Tanoto Foundation Reopens Journalism Competition to Promote Impactful Education Coverage

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Tanoto Foundation has reopened its 2026 Education Journalism Competition to journalists across Indonesia. Twenty selected proposals will receive funding totalling Rp100 million to produce in-depth reports on a range of education issues in Indonesia. Applications and proposals are open until 11.59 pm Western Indonesian Time (WIB) on 9 November 2026.

Through this annual initiative, Tanoto Foundation aims to bring more education issues to public attention through in-depth, fact-based journalism that is relevant to society’s needs. The resulting reports are expected to broaden public understanding of the challenges facing education and encourage constructive discussion to support improvements in Indonesia’s education sector.

“Education issues should not be reported on only when a new policy is launched or a problem arises. The public also needs to understand how education policies and programmes are implemented, the challenges faced on the ground, and their impact on children, teachers and families. Through this competition, we want to support journalists in producing in-depth, fact-based and inspiring reports, giving the public a fuller picture of education issues and opening up more space for discussion that can drive improvement,” said Patrick Hutajulu, Tanoto Foundation’s External Communications Lead.

This year, journalists may submit reporting proposals covering three main themes: early childhood development and education, primary education, and higher education. Each theme has several subthemes to guide participants in developing reporting ideas relevant to local issues and circumstances.

Of all the proposals received, 20 will be selected for funding and proceed to the reporting and publication stages. At the end of the competition, three outstanding pieces will receive additional awards.

The eligibility requirements are:

• The competition is open to staff and freelance journalists actively working for media outlets in Indonesia registered with the Press Council.

• Applicants may enter individually or as a group.

• Applicants must provide evidence of work published in mass media, including print, digital, radio or television.

• Applicants must understand and observe the Journalistic Code of Ethics and the principles of responsible journalism.

Reporting proposals must:

• Match one of the specified themes.

• Present an original reporting idea that has not previously been, and is not currently, submitted to another competition or reporting fellowship.

• Contain no adaptation, translation or plagiarism.

• Be developed in accordance with the Journalistic Code of Ethics.

• Be published through the media outlet or platform named in the proposal.

The 2026 Education Journalism Competition begins with an online briefing session on 23 October 2026. Prospective participants can register for the session in advance through bit.ly/2026KompetisiJurnalistikTF.

Registration and proposal submissions will run from 23 October to 9 November 2026.

The selected proposals will be announced on 10 November 2026. Journalists whose proposals are selected will then carry out their reporting and publish their work between 10 November and 11 December 2026.

The competition will conclude with the announcement of the three best works on 16 December 2026.

Journalists interested in taking part can find full details of the themes, subthemes, requirements and application process on the official 2026 Education Journalism Competition website at www.tanotofoundation.org/kompetisijurnalistiktf2026/ or via bit.ly/2026KompetisiJurnalistikTF.