Inp.polri.go.id – Jakarta. In welcoming the National Press Day, the Communication and Informatics Ministry says that the press plays a pivotal role in maintaining the 2024 General Election to go peacefully and smoothly. “Press must be able to oversee the Election to go peacefully as it would determine the future of the state. If the election goes peacefully, it means the state is in complete unity, just as it was said in this year’s theme of National Press Day,” says the Director General of Public Information and Communication Usman Kantong quoted from Antara on Friday (2/9/2024). Additionally, Usman emphasized the importance of free, independent, and critical press. In the election context, the press also must be able to invite and convince the people to cast their vote on the day of the voting. “I think, the most important matter in the election context for the press is to convince the people to participate in the election, to invite them to vote on February 14th, 2024,” said Usman. Furthermore, in maintaining the quality of democracy and assuring the election goes safely and peacefully, Usman invites the press to be the clearing house from hoax news. In strengthening the roles of critical and independent press, it is hoped that the 2024 General Election could result with a peaceful demonstration of democracy in electing the new leader of the state. In his conclusion, Usman believes that in maintaining the integrity of the democracy, it requires a collaboration between the press, government and the people. (ad/ndt/pr/nm)