Ministry of Human Rights to Launch Human Rights Classes for Journalists to Strengthen Media Literacy

Jakarta — The Ministry of Human Rights is preparing a capacity-building programme for journalists to strengthen media comprehension of human rights issues in Indonesia, including the establishment of dedicated human rights classes for media workers.

Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai stated that the programme aims to expand journalists’ understanding of human rights perspectives so that reporting produced is not only informative but also promotes public awareness regarding the protection of citizens’ rights.

“We will conduct human rights classes for journalists. All journalists in Indonesia will be able to participate; we are opening special classes for journalists,” Pigai said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Beyond training, the ministry is also preparing several supporting programmes for journalistic works addressing humanitarian issues and human rights protection.

“Second, we are providing production facilitation for journalistic works, then human rights journalism competitions, and also journalism awards,” he said.

Pigai explained that journalistic works highlighting various human rights issues, including citizens’ suffering and efforts to advance justice, will form part of the assessment criteria in the award programme.

He assessed that media plays a strategic role in strengthening human rights development because it is capable of conveying various social issues whilst promoting public awareness.

“Without involving the media community and press community, it is difficult. Because in any case, the press is one of the greatest forces capable of building a civilisation of human rights development in our country, the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.

According to Pigai, media functions not only to expose various social issues in society, but can also play a role in campaigning for development efforts related to human rights protection.

“Media must be able to campaign for positive aspects of national development, particularly human rights development in the civil and political sphere, in the economic, social, and cultural sphere,” he said.

Through these various programmes, the Ministry of Human Rights hopes journalists can play a more active role in disseminating human rights values, whilst strengthening media’s function as a pillar of democracy in overseeing national development.