ANTARA CEO Equips Students with Empathy-Based Communication Skills in Banjarmasin

Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - The CEO of Perum LKBN ANTARA, Benny Siga Butarbutar, equipped hundreds of students with empathy-based communication skills to face the dynamics of global information in an era of rapidly advancing technology in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (Kalsel). “Empathy-based communication is the key to addressing global uncertainties marked by rapid social changes and the intense flow of information across various digital platforms today,” he said at the Communication and Public Relations Seminar held by the Public Relations Association (Perhumas) at the University of Islam Kalimantan Muhammad Arsyad Al Banjari, Banjarmasin, on Saturday. “The current global situation has the potential to trigger public anxiety, so a communication approach is needed that can build trust and maintain strong relationships between institutions and the wider community,” he stated. Effective communication, he said, is not only determined by the speed of information delivery but also by the ability to understand context, situations, and audience needs accurately and deeply. He conveyed that empathetic communication is a differentiator because it creates closeness in social and professional interactions, making messages easier to accept by various segments of society. Benny assessed that spontaneous and natural message delivery often reflects honesty, as it arises from direct responses to situations faced without excessive construction in message formulation. He encouraged enhancing human resource capacity in communication so that it not only masters theory but also possesses social sensitivity in delivering messages to the public. He added that strengthening insights and critical thinking abilities is very necessary so that the messages conveyed are not only informative but also able to build comprehensive understanding within society. “Therefore, Perhumas is committed to improving communication competencies through various professional development programmes, including certification and training relevant to current communication needs and developments,” said Benny.