Dompu, November 14, 2025 — PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM), together with the Press Council, held a media literacy program to strengthen press professionalism in Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province. The event, titled “Professional Press as a Catalyst for Regional Development”, was attended by 34 journalists representing various media outlets and press organizations in the region.
The Press Council is an independent institution established to protect press freedom and develop press life in Indonesia based on Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press. In this media literacy program, the Press Council was represented by the Chair of the Commission for Partnerships, Inter-Institutional Relations, and Infrastructure, Dr. Rosarita Niken Widiastuti; and the Chair of the Commission on Law and Legislation, Abdul Manan.
The Head of the Dompu Regency Communication and Information Office, Yani Hartono, had the opportunity to open the media literacy program. In his remarks, he stated that strengthening press professionalism is very important. “In today’s era of fast and open information, the role of the media is crucial in shaping public opinion, delivering information, and overseeing the course of development,” he said.
Therefore, according to him, the Dompu Regency Government strongly supports programs aimed at improving the quality of journalism and media literacy. “I highly appreciate this extraordinary initiative by STM and the Press Council,” he said. He added that this initiative is in line with the Dompu Communication and Information Office’s programs in supporting media development, such as training and technical assistance.
After the opening session, Dr. Rosarita Niken Widiastuti delivered material on the profile of the Press Council, a deeper understanding of the Press Law, and the Journalistic Code of Ethics (KEJ). Participants were guided to understand the boundaries, obligations, and ethical standards that form the foundation of journalistic work.
In her presentation, Niken emphasized the importance of accuracy, verification, separating facts from opinions, and applying the principle of presumption of innocence. She also stressed that the speed of publication must not sacrifice the accuracy of information. “Accuracy is always more important than being the fastest. Journalists’ integrity is the last defense of news quality,” she said.
Meanwhile, another speaker, Abdul Manan, provided an overview of types of news disputes, complaint procedures, and emphasized the importance of compliance with the KEJ to avoid ethical violations and potential legal risks for journalists. This material aligns with Abdul Manan’s role in the Press Council, where he also serves as Deputy Chair of the Commission on Complaints and Enforcement of Press Ethics.
STM’s Head of Corporate Communications, Cindy Elza, stated that collaboration with the Press Council is a concrete step to strengthen the capacity of regional journalists, particularly in maintaining the quality of journalistic work and consistently applying the KEJ. Amid the challenges of the digital era, the ability to maintain accuracy and integrity in reporting is increasingly crucial.
Cindy added that for STM, this activity is also part of good mining practices, which include information transparency and constructive relationships with the media, government, and society. “We believe that open and collaborative communication can strengthen the information ecosystem in the region and accelerate inclusive development,” said Cindy.
She also expressed gratitude to the Press Council for the cooperation established, as well as to all participants who attended and took part. “We hope this activity brings real benefits for the development of the press in Dompu and Bima Regencies, and fosters strong, sustainable collaboration,” she concluded.
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About PT Sumbawa Timur Mining
PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM) is a joint venture company between PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (20%) and Eastern Star Resources Pty Ltd (80%). STM manages the Hu’u Project, a copper exploration project operating under a 7th Generation Contract of Work (CoW) located in Hu’u Subdistrict, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.
The CoW area also contains geothermal resources. To explore this potential, STM established its affiliate company, PT Sumbawa Timur Geothermal, which has received a Geothermal License (IPB) from the government. STM continues its journey toward realizing its vision of becoming a world-class copper mining operation powered by renewable energy.
For more information, please contact the STM Communications Team.
