Sharing Journalistic Experience in National Geographic Indonesia’s 19th Anniversary Celebration

Didi introduces National Geographic Indonesia to students (Doc. UMN)

TANGERANG – The eyes of Journalism study program students were focused on listening to a seminar held by National Geographic Indonesia. The seminar, held at the Lecture Hall of Multimedia Nusantara University (UMN), discussed the intricacies of journalism, especially those related to nature and culture (28/3). 

Welcoming its new age, National Geographic Indonesia held a series of activities to introduce its media to the public and invite the public, especially young people, to care about the environment. One of the agendas in this series is the Editorial Talk held at UMN. 

Didi Kaspi Kasim, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic, said that humans are currently in the Anthropocene era when human activities begin to have a global influence on the Earth’s ecosystem. In this era, human behavior, good or bad, can leave traces on the earth. Therefore, in a seminar session entitled “A New Era of Exploration: Celebrating the Diversity of Life” (Era Baru Penjelajahan: Merayakan Pusparagam Kehidupan), Didi invited the younger generation to take a role in voicing the safety of the Earth.

In line with Didi, Mahandis Yonata, Managing Editor of National Geographic Indonesia, also expressed his concern for the earth’s condition, saying that the younger generation has a role in protecting the earth’s ecosystem.

The step taken by Didi and his colleagues in contributing to the environment is to share educational information through National Geographic Indonesia’s coverage. In the talk show, they invited students to get to know the diversity of life by showing documentation while travelling in various parts of the archipelago, ranging from dolphins in Kalimantan to the story of the Marori Men-Gey tribe who inhabit Wasur National Park, Merauke.

Not stopping there, the great people behind this magazine also shared their knowledge, which is also relevant to students in the field of Journalism. 

Utomo Priyambodo is the man behind the compelling writing that brings readers into the story. He said the lead is the most important thing in writing a news story that can attract readers’ attention.

“I usually use sentences that contain human senses to open the news. By using this method, the reader will feel the same way,” said Utomo in his talk session.

The conversation was then continued by Ricky Martin, who plays the role of Videographer. He explained what equipment is needed when reporting: cameras, lenses, tripods, and other items.

Besides Utomo and Ricky, there was Dony Fernando, who served as a Photographer. Dony himself is one of the alumni of UMN’s Journalism study program. In college, he joined one of the campus media, UMN Juice. In the talk session, Dony explained the correct photo technique so that the message in the photo can be conveyed well. He also briefly touched on the ethics of reporting, which must obtain permission from the chairman or local residents. 

Asked about his message to students who are taking journalism programs, Dony said not to be too afraid of change.

“If people say ‘journalism is no longer needed’, that’s not true. Journalism is still needed and will continue to grow along with the changes. It all depends on the journalists themselves.”

National Geographic Indonesia itself was first present in 2005 when its inaugural magazine became the talk of the town. The cover of the magazine was filled with a photo of homo florensis, which was a shocking finding at the time. Grid Network, a publication company owned by Kompas Gramedia, publishes National Geographic Indonesia magazine itself. For 19 years now, this magazine has been the answer for the public to find actual information about humans, nature, culture, and their surroundings.

by Ivana Auliya | UMN News Service

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

Kuliah di Jakarta untuk jurusan program studi Informatika| Sistem Informasi | Teknik Komputer | Teknik Elektro | Teknik Fisika | Akuntansi | Manajemen| Komunikasi Strategis | Jurnalistik | Desain Komunikasi Visual | Film dan Animasi | Arsitektur | D3 Perhotelan , di Universitas Multimedia Nusantara. www.umn.ac.id