Amid the rapid advance of technology and the current COVID-19 pandemic, the intensity of interaction and communication through social media has surged. The right to freedom of expression is guaranteed and protected in Indonesia's constitution, specifically in Article 28E paragraph (3): "Every person shall have the freedom of association, assembly, and expression." To cultivate students of the UGM Faculty of Law who can express their views critically while respecting the rule of law, PPSMB Demokrasi (the new student orientation program) adopted the overarching theme "Giving Meaning to Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age."
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, PPSMB Demokrasi was held online on September 11-12, 2020. It was opened with a welcoming address from Dean of the UGM Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Sigit Riyanto, S.H., LL.M. This was followed by a public lecture session on "Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age," delivered by Indriaswati Dyah Saptaningrum, S.H., LL.M. (Executive Director of ELSAM, 2010-2015) and Prof. Dr. Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, S.H., M.Hum. (Professor at the UGM Faculty of Law). Participants showed great enthusiasm, submitting numerous questions on current issues related to the lecture's theme. New students then joined an academic information session for course registration guidance, followed by asynchronous activities in which they were guided by group facilitators to watch videos about the Faculty of Law, a video on "Ethics and Expression on Social Media," and a video on legal aid. Other activities that captured strong student interest included an FGD (Focus Group Discussion) with lecturers on the theme "Writing Ethics and Communication Ethics," followed by an FGD with facilitators on "How to Navigate the Issue of Information Credibility During a Pandemic."
PPSMB Demokrasi concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing the best, most disciplined, most active, and best-performing group participants. The closing was enlivened by videos from all student organizations, semi-autonomous bodies, and communities at the UGM Faculty of Law, as a warm welcome to the new students. The event was officially closed by Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Partnerships, and Alumni, Dr. Mailinda Eka Yuniza, S.H., LL.M.
Although PPSMB Demokrasi was held entirely online this year, new students were still able to get to know the UGM Faculty of Law -- both its environment and its academic culture -- and are hoped to adapt quickly, uphold high moral standards, and remain consistently motivated to achieve. Viva Justicia!
