Sharing Session with Digital Journalism Alumnae

Sharing Session with Viriya Singgih (Doc. UMN).

Tangerang – The Journalism Study Program held a sharing session with UMN alumni on (01/11). Together with Viriya Pramita Singgih, he gave his experience during lectures and career paths in journalism.

UMN Journalism invited Viriya Pramita Singgih to share his experience in the world of work as a journalist. Viriya Pramita Singgih is an alumnus of the UMN Journalism class of 2009.

In this sharing session with alumni, Viriya shared his experience during his time at UMN, where he learned many things and really felt like a journalist. In addition, Viriya also shared his career journey.

Before starting his career, Viriya often did independent internships at Kompas to gain experience and portfolio. He chose an official internship at the Jakarta Globe, an English media, for two months. He chose the Jakarta Globe because he wanted to try English media because he thought this internship opened the way everywhere.

Of course, all the things he went through were not easy, and there were many new things he had to learn. He advised students, as a preparation, to practice. Students can practice independently to hone their skills. If students want to go deeper, they can take courses.

As a journalist himself, Viriyan is very interested in economic issues. Many economic issues have been raised in his writings, such as “Restoring the Economy with Solar Power” (Memulihkan Ekonomi dengan Tenaga Matahari), “Palm Oil Conflicts Never Go Away” (Konflik Sawit Tak Kunjung Padam), “Land Disputes Lead to Bloody Events” (Sengketa Tanah Berujung Peristiwa Berdarah), and many more. He also has his own website to publish his writings, viriyasinggih.com. 

According to him, the difficulties he experienced during his time as a journalist were unhealthy lifestyles such as sleep deprivation, irregular meals, and work that was not limited to time because of the 24-hour dedication to making news. If something happens suddenly, he has to make news.

Currently, information can also be disseminated quickly; everyone can create information, but it differs from a journalist.

“A journalist’s job is to provide and filter valid information. Choosing which ones can be disseminated, which are appropriate, and also useful for the public, everyone can disseminate information, but it does not guarantee that the information is correct,” he said in this session. 

To be a good journalist, one must have a good attitude, adhere to deadlines, and always be willing to learn. In this session, students were pleased to discuss with Viriya and get a lot of information about the experience of a journalist from college to work. 

Viriya is currently involved and in the process of a public journalism project called “Project Multatuli.” This project was created in May 2021. He likes this project because it provides an opportunity for those who cannot raise their voices. He is now a full-time journalist.

By Rachel Tiffany Tanukusuma | 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