Antara News Agency Gets New Chief

Jakarta, 13 Rabiul Akhir 1437/23 January 2016 (MINA) – Indonesia’s Antara News Agency gets a new chief after Meidyatama Suryodiningrat was sworn in as the new president director of the official news agency in a ceremony here  on Friday.

The Jakarta Post’s editor-in-chief replaced Saiful Hadi, who have occupied the position since 2012.

Fajar Harry Sampurno, the state-owned enterprises minister’s deputy for mining, strategic industry and media, said the the reshuffle was part of the government’s strategy to establish a National Publishing and News Corporation which would involve four state-owned enterprises, including Antara.

With the new position, Meidyatama said he waas committed to bringing Antra back to its function as an official government news agency.

He said he would not make drastic changes to Antara since the news agency had already matured.

Meidyatama stressed that he would not make massive change at Antara as the news agency is older that the republic.

“Because Antara is older than Indonesia, as requested by President Joko Widodo, I need to learn more in leading the news agency Antara. Therefore, I strongly expect the support of the Ministry of Enterprise, Board of Trustees, and the whole range Antara,” he said.

He also stated that he would not  have the freedom any longer to criticize the government as it used to when he was chief editor of the Jakarta Post.

Beside Meidyatama, Aat Surya Syafaat was sworn in as one of directors of the news agency.

Under the changes, the board of directors will only consist of the president director and two directors.  (T/R07/R01 )

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)