Bogor, Siberriau—The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) held the 2026 PWI Retreat as a strategic effort to strengthen the role of the press in maintaining information security, democracy, and national security. The event was officially opened at the National Defense Competency Center in Cibodas Village, Rumpin District, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Thursday (January 29, 2026).

The retreat opened with an official ceremony led by the Head of the Defense Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Major General Ketut Gede Wetan Pastia, accompanied by the Chairman of the PWI Center, Akhmad Munir, and the Secretary General of the PWI Center, Zulmansyah Sekedang.

The 2026 PWI Retreat carries the theme "Strengthening a Professional, Integrity-Based, and Nationally-Minded Press for Information Resilience, Democracy, and National Security."

The event, attended by 160 participants representing the Central and Regional PWI chapters from across Indonesia, will last four days, from January 29 to February 1, 2026.

The Chairman of PWI, Akhmad Munir, emphasized that the PWI Retreat is part of the organization's efforts to develop journalists who are not only professionally superior but also possess a strong sense of nationalism amidst the challenges of disinformation and public polarization.

"It is designed as a space for collective learning and reflection for journalists so that Indonesian journalists are not only strong professionally and ethically, but also possess a strong sense of nationalism in facing the challenges of disinformation, polarization, and the dynamics of global information," said Akhmad Munir.

At the opening ceremony, the Head of the Defense Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense read a speech from the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. He emphasized the important role of the press in managing information and shaping public perception as part of national resilience.

"I emphasize that information management and shaping public perception are integral to efforts to maintain national resilience. In this context, a professional, integrated, and nationally aware press occupies a strategic position as a partner to the state in strengthening national unity and integrity, while upholding the principles of independence and press freedom as guaranteed by the constitution," stated the Minister of Defense in his remarks delivered by the Head of the Defense Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM).

Following the opening ceremony, the event continued with the awarding of participant badges to all participants of the 2026 Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Retreat. Participants then received materials on the Building Learning Commitment (BLC) and an Introduction to the Basic Values ??of National Defense as a foundation for participating in all activities.

Also attending the opening of the 2026 PWI Retreat were Brigadier General Ferry Trisnaputra, Head of the National Defense Competency Center of the Ministry of Defense's Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM), Echelon II officials within the Ministry of Defense's Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM), and the PWI Central Board. (Release/WAG PWI RIAU/Nov).