Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – Journalist Competency Test (UKW) is part of the initial or basic stages so that a journalist is more professional in working. So that it can present accurate, balanced, intelligent, and impartial news. On the other hand, journalists must continue to increase their knowledge or insight to support their abilities, especially in presenting news or information needed by the public.
These are some of the things conveyed by the Chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) of East Java, Lutfil Hakim, after the opening of the UKW on Tuesday (29/3/2022) at the Malang State Polytechnic. Although this competency test is not the only benchmark for journalist professionalism, every journalist must take it.
"If a journalist has extensive knowledge and networks, it will greatly support the credibility of the profession being pursued. No less important, good morals must be possessed by a journalist so that in carrying out his duties he is based on good intentions," he added.
What is narrated, Lutfil explained, is solely for the public interest, is objective, and has no tendencies. "In this context, the press has a responsibility as a social control and provides corrections to protect society from immoral or unlawful practices," he explained.
A similar statement was also made by the Head of PWI Malang Raya, Cahyono, who said that this competency test is one of the needs for every journalist so that in the future the life of the press will be better.
"The presence and role of the press in society is very important and vital. So if the various elements in the press are not good, it will also cause a bad effect in society," he explained.
Cahyono gave an example, such as if the news is always colored by negative information and there is no solution to a news that becomes a community problem, then the existence of the press will be looked down upon by the community. "What must also be recognized is that our society is already smart and can judge which media is worthy of being used as a reference source of information," he said.
The 40th batch of journalist competency test led by PWI Malang Raya was attended by 36 participants who also came from several areas outside Malang Raya and East Java, such as Tangerang, Jakarta, Bandung, and North Lampung. Until now, there are at least around 1.300 journalists in East Java who have passed the competency test so that in the future it is hoped that an ideal/professional and progressive press life will be created. (say/ram)
