Dudung Abdurachman Emphasizes the Role of the Media in Caring for the Nationality

The journalist who won the Kasad Awards 2023 took a photo with the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, General of the Indonesian Armed Forces, Dr. Dudung Abdurachman. (SPC)

JAKARTA - Media that cares about Human Security issues is an important capital for this nation to step up and move forward to find solutions to humanitarian and Indonesian problems.

This was conveyed by the Chief of Staff of the Army (Kasad), General TNI Dr. Dudung Abdurachman, at the 2023 KASAD Award event which was held at the A.H. Nasution, Indonesian Army Headquarters (Mabesad), Jakarta, Monday 10 July evening.

Furthermore, in the event which carried the theme "Together Caring for the Nationality", the Army Chief of Staff explained that the conclusion was based on the TNI AD's observations on the strategic role of the media as a channel of accurate, balanced, and independent information in articulating 10 national strategic issues in its reports.

The ten strategic issues are also government priority programs that are urgently needed by the nation and people of Indonesia at this time, namely:

1. Diversity and Tolerance

2. Against Radicalism

3. Gender Mainstreaming (PUG)

4. Digital Innovation

5. International Solidarity

6. TNI AD in the Middle of People's Difficulties

7. Development in the 3T Region

8. Child Protection

9. Pressing Stunting

10. Cultural Preservation

"Therefore, the 2023 KASAD Award is aimed at giving appreciation to online media that pays attention to these strategic issues. Of course, by still considering aspects of completeness of information, variety of presentation and balanced content, and contributing to educating the public," he said, while mentioning that it is not impossible, in the future the media segmentation that is considered to be expanded will also include print, television and radio media.

The ten categories related to Human Security issues are the basis for searching for article content created by national media, regional media, and campus media on digital platforms. From May 2022 to May 2023, the 2023 KASAD Award Committee has screened around 3 million articles from 221 media that raise issues based on these categories. Next, the committee re-screens based on the names of media companies that have been verified in the Press Council (except for campus media), and the amount or quantity of coverage on these issues. From this selection, the KASAD Award jury reviewed and gave a score to 2,030 articles produced by 72 media that entered the final stage. Until finally it was decided that 24 media outlets won the 2023 KASAD Award, with the following details:

1. Categories of Diversity and Tolerance- Media Nasional: Kompas.com

- Regional Media: Nu.or.id

- Campus Media: Suarausu.or.id

2. Against Radicalism

- National Media: Tempo.co

- Regional Media: Nu.or.id

- Campus Media: Pabelan-online.com

3. Gender Mainstreaming

- National Media: Tempo.co

- Regional Media: Solopos.com

- Campus Media: Balairungpress.com

4. Digital Innovation

- National Media: Kontan.co.id

- Regional Media: Klikwarta.com

- Campus Media: Gelorasriwijaya.co

5. International Solidarity

- National Media: CNNindonesia.com

- Regional Media: Koran-jakarta.com

6. TNI AD in the Middle of People's Difficulties

- National Media: Liputan6.com

- Regional Media: Radarsolo.jawapos.com

7. Development in the 3T Region

- National Media: Antaranews.com

- Regional Media: Padek.jawapos.com

8. Child Protection

- National Media: Idntimes.com

- Regional Media: Suaramerdeka.com

9. Pressing Stunting

- National Media: Republika.co.id

- Regional Media: Timesindonesia.co.id

10. Cultural Preservation

- National Media: Kumparan.com

- Regional Media: Krjogja.com

Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army, General TNI Dr. Dudung Abdurachman. (SPC)

The KASAD Award jury consists of seven figures who are qualified in their respective fields. Chaired by Press Council Chair Ninik Rahayu, Kadispenad Brigadier General Hamim Tohari, communications researcher Effendi Gazali, Chair of the Governing Body of the SETARA Institute Ismail Hasani, Chair of the Indonesian Cyber Media Association (AMSI) Wenseslaus Manggut, and two representatives of media companies, namely Arif Zulkifli from Tempo and Sonya Hellen Sinombor from Kompas.

The event was attended by a number of ministers from the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, state officials, and agencies, key officials from the TNI and Polri, religious leaders, and dozens of editors from the mass media. The event hosted by Titular Lt. Col. Deddy Corbuzier and Ida Parwati was also enlivened by the appearance of the Indonesian Army Kartika Symphony Orchestra, winner of various national and international awards, as an accompaniment to the melodies.