Digital Era Demands More Competent Journalists: Ethics, Verification, and Multimedia Are Key
The digital era demands that journalists’ competence is no longer measured solely by their ability to report and write news. In the cyber age, journalists are required to combine journalistic skills with digital literacy, multimedia mastery, and the ability to verify information amidst a torrent of disinformation.
The rapid spread of information across various digital platforms presents new challenges for the press. Accuracy, independence, and adherence to the Journalistic Code of Ethics remain the primary foundations, but these must now be balanced with the ability to utilise technology responsibly.
Journalists are also required to understand the characteristics of cyber media, ranging from digital content verification techniques and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support journalistic processes, to understanding public information consumption patterns on the internet. The ability to process news in various formats such as text, photos, videos, audio, and graphics has become a necessity in modern newsrooms.
Beyond technical skills, managerial aspects are also crucial in the development of the journalistic profession. At a higher level, journalists are expected to be able to design news agendas, manage digital newsrooms, and understand the legal and ethical aspects of every news production process.
To ensure these competency standards are met, the Press Council has implemented a tiered Cyber Journalist Competency Test (UKW Siber), structured from the levels of Young Journalist, Middle Journalist, to Senior Journalist. Each level tests technical, editorial, and leadership skills, as well as understanding of press regulations, through a simulation of work in a digital newsroom conducted over a minimum of two days.
RRI Officially Holds Cyber UKW Licence
In line with the need to improve the quality of digital journalism, the Press Council has officially mandated the Public Broadcasting Institution Radio Republik Indonesia (LPP RRI) to conduct the Cyber Journalist Competency Test (UKW Siber).
The handover of the licence decree was carried out by Press Council member Maha Eka Swasta to the President Director of LPP RRI, Hendrasmo, at the RRI Headquarters on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, 7 July 2026.
With this licence, RRI joins a number of other institutions that have been authorised by the Press Council to conduct UKW Siber in various regions across Indonesia.