Introduction

Freedom of expression, freedom of opinion, and freedom of the press are fundamental human rights protected by Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.

The presence of online media in Indonesia, including JavaDiscovery.com, is part of this freedom — a space where ideas, culture, and knowledge are shared responsibly.

Given the unique characteristics of digital journalism, JavaDiscovery.com adheres to professional standards that ensure accuracy, ethics, and accountability in every publication. These guidelines are based on the Press Law No. 40 of 1999 and the Journalistic Code of Ethics as outlined by the Indonesian Press Council.

1. Scope

  1. Online Media Definition
    Online media refers to all forms of journalism published on the internet that fulfill the legal and ethical standards of the Indonesian Press Law and the Professional Press Company Standards established by the Press Council.
  2. User-Generated Content (UGC)
    User-generated content includes all materials created or uploaded by users of the website, such as articles, comments, photos, videos, and forum discussions associated with JavaDiscovery.com.

2. Verification and Balance

  1. Every published article must be verified to ensure accuracy and fairness.
  2. News or stories that may affect or harm individuals, groups, or institutions must include balanced information and verification.
  3. Exceptions are permitted only when:
    • The issue is of urgent public interest.
    • The initial source is clearly identified, credible, and competent.
    • The subject of the report cannot be reached for comment.
    • The article clearly states that verification is still in progress and will be updated as soon as possible. This note must appear at the end of the article in italics.
  4. Once verification is obtained, an updated version of the article must be published with a link to the original unverified version.

3. User-Generated Content

  1. JavaDiscovery.com clearly states the terms and conditions for user submissions, ensuring compliance with Press Law No. 40 of 1999 and the Journalistic Code of Ethics.
  2. Users must register and log in before posting any content (such as comments or articles).
  3. By submitting content, users agree not to publish materials that:
    • Contain false, defamatory, obscene, or violent content.
    • Promote hatred or discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, race, or social group (SARA).
    • Encourage violence or discrimination based on gender, language, disability, or economic status.
  4. JavaDiscovery.com reserves the right to edit or remove any user-generated content that violates these terms.
  5. A reporting mechanism is provided for users to flag inappropriate or violating content, accessible directly from the site.
  6. Any reported violating content will be reviewed and, if necessary, removed or corrected within 2 x 24 hours.
  7. JavaDiscovery.com is not liable for user-generated content that violates these terms if the platform has followed all moderation and removal procedures in good faith.
  8. However, failure to act upon reported violations within the time frame specified may result in accountability for the published content.

4. Corrections, Clarifications, and Right of Reply

  1. Corrections, clarifications, and the right of reply follow the Press Law, the Journalistic Code of Ethics, and the Guidelines on Right of Reply set by the Press Council.
  2. Corrections or clarifications must be linked directly to the original article being corrected.
  3. Each correction or clarification must include the date and time of publication.
  4. If JavaDiscovery.com content is republished by other online media, the following applies:
    • JavaDiscovery.com’s responsibility is limited to the content published under its own platform and technical authority.
    • Other media outlets that republish content are also responsible for applying the same corrections if updates are made by JavaDiscovery.com.
    • Media that republish content without applying necessary corrections will bear full legal responsibility for any resulting consequences.

5. Article Withdrawal

  1. Published articles cannot be removed or censored by external parties, except for reasons involving sensitivity such as ethnicity, religion, decency, child protection, or traumatic experiences of victims, or based on special considerations set by the Press Council.
  2. Other media that have quoted the withdrawn article must follow the retraction.
  3. Every withdrawal must be accompanied by a clear explanation and made publicly available.

6. Advertising Policy

  1. JavaDiscovery.com strictly separates editorial content from advertisements.
  2. Any paid content, sponsored article, or advertisement must be clearly labeled as such (e.g., “Sponsored,” “Advertisement,” or “Partner Content”).
  3. Advertisements that contain misleading claims, violate laws, or conflict with ethical standards will not be published.

7. Final Provisions

These guidelines are binding for all editorial staff, contributors, and collaborators of JavaDiscovery.com.
They serve as a living document — subject to review and adjustment as media practices and public expectations evolve.

JavaDiscovery.com is committed to upholding integrity, cultural respect, and journalistic ethics while sharing the stories of Java with the world.