BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR — Bali Governor Wayan Koster has urged journalists to remain critical, professional, and committed to journalistic ethics while carrying out their role in informing the public.

Koster made the statement while attending the 14th anniversary celebration of the Indonesian Online Journalists Association (IWO) and the first anniversary of IWO Bali at the Bali Provincial Tourism Office Hall in Denpasar on Sunday (August 30, 2026).

In his speech, Koster said the establishment of IWO was a response to the rapid development of science, technology, and information technology. He noted that digital media has an advantage in delivering information quickly and easily, allowing people to access news from various locations.

According to Koster, mass media plays an important role as a two-way communication platform between the government and the public. Therefore, journalists are expected to uphold the journalistic code of ethics while remaining critical, professional, and focused on educating the public.

“Media outlets that are part of IWO must be objective and professional. They must have the courage to tell things as they are. If something is not good, report it. But if there are positive achievements, they should also be published for the public,” Koster said.

He emphasized that news coverage should ultimately serve the public interest and contribute to improving the welfare of the people of Bali.

Koster also invited IWO Bali to work together in overseeing the implementation of Bali’s 100-Year Development Blueprint, known as Haluan Pembangunan Bali 100 Tahun. He said the strategic development program would continue to be communicated to the public so that people understand the direction of Bali’s development and can actively participate in shaping the island’s future.

Meanwhile, IWO Bali Chairperson Tri Widiyanti reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to monitoring regional development while prioritizing the public interest.

She said information must be disseminated to the public in a clean, responsible, balanced, and objective manner.

The anniversary celebration featured a traditional tumpeng rice-cone cutting ceremony, the presentation of awards for the Bali-wide University Journalism Competition, a talk show, and the distribution of assistance to 15 underprivileged children.