PLN Journalist Awards 2025 Recognises 18 Outstanding Works
PT PLN (Persero) has once again extended recognition to journalism professionals through the PLN Journalist Awards (PJA) 2025 ceremony. Adopting the theme “Sovereign Energy for a Stronger Indonesia”, the awards successfully attracted 1,329 journalistic works from across Indonesia, with 18 selected as award winners.
Participation numbers this year increased nearly threefold compared to 2020, which recorded 460 submissions. The consistent growth trend each year reflects the high enthusiasm and trust of journalism professionals in the openness and transformation being undertaken by PLN.
PLN Director Darmawan Prasodjo stated that journalism professionals are strategic partners in building public understanding of the national energy transition and transformation agenda.
“The media plays a fundamental role in ensuring that accurate, balanced information reaches the public. Through the PLN Journalist Awards, we wish to strengthen this collaboration and provide equal recognition to journalists across Indonesia,” said Darmawan.
He emphasised that amidst PLN’s transformation process and the acceleration of energy transition towards Net Zero Emissions (NZE), open and credible communication serves as an important foundation for building public trust.
“We have learnt much from our media colleagues about the importance of genuine and honest communication. This drives us to continuously improve and enhance the quality of our service to the public,” he added.
In line with increased participation, this year’s awards introduced a new “Indonesia Top 100 Journalists” scheme which divides participants into three regional categories: West Java, East Java, and outside Java. This scheme was designed to expand participation access whilst ensuring equitable recognition for journalists across Indonesia.
PLN Executive Vice President for Corporate Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility, Gregorius Adi Trianto, explained that all submissions underwent a rigorous and tiered selection process to guarantee objectivity and assessment quality.
“From the 1,329 submissions received, all went through layered curation and evaluation by a cross-platform jury panel. We ensured that each work was assessed professionally based on journalistic quality, depth of issue coverage, and its impact on the public,” explained Gregorius.
In the pre-selection phase to determine the Indonesia Top 100 Journalists, judging involved numerous national media and communications figures. In the final stage, evaluation was conducted by a jury panel representing print media, television, digital outlets, and photography. This composition reflects diverse perspectives in determining the best works.
Eighteen journalists were ultimately selected as winners across six categories: Single Photography, Photo Story, Video Hard News, Video Feature, Text Hard News, and Text Feature.
The following are the winners of the PLN Journalist Awards 2025:
Single Photography Category
First Prize: Yudi (LKBN Antara) – “Rescuing Lights for Illumination After Tapanuli Selatan Flash Floods”
Second Prize: Muhammad Ihsan Mulya Pratama (Radar Solo) – “Electric Scooters Colour Sustainable Tourism in the Kauman Batik Village Heritage Area of Solo”
Third Prize: Ahmad Subaidi (LKBN Antara) – “Expansion of Electrification Based on Renewable Energy”
Photo Story Category
First Prize: Maman Sukirman (Sindomakassar.com) – “PLN’s Electric Boats Bring New Hope to Rammang Rammang River”
Second Prize: Rifkianto Nugroho (detik.com) – “Towards Energy Self-Sufficiency, Maratua Fishermen Begin Adopting Electrifying Lifestyle at Sea”
Third Prize: Fandi Yogari Saputra (LKBN Antara West Sumatra Bureau) – “Awaiting Sun and Rain to Irrigate the Fields of Tanjung Barulak Village”
Video Hard News Category
First Prize: Erianto (Cenderawasih Pos TV) – “Hunting Profits from Electric Coffee”
Second Prize: Agung Hepi Pitoyo (CNN Indonesia TV) – “Agricultural Innovation for Cirata Mushroom Farmers”
Third Prize: Ulfan Rahmad (Liputan 6) – “Reducing Pollution, Preventing Emissions”
Video Feature Category
First Prize: Muhammad Syahri Romdhon (Kompas TV) – “Achieving Dreams and Achievements Amidst Economic Constraints”
Second Prize: Syamsul Rizal (Antara) – “Promoting Energy Transition in Public Transport Based on Electricity”
Third Prize: Nabila Anisya Charisty (Antara TV) – “Metropolitan Lifestyle Along the Electrification Route”
Text Hard News Category
First Prize: Lina Herlina (Media Indonesia) – “From Petrol to Electric Socket, PLN Accelerates Sustainable Energy Transition”
Second Prize: Adi Manggala Saputro (Tribunwow.com) – “Renewable Energy Self-Sufficiency Project on Kapoposang Island, Pangkep Regency: From Oil Lanterns to Energy Independence”
Third Prize: Whisnu Bagus Prasetyo (Investortrust.id) – “Electrifying Lifestyle Is No Longer a Discourse, Indonesia Draws Closer to Energy Self-Sufficiency”
Text Feature Category
First Prize: Sigiranus Marutho Bere (Kompas.com) – “Light from the Border”
Second Prize: Romadhona Yulian Budi Wibowo (Pikiran Rakyat Jawa Timur) – “Flowing Without Diesel: A New Story Towards Sustainable Energy”
Third Prize: Erika Kurnia (Harian Kompas) – “The Hiss of Electric Buses and Efforts Towards City Electrification”