Ministry of Human Rights: Human Rights Classes and Journalism Awards for Journalists
The Ministry of Human Rights (HAM) is preparing a series of national programmes targeting journalists, ranging from human rights education classes to journalism competitions and awards for human rights-themed journalistic works.
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai stated that the programmes will form part of efforts to strengthen the role of the press in advancing human rights civilisation development in Indonesia. The ministry aims to involve the media community more actively in the national human rights development agenda.
Pigai made the announcement at the Kick Off and Launch of the Media, Press, and Human Rights Civilisation Development Programme in Indonesia held at the Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel, Jakarta, on Wednesday (11 March).
“We will establish Human Rights Classes for Journalists. All journalists in Indonesia will be able to access special classes for journalists with at least basic knowledge,” said Pigai.
In addition to training programmes, the Ministry of Human Rights will also hold a journalism competition focusing on human rights issues. Journalistic works addressing human rights problems and efforts to achieve justice will be evaluated in the competition.
“So journalistic works covering human rights, exposing facts of suffering, pleas, and efforts to deliver justice and so on will be assessed and there will be rewards,” he said.
Pigai explained that the ministry has budget allocations for human rights activities including socialisation, education, and awareness-raising programmes for the public. These programmes will also involve journalists and the media community.
According to him, journalists participating in the training will have the opportunity to obtain certification so they can participate in human rights education activities in various communities.
“Once trained, we will issue certification. Media workers can deliver and teach human rights in journalist communities. This is something the Ministry of Human Rights has and is ready to support. It can be individual or community-based,” said Pigai.
He considered collaboration with the media to be key in building public awareness regarding human rights issues in Indonesia. In the past, government and media relationships have often been perceived as distant, yet both have mutually complementary roles in democracy.
“We want to convey that the government has regard for the press. Our relationship is one of interdependent symbiosis, respecting independence whilst also collaborating,” said Pigai.
According to him, human rights civilisation development cannot run effectively without the support of the media community and press, which have significant influence in shaping public awareness.
“The press is one of the greatest forces capable of building human rights development civilisation in Indonesia,” he said.