SOE Minister Erick Thohir Receives Gold Pin From Central PWI

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) RI, Dr (HC) H. Erick Thohir, BA, MBA who was represented to Deputy Minister of BUMN II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, received the Golden Pin award from the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI).

This award was given because the Ministry of SOEs has supported the implementation of various PWI activities, especially the Journalist Competency Test (UKW) which is currently being held in 10 cities.

The award was handed over by the General Chairperson of the Central PWI Hendry Ch Bangun at the National Mass Media Convention, which was held in the 2024 National Press Day (HPN) series at the Bentar Hall Temple, Ancol, North Jakarta, Monday 19 February.

As a friend of Indonesian press, apart from Pin Emas, Kartika Wirjoatmodjo also received two Play Maker books, when the Ball was at Erick Thohir's feet by Erly Bahtiar and a book entitled ETERNity, Exploration of Strategy by the BUMN Journalists Forum.

In his remarks, Hendry said, PWI appreciated the Ministry of SOEs for helping the implementation of free UKWs from Aceh to Papua.

With this support, at least 2,000 journalists thank BUMN, especially Bp Erick Thohir, for being able to participate in free UKW. In June 2024, PWI will fulfill its promise by implementing UKW in 38 provinces plus 1 special area, namely Solo. "We are grateful for the fast process and it is not complicated, so the UKW program can be implemented," said Hendry Ch Bangun.

This SOE assistance, said Hendry, is a manifestation of the government's involvement in the press. "In order to develop, the Press needs assistance in the government's involvement," he said.

According to Hendry, there were two awards given by PWI, namely Gold Pin and Gold Pena. The Golden Pena must be proposed from the regions or regional PWI for further verification of the Central PWI and approved. Meanwhile, the Gold Pin is a form of appreciation for the attention given to PWI.

Hendry further revealed, apart from the implementation of UKW, PWI has superior programs such as the Indonesian Journalists School (SJI) which has begun, and national education at Lemhanas. With the support of PWI stakeholders, the PWI program will be able to run well because of its goal of improving journalist professionalism.

Meanwhile Kartika Wirjoatmodjo expressed his gratitude for the award given to the Minister of SOEs. He apologized from the Minister of SOEs who could not attend due to the same activity.

As Deputy Minister, he admitted that he often communicates and is close to journalists. Even the news submitted by the media really helps the Ministry of SOEs. "We support how this press will be better in the future. We support UKW so that journalists are sharper in the field to present healthy news to the public," he said.

Kartika admitted, the Ministry of SOEs routinely presents journalists in various activities both at the center and also in the regions. And his party also continues to encourage SOEs in the regions to continue to form partnerships with press personnel.

Not to forget, the Deputy Minister also encouraged the media to continue to improve and take advantage of advances in digital technology in finding and presenting news. Of course there are challenges and shifts including the presence of hoax news. In that case, the press is required to be able to write and deliver healthy news both through video content and digitalization.

After delivering his remarks, the General Chairperson of the Central PWI, Hedry CH Bangun, pinned the Golden Pin to the Deputy Minister and handed over a certificate of appreciation witnessed by the PWI Central management and also the Chairmen of the Provincial PWI as well as HPN participants from all over Indonesia.