INDOPOSCO.ID – The 21st Journalist Competency Test (UKW) organized by INDOPOSCO in collaboration with the Journalist Competency Testing Institute of Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta (LUKW UMJ) officially concluded on Sunday (Sept. 20, 2026).
The competency test, jointly organized by news media outlet INDOPOSCO and LUKW UMJ, carried the theme “Strengthening Journalists’ Professionalism in the AI Era.” The two-day event was held on Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 19–20, 2026) at the Kasman Singodimedjo Auditorium, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta (UMJ), South Tangerang, Banten.
A total of 22 participants, ranging from junior and intermediate to senior levels, took part in the entire series of assessments. All participants were declared competent.
UKW examiner Hendri Ch Bangun, a former chairman of the central board of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), said the successful completion of the test by all participants demonstrated that they had substantial experience and were actively carrying out their journalistic duties.
“With this, we declare all of them competent,” Hendri said during the closing ceremony on Sunday (Sept. 20, 2026).
“Usually, when all participants are declared competent, it is because they are genuinely journalists who carry out their journalistic duties on a daily basis,” he added.
According to Hendri, the participants’ capabilities, particularly those at the senior level, were also reflected in their experience within their respective media organizations. Some of the participants even hold leadership positions at their media outlets.
“I don’t know the level of difficulty of each test, but at the senior level, their competence has indeed been proven. Some of them are also leaders at their respective media organizations,” he said.
Hendri said he was pleased to be involved once again in the journalist competency assessment process. He said the participants’ abilities demonstrated a level of capacity that was in line with developments in the journalism industry today.
“I am very pleased because, judging from the results of this competency test, they have demonstrated a very high level of capacity. This is also in line with developments in journalism and the trends we are currently seeing,” he said.
He explained that the UKW does not merely assess journalists’ understanding of journalistic principles and material. Their actual competence is also demonstrated through practical exercises, discussions, evaluations, and their ability to produce journalistic work.
“The test material itself is adequate, but it is through practice, discussions, evaluation mechanisms, and writing that the true level of competence becomes apparent,” he said.
For that reason, Hendri expressed hope that passing the UKW would not mark the end of the participants’ learning process, but rather the beginning of their efforts to further improve the quality of their work and their professional responsibilities.
“Hopefully, what we have achieved here will instead become the beginning of how we carry out our important duties,” he added.
With all participants declared competent, the 21st UKW organized by LUKW UMJ also forms part of ongoing efforts to maintain professional competency standards for journalists amid rapid changes in the media ecosystem and technological development.
The 21st INDOPOSCO-LUKW UMJ Journalist Competency Test was held with the support of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, PT Bank Mandiri Tbk, the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk, PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (Persero), PT Bukit Asam Tbk, PT Patra Drilling Contractor, PT Pertamina Hulu Energi, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, PT Bank Central Asia Tbk, and PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk.
Further support came from PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk, PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia, PT Energi Mega Persada Tbk, PT Bank BCA Syariah, PT Bumi Resources Minerals Tbk, PLN Icon Plus, PT United Tractors Tbk, PT Pertamina Gas, PT Elnusa Tbk, PT Pertamina Eksplorasi dan Produksi, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk, PT Perta Arun Gas, PT Pertamina International Shipping, PT PLN Nusantara Power, Yayasan Samudera Indonesia Timur, PT PLN Indonesia Power, PT Elnusa Petrofin, PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals, and the Public Relations Division of the Indonesian National Police (Polri).
Additional support was provided by PT Mega Global Food Industri, Aston Kartika Grogol Hotel & Conference Center, PT Karya Tetangga Tuku, Park 5 Simatupang, PT Sariguna Primatirta Tbk (Cleo), PT Sasa Inti, PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol Tbk, PT Herba Utama, PT Orang Tua (OT Group), PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China, and PT Ambhara Taruna.
The support was part of a collaborative effort by various stakeholders to promote greater capacity and professionalism among members of the Indonesian press. (her)
