BANJARMASIN, metro7.co.id – Yudis and Ade, two journalists from Tanah Bumbu Regency, are continuously grateful after passing the Journalist Competency Test (UKW) held by PWI Kalimantan Selatan in HBI Banjarmasin recently.
The UKW organized by PWI Kalimantan Selatan as the host was all free, and participants also received snacks and lunch.
“I am grateful and thank PWI Kalimantan Selatan for giving me the opportunity to participate in this year’s UKW,” said Yudis and Ade, who were declared successful in the UKW, as quoted from aktualkalsel.com.
In some regions in Indonesia, there are fees required to participate in the UKW. However, PWI Kalimantan Selatan does not charge any fee.
Fortunately, the UKW organized by PWI Kalimantan Selatan, according to Yudis, has been free of charge since 2011 until now.
“I heard from the PWI Kalimantan Selatan officials and senior journalists who have participated in the UKW that there is no fee at all,” said Desy Aulia Asran, the first female journalist from Tanah Bumbu Regency to pass the UKW PWI Kalimantan Selatan 14th batch.
To the knowledge of Yudis and Ade, the UKW is a competency test for individuals as journalists, editors, and editorial leaders in carrying out journalistic duties.
“As UKW participants, our journalistic abilities are tested until we are declared competent,” he explained.
The UKW test covers skills, such as being skilled in reporting, news editing, and using journalistic tools, as well as having special skills, according to Ade.
Furthermore, UKW participants are required to have knowledge about journalism theories and general knowledge, added Ade.
“A journalist must understand all the issues in society, therefore, they must have extensive knowledge. This will be tested in building networks,” said Zainal Hilmie, the Chairman of PWI Kalimantan Selatan.
In addition to skills and knowledge, according to Zainal Hilmie, another important aspect in carrying out journalistic duties is understanding journalistic ethics.
“No matter how skilled a journalist is, if they do not comply with journalistic ethics, their journalistic work will cause problems,” said Zainal Hilmie.
As we know, compensation for journalists is essential. It is undeniable that professionals must have a standard.
Journalists, as a profession protected by the Indonesian Press Law Number 40 of 1999, are required to have professional competence standards according to the Dewan Pers Regulation Number 1 of 2010 concerning Journalist Competency Certification (SKW).
There are six objectives of implementing SKW. First, to improve the quality and professionalism of journalists. Second, to serve as a reference for evaluating journalists’ performance by companies. Third, to uphold press freedom based on public interest. Fourth, to uphold the dignity of journalism as a profession that produces intellectual works. Fifth, to prevent the misuse of the journalism profession. Lastly, to place journalists in a strategic position in the press industry.
From the above objectives, it can be concluded that journalistic products are intellectual works.
Therefore, the process, from gathering information to broadcasting it as news, must always be done with seriousness, based on facts, and can be held accountable. So even if there are disputes, they can be resolved intellectually. ***
Related
