), aiming to rebuild trust and promote ethical standards in digital journalism. The meetings are part of a broader initiative to raise the bar for online media professionals in Bali—many of whom are often seen as lacking formal training or adherence to journalistic codes.
“We're not just meeting for the sake of it,” said Tri Widiyanti, Chairperson of IWO Bali. “These conversations are about laying the groundwork for a media ecosystem that is credible, ethical, and ready to serve the public interest in a rapidly changing digital era.”
The response from Bali's leadership has been overwhelmingly positive. High-ranking officials from the military (TNI), the Attorney General's Office, and the Immigration Office welcomed the initiative, signaling their support for a more responsible and collaborative media landscape.
Dr. Ketut Sumedana, Chief Prosecutor of Bali, stressed the importance of ethical journalism in an increasingly noisy media environment. “With so many media organizations today, we need the ones that truly commit to professionalism,” he said. “Code of ethics is not optional—it's fundamental.”
Colonel Candra of Kodam IX/Udayana echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for ongoing cooperation between the media and the military. “The media must continue to grow—not just in reach, but in credibility,” he said. “Natural selection will weed out the rest. The real journalists will stay.”
Parlindungan, Head of Bali's Immigration Office, also expressed interest in collaborating with IWO to ensure more accurate and timely public information, especially during a period of administrative transition within his institution.
Far from being a one-off gesture, these meetings mark the beginning of a long-term effort by IWO Bali to institutionalize ethical journalism. Upcoming programs include digital journalism workshops, ethical reporting seminars, and partnerships with educational institutions and civil society organizations.
In a media world increasingly driven by speed, clicks, and virality, IWO Bali is choosing a slower—but arguably more sustainable—path: building integrity from the inside out.
