Author(s): Ahmad Riyadh Umar Balahmar
After the period of reform with Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the media, it is in line with the desire of the masses to elevate the media as the fourth pillar of democracy in Indonesia. This study is to know the role of the government and journalists in interpreting media freedom. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach, which involved 20 informants consisting of media actors, kingdoms, academic experts, communication experts, and the crowd. The results showed that the model of media freedom and mutual understanding is to maintain media diversity with their respective functions. The two elements make an agreement in the form of mutual understanding in realizing harmonious media freedom. The roles of each, namely the government and journalists, strengthen each other to realize press freedom in accordance with the dynamics that affect the level of literacy and education in a country. The media is not only about news but also a broader understanding of what is happening in Indonesian society.