Australian Embassy supports journalism training

Journalists from across Eastern Indonesia will receive professional journalism training and undergo competency testing during a workshop supported by the Australian Government and the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) in Makassar today.

More than 50 journalists will attend a two-day workshop and competency test on ethics in media and journalism. The participants work online, in print, television and radio, and are based in Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Maluku, Bali, NTT, NTB and Papua.

“A professional, ethical media is an important part of any democracy,” said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty. “Here in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, the robust and dynamic media plays a crucial role in keeping people informed.”

“We’re proud to support media training, especially seeing the Indonesian media helping itself to improve standards and meet the challenges of maintaining accurate, balanced and ethical reporting,” said Ambassador Moriarty.

Indonesian journalists are encouraged to undertake a competency test, introduced by the Indonesian Press Council in 2011, in order to ensure they are credible, ethical and produce high-quality reporting. The testing covers three different stages of a journalist’s career, and examines knowledge, awareness and skills.

Journalists who pass the test with a minimum score of 70 per cent are declared competent, and their names published online.

The Alliance of Independent Journalists has been appointed as one of the five journalism institutions able to conduct competency training. The Australian Government aid agency, AusAID is helping to fund this week’s workshop.

Media enquiries:
Rendy Djauhari – AusAID Public Affairs – 08111904823