Communications students talk about ethical and peace journalism

COMM SPACE 2020 is a two day online event that was created by Binus International University’s Communication program batch 2023 students. Binus International University’s Communication program presented Student Forum: Youth For Peace Journalism, a discussion forum that was perfect for students who have ever considered a career in Journalism, or are just interested in majoring in journalism. Encouraging an online discussion about the topic of ethical and peace journalistic practices in Indonesia.

This event features very special speakers including keynote speaker Purwani Diyah Prabandari from Tempo Media Group, Dio Suhenda a Communication student from Binus International University, Nadia Intan from University of Gadjah Mada, and Adinda Priyanti from University of Padjadjaran. The three speakers from each university expressed their views on journalism in Indonesia, such as ethical journalism, journalism issues, as well as regarding violence against journalists.

“Journalists must cover both-side stories in order to be considered ethical,” Adinda expressed her view on ethical journalism.

“For me as a journalist intern, I learn that achieving peace journalism does not mean that the journalists only tell good stories about conflict,” Dio had his opinion on peace journalism.

Nadia Intan who is active in her campus publication gives a different opinion. “Journalists and media should be independent and free from political interest if they want to practice ethical journalism. Voicing up the stories from a grassroot level instead of just taking a side with the government could also help the journalists to write more ethical news.”

While Prabandari, who is a professional, conveyed the facts of journalism in Indonesia. “The (media) landscape is different now. Since people especially younger generation like to access news on social media, the tendency of news articles with a ‘click-bait’ headline is inevitable.”

“Listening to what the student speakers have said about journalistic ethics, I am happy and so hopeful of the future of journalism in this country,” Prabandari added.

Participants of this webinar did not only get the chance to learn more about the world of journalism but they were also able to receive 5 chances to win Rp 50,000 GoPay/OVO vouchers for asking the best questions for the special speakers to answer during the question and answer session.

Contributor: Nazira Muqthadi, Communications Binusian 2021

Editor: Lily El Ferawati, PhD