Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) once again received recognition at the Serikat Perusahaan Pers (SPS) Awards 2024, as announced on Tuesday (Apr. 30).
In a competition that featured over 700 entries from various government institutions, corporations, and press companies, UGM received two awards: the Indonesia Inhouse Magazine Award (InMA) Gold Winner for the Kabar UGM Magazine December 2023 edition and the Indonesia Digital Media Awards (IDMA) Silver Winner for its official website.
No campus received the Gold Winner award for the best university website. Thus, UGM secured the highest recognition.
UGM Secretary Dr. Andi Sandi expressed gratitude for UGM’s achievement in winning two awards in the InMA and IDMA categories. He viewed these awards as an appreciation from external parties for the publication channels owned by UGM.
“These awards further motivate the public relations, social media, and news teams to deliver information even better to the public through magazines and websites,” Dr. Sandi said on Sunday (May 1).
In an event themed “Healthy Press and Strong Democracy,” the General Chairperson of the Central Serikat Perusahaan Pers (SPS), Januar Primadi Ruswita, stated that awards for media professionals are expected to stimulate the creation of creative and innovative journalistic works that inspire amid the rapidly evolving digital technology that facilitates public access to information.
“In the past ten years, digital technology has advanced significantly. However, SPS remains committed to upholding the dignity of the press as part of efforts to educate the nation with quality and responsible journalistic products,” he explained.
The Chairperson of the Press Council, Dr. Ninik Rahayu, explained that Law 40 of 1999 concerning the Press provides guidelines that the press must be independent and part of efforts to fulfill citizens’ constitutional rights.
She emphasized that this law not only protects the press and its companies but fundamentally seeks to protect the constitutional rights of all citizens.
Therefore, collaborative efforts to sustain the press media are not solely the responsibility of press companies but require the participation of the government, law enforcement, civil society, corporations, and NGOs.
As part of the democratic pillar, Dr. Rahayu stated that the press faces significant challenges. Previously, every news piece produced by journalists was tested for factual accuracy, balance, and the public’s need for information.
However, information appearing on social media platforms or from influencers and YouTubers is now considered news despite lacking accuracy and factual reliability.
“We are currently drafting new regulations as standards for professional press companies,” she added.
The SPS Award presentation is divided into five categories: Indonesia Print Media Award (IPMA), Indonesia Inhouse Magazine Award (InMA), Indonesia Student Print Media Award (ISPRIMA), Indonesia Young Readers Award (IYRA), Indonesia Digital Media Awards (IDMA).
This prestigious award event for media professionals is attended annually by national and local print and online media companies, magazine publishers, and social media managers from universities, state-owned enterprises, and private sectors.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: Serikat Perusahaan Pers