The case of a mass media that was sued by the families of victims of child abuse, became one of the topics for discussion of the basic journalism training participants from SMA Modal Bangsa Arun, Lhokseumawe, Indonesia, March 8-10, 2021.
This case is quite complicated and often becomes a question in professional journalist competency tests. Unexpectedly, there were also participants who answered correctly and had broad views on child-care journalism.
"Even though the baseball club is not the child's identity, the media should not use the hat as a photo supporting news, because his friends and neighbors know he really likes the baseball club," said Aifa Meisi Putri Aulia, a journalism training participant at high school. Arun Nation Capital, Lhokseumawe.
The student of Class XI IPA 4 was involved in a debate with several other participants who disagreed. Not only are the children's insights amazing, the way they express their opinions deserves thumbs up. They look like professional journalists even though they still look like a teenager who sometimes jokes around a lot.
No wonder Meisi — Aifa Meisi Putri Aulia's nickname — can argue smoothly and has journalistic insight. The girl has the ability in communication skills, both oral and written. In an article writing competition for students and students in Aceh who won the Malikussaleh University title, Meisi became one of the favorite champions.
The girl also became a moderator in a literary discussion on short story writing delivered by Ayi Jufridar, a lecturer at the Universitas Malikussaleh at the SMA Capital Nation Arun yard, Wednesday (1/3/2021) night. His style when guiding the discussion was no different from experienced moderators.
Apart from Meisi, a number of other participants also have knowledge of journalism. For example, Fahasyara Al Deesa from class X IPA 1 questioned the obligation of journalists to confirm the accuracy and balance of the news. Meanwhile, Hafsa Yuswita from class X IPA 1 criticized the number of current news titles that did not match their content.
The journalism training presented Ayi Jufridar from Universitas Malikussaleh and LKBN Antara photographer, Rahmad Yd, as presenters. For three days, 32 participants received journalism and photography materials and practices.
“Children not only learn theory but also practice covering and writing news. They also look for standard journalistic photos by using cellphones, "said Drs Mulyo, a teacher at SMA Modal Bangsa Arun.
According to him, the journalism training was conducted to equip students in managing school news portals. "As well as honing writing skills," added Mulyo, who teaches Indonesian.
The principal of SMAN Modal Bangsa Arun, Drs Muhammad, hopes that the training can produce quality journalists in the future. “They have talents and interests. It just needs to be directed. We provide a place for them to develop their potential by creating a news portal, "said Muhammad who is familiarly called Papi.
Papi said many of the achievements of the Arun Nation's Capital students at the provincial and national levels had so far escaped the news. "Maybe because we rarely send releases to the media," added Papi, who hoped that the relationship between journalists and SMA Modal Bangsa Arun would be well developed.
Ayi Jufridar and Rahmad Yd acknowledged that the participants had potential in the fields of journalism and photography. "They can understand the value of news, can choose a strong angle, and write it well. Only edited less than 10 percent, it is fit for broadcast, "said Ayi Jufridar, who teaches journalism at the Communication Studies Study Program at Malikussaleh University.
The same thing was admitted by Rahmad Yd, who obliged participants to look for news supporting photos. According to him, the participants have potential in the field of photography. "By using cell phones, they can get journalistic standard photos," said Rahmad, who is also the head of the Jurnalis Pase Football Club (JPFC).
The head of the training committee, Syahrul Hamdi, said that the participants would later become managers of the internal news portal at SMA Modal Bangsa Arun. "So, this training is continuous and the children have internal media to train their writing and journalistic skills," said Syahrul who was accompanied by another committee, Nanta Es.
Internet technology does provide wider opportunities for high school students to explore the world of journalism more deeply. Schools can build internal media to report their achievements as well as educate students in the field of writing. []
