The Department of Communication Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Diponegoro University, held a community service activity at SMA Negeri 1 Semarang on Monday (May 18). The community service activity by the KBK Media Communication and Journalism of Undip took place in the auditorium of SMA 1 Semarang. Communication Science lecturers from FISIP Undip provided journalism training to the school’s media team and media literacy activists.
The journalism training speakers consisted of Communication Science lecturers from Undip: Dr. Sunarto, M.Si., Dr. Adi Nugroho, M.Si., and Agne Yasa, S.I.Kom., M.A.
The journalism training was officially opened by Mrs. Pristi, the Vice Principal of SMA Negeri 1 Semarang for Public Relations, representing the Principal of SMA Negeri 1 Semarang, Noor Taufik Saleh, S.Pd., M.Pd. The training was attended by 30 students who are interested in journalism and school media, as well as members of the media literacy club at SMA Negeri 1 Semarang.
During the training, Dr. Sunarto, M.Si., emphasized the importance for students to understand journalism well, considering that such understanding is also beneficial in providing quality information, which is crucial in today’s rapidly growing social media era, where the spread of hoaxes and fake news is a major concern.
Dr. Sunarto invited journalism enthusiasts and school activists to understand the elements of journalism as proposed by Bill Kovach. “There are important elements, including presenting the truth and being useful to the public. Additionally, presenting news that is actual and significant,” he explained.
Another speaker, Dr. Adi Nugroho, M.Si., shared a number of journalism techniques and guidelines for journalism activists, while also expressing hope for the revival of the school magazine “Ekspresi” at SMA 1, which was once a quality school media outlet. “There was Ekspresi at SMA 1, Dwi Adisma at SMA Negeri 2 Semarang, and Cemeti at SMA 3 Semarang. Hopefully, school media can rise again in the future by delivering quality information, perhaps in online or digital formats, or through social media platforms,” he explained.
He also mentioned several important skills that need to be prepared, including reporting and interviewing skills, as well as editing abilities. Reporting is typically done by school reporters or journalists, while editing is handled by senior students who have better writing and editing skills.
Editing remains essential for school magazines and social media because student journalists often cover events in a hurry and may lack complete data. “Editors or editors-in-chief help make reporters’ writing more qualified,” he explained.
Editing is also important to ensure that journalistic ethics and reporting practices are observed, as well as to pay attention to legal aspects, so that school journalists do not violate Indonesian laws or regulations related to issues of ethnicity, religion, race, and intergroup relations (SARA).
Another session was delivered by Agne Yasa, S.I.Kom., M.A., who also teaches Introduction to Media Industry and Press Management in the Undergraduate Communication Science program at Undip. The journalism skills acquired by students will also benefit the school’s efforts to build better media literacy.
The journalism training at SMA Negeri 1 Semarang was also accompanied by supervising teachers, including the media literacy advisor and journalism and school media advisor, Nia Novitasari, S.S., M.Pd.
The students actively interacted with the speakers, delving deeper into journalism topics and discussing ways and tips to improve their journalistic abilities.
“The important thing is that students are willing to learn and have motivation. Their journalistic skills will improve over time,” said Dr. Adi Nugroho, M.Si., who shared that during his high school years, he also served as the editor-in-chief of DWI Adisma, the school magazine of SMA Negeri 2 Semarang.
According to Agne Yasa, similar journalism training activities will also be held at SMA Negeri 4 Semarang. The school has already granted permission, and they are currently finding the right time, considering that students will be on school holidays starting June.
“This reporting skills improvement activity from the Communication Science program of FISIP Undip will also be conducted at SMA Negeri 4 in Banyumanik,” he added. According to Dr. Adi Nugroho, M.Si., the head of the community service team, these activities are conducted regularly each semester, with themes adapted to the dynamics of schools and youth. Previously, they carried a theme on improving journalistic capacity for residents, which took place in several villages in Semarang City.
Agne Yasa stated that this training greatly helps students improve their journalism knowledge and skills. One indicator of its success was that the majority of students were able to absorb the material well. This was measured through a post-test, and before the training, participants also completed a pre-test related to journalism materials and journalistic language.