Seminar Highlights Student Journalism’s Role in Safeguarding Democracy
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- Speakers at a UNIBA seminar said student press strengthens democracy and helps regenerate the journalism profession.
- PWI and Antara urged continuous mentoring from campuses, professional bodies and media, while warning against silencing campus press.
- Antara pledged training and digital collaboration, as UNIBA highlighted students’ critical engagement and urged follow-through in campus newsrooms.
Campus-based student press is being viewed as a vital foundation for safeguarding democratic quality while nurturing the next generation of journalists, prompting calls for sustained mentoring from universities, professional organizations and mainstream media.
The issue was raised during a National Journalism Seminar titled “The Role of the Student Press in Democracy,” held at the University of Bina Bangsa (UNIBA) in Serang, Banten, on Saturday, as part of a series of events marking National Press Day (HPN) 2026.
Ariawan, head of cooperation and partnerships at the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) central board, stressed that students should sharpen their abilities early through tangible work. He said active involvement in campus media offers a depth of practical knowledge that students do not gain in the classroom.
“As students, you must have the spirit to learn, to produce work, and to contribute to society and the country. That practical experience isn’t found in books,” Ariawan said.
He added that the press plays a strategic role in supporting democracy because it is inclusive in providing information, as long as that information is grounded in truth. “The press is always open to anyone who brings information, as long as it is factual,” he said.
Echoing that view, Antara News Agency president director Benny Siga Butar Butar described campus press as the starting point of the national journalism ecosystem. Weak student media, he warned, would directly affect the quality of journalism in the future.
Benny also highlighted the need to protect freedom of expression in academic environments. He said students’ curiosity should be guided with responsibility, not suppressed.
“Campus press must not be banned, must not be silenced. It must be given space—its curiosity should be channeled with responsibility,” Benny said.
As a concrete form of support, Antara said it is committed to strengthening student capacity through training programs and digital collaboration.
UNIBA rector Bambang DS welcomed the discussion as a way for students to gain fresh perspectives from industry practitioners. He noted the strong enthusiasm shown by students, who raised critical questions throughout the session.
“The students’ questions were quite sharp, and they were answered with very rich perspectives,” Bambang said. He expressed hope that the ideas produced at the seminar would not stop at discussion, but would be implemented through journalistic practice on campus.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
