On Eternal Assignment: Remembering the Journalists Who Never Returned from Assignment
JAKARTA — Photojournalists do more than document events; through their images, they also preserve traces of life. This spirit is evident in the exhibition On Eternal Assignment, organised by the Indonesian Photojournalists Association (PFI) at the Antara Heritage Center in Jakarta from 10 to 16 November 2026. The exhibition presents work by five journalists who went missing while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, together with three crew members of the Arupadhatu 1.
Through the photographs on display, visitors are invited to remember the journalists who set out on assignment but never returned. Each work recalls their dedication to documenting events and conveying information to the public. More than an exhibition, On Eternal Assignment is a space to preserve their memory and pay tribute to those who risked their lives in the service of journalism.
The five journalists who lost contact during the reporting trip were M. Bagus Khoirunnas of ANTARA, Ari Basuki of Merdeka.com, Yudistiro Pranoto of iNews, Firman Daus of Anadolu Agency, and freelance journalist Donal Husni. Their work is presented again in the exhibition as a reminder of their commitment to their journalistic duties.
The photographs on display trace the journalists’ work. They remind visitors that behind every image are a process, courage and a responsibility to record events.
The exhibition honours the five journalists who went missing while covering the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. They had set out to document the event, but contact was lost with them and the vessel they were travelling on during the reporting trip.
The tribute also extends to the three crew members of the Arupadhatu 1, who went missing on the trip. Their presence was an important part of the journalists’ field assignment, as the crew helped them reach the reporting location.
Through the works on display, visitors can look back at how the journalists carried out their duties recording events. The photographs not only convey information, but also preserve traces of the service of those behind the camera.
On Eternal Assignment presents more than photography; it also invites visitors to learn about the people and dedication behind the images. The exhibition brings together journalistic work, memory and tribute to those who once went out on assignment.
Each photograph forms part of the collective memory of the journalists and crew members who went missing during the assignment. Through the exhibition, PFI is seeking to ensure that their dedication remains remembered by the public and the press community.
Visitors viewing the photographs are invited to recognise that photojournalism has a long story behind each image, including the journeys and risks faced by journalists.
On Eternal Assignment is a reminder that journalism does not end with the image produced. Dedication and responsibility accompany every reporting assignment. Although the five journalists and three crew members of the Arupadhatu 1 did not return, their work and service remain part of the memory of the journalistic community.