MEDAN |INDATANEWS.COM ~ Investigative journalist and author Dandhy Dwi Laksono, alongside Benaya Harobu, led a public discussion of the book Reset Indonesia at Serayu Cafe and Space, Sei Serayu Road, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesian, on Thursday (February 5, 2026).
The event created an open space for critical dialogue on social inequality, weakened democratic processes, and the lack of advocacy for marginalized communities—key issues explored in the book.
The discussion attracted students, academics, and civil society activists, with participants engaging in debates on the role of the media, the courage to speak out publicly, and the challenges of delivering truth under political pressure.
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In his presentation, Dandhy Dwi Laksono explained that Reset Indonesia was born out of deep societal unrest, where many structural problems are often ignored or pushed aside in public discourse.
"This book seeks to preserve voices that are frequently silenced and invites readers not to remain mere spectators," Dhandy said.
He emphasized that Reset Indonesia goes beyond documenting facts. The book also serves as an educational reference, particularly for younger generations, to nurture critical thinking and raise awareness of social justice issues.
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Benaya Harobu highlighted that the book is based on extensive research and employs a narrative approach to make complex social issues more accessible to the public.
"Critical reading literacy is essential to strengthening public participation in democracy," Benaya stated.
Without adequate media and literacy skills, he added, society struggles to recognize and critically question fundamental social and political problems.
Environmental Destruction and Public Responsibility
During the same forum, Panut Hadisiswoyo, Director of Green Justice Indonesia (GJI), addressed ongoing environmental destruction across various regions of Indonesia, including North Sumatra, particularly Mandailing Natal (Madina).
He stressed that public involvement is crucial in environmental protection. Without collective action, ecological damage becomes inevitable, forest ecosystems continue to deteriorate due to land-use changes, and communities ultimately bear the consequences of natural disasters.
An Interactive Forum for Media Freedom
Fika Rahma, Managing Director of Indata Komunika Cemerlang and the event organizer, noted that the discussion was highly interactive. Participants raised critical questions concerning media independence, freedom of expression, and the risks journalists face when confronting entrenched power structures.
She expressed hope that similar public forums would be held in other regions across Indonesia.
The event was complemented by a photo exhibition on natural disasters and a public discussion in collaboration with GJI. Attendees included photographer Prayugo Utama (Voice of Forest), journalist Fahriza Batubara, Head of the North Sumatra Climatology Station Wahyu, and GJI Director Panut Hadisiswoyo. (IDNC)