RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - The Radio Republik Indonesia Public Broadcasting Institution (LPP RRI) is conducting its 24th wave of Radio Journalist Competency Test (UKWR) across four key cities, aiming to strengthen professional standards in its newsroom.

Head of LPP RRI's Center for Radio Competency Development (Pusbangkom), Ade Irosadi, explained that the program responds to directives from LPP RRI President Director Ignatius Hendrasmo. He emphasized that certification is essential to ensure broadcast journalists meet standardized qualifications and can consistently deliver high-quality public information. 

Pusbangkom continues to roll out these tests across all 17 regional coordinators, with Yogyakarta currently serving as Regional Coordinator (Korwil) 11, which covers Yogyakarta and three Central Java cities of Surakarta, Semarang, and Purwokerto. Ade noted that the goal is for participants to meet competency standards aligned with RRI’s editorial policies for both broadcasting and news.

The Yogyakarta session, part of the 24th UKWR batch, involves 30 participants divided into junior (muda) and intermediate (madya) levels. The two-day evaluation began on February 10, 2026.

“Each competency level, both junior and intermediate, is assessed through a module containing 10 testing points, all of which are standards set by the Press Council,” Ade said during the session in Yogyakarta.

In response to evolving media challenges, RRI has expanded certification to include broadcasting staff, reflecting the organization’s view that the distinction between news and broadcasting no longer applies. “Everyone is considered a journalist,” Ade explained.

So far, nearly 700 RRI journalists nationwide have been certified at junior and intermediate levels, each receiving official recognition.

Head of RRI Yogyakarta Station and Chairman of Korwil 11, Akhmad Suhartono, highlighted that the four stations (Surakarta, Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Purwokerto) are committed to launching the first UKWR of 2026. He noted that the program is self-funded, with costs covered by participants from the respective work units.

This round focuses primarily on junior-level certification while also testing updated modules reviewed by six examiners from the UKWR task force. The revised modules align with the latest Press Council regulations and legal provisions, ensuring RRI journalists meet current national standards.

Of the 30 participants, 10 are from Yogyakarta, seven from Semarang, seven from Purwokerto, and six from Surakarta, including several upgrading to the intermediate level.

“News is no longer confined to radio; it is also uploaded to digital platforms. Cyber oversight has therefore become a priority alongside traditional broadcasting,” Dono remarked.

Looking ahead, Pusbangkom plans to apply for a license to serve as an official examiner for cyber news. The region also intends to hold a second testing session later in 2026, in collaboration with stakeholders such as the Central Java Provincial Office of the Ministry of Communication and Digital, which also requires journalist certification. ***