The British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Dominic Jermey CVO, OBE. (Image by Pelakita.ID)
PELAKITA.ID – The Regional Media Conference (RMC) 2025 was officially opened at Bikin-Bikin Creative Hub – KabarMakassar Editorial Office, Nipah Park, Makassar, on Monday, March 24, 2025.
With the theme “Equality and Sustainability in Eastern Indonesia through Strengthening Civil Rights and the Role of Media,” the conference aims to enhance public access to credible and transparent information.
This conference is a collaborative effort between KabarMakassar and BBC Media Action, supported by the British Government in Indonesia.
Hajriana Ashadi, Director of KabarMakassar, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in building an ecosystem of equality in Eastern Indonesia.
“This is a significant initiative involving participants from various regions in Eastern Indonesia. We hope this conference will serve as a starting point for strengthening equality in this region,” said Hajriana.
Similarly, Rachael McGuin, Country Director for Indonesia and the Pacific at BBC Media Action, expressed full support for the event.
“We are delighted to be here and proud to collaborate with KabarMakassar. BBC Media Action hopes this partnership will be fruitful,” she stated.
In-Depth Discussions and Strategic Recommendations
Following the opening session, the event continued with a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) that explored conditions in Eastern Indonesia, including challenges in accessing information, development disparities, and the strengthening of civil rights. Participants were divided into three groups to discuss interrelated topics.
The first group addressed issues related to energy, labor, health, education, children, women, and indigenous communities. The second group examined democracy and human rights issues. The third group focused on the role of media, civil society, and key driving actors.
As a follow-up, a resolution and recommendation session was held to reinforce equality and sustainability in Eastern Indonesia. Several academics and representatives from civil society organizations participated in analyzing the FGD results and formulating sustainable development strategies.
FGD was held to identify issues and actions (image by Pelakita.ID)
One of the key recommendations was improving media literacy in remote areas, particularly regarding energy issues, women, children, and indigenous communities.
Additionally, collaboration between civil society, the media, and stakeholders was deemed crucial to ensuring that resulting policies have a broad impact, not only locally but also nationally.
Launch of the Equality and Sustainability Program
As the event’s highlight, KabarMakassar and BBC Media Action launched the “Equality and Sustainability in Eastern Indonesia through Strengthening Civil Rights and the Role of Media” program. This event marked an important moment in formulating sustainable development strategies for Eastern Indonesia.
Hajriana Ashadi reaffirmed that RMC 2025 has generated various strategic ideas, particularly in addressing development challenges and fulfilling civil rights in Eastern Indonesia.
“Thank you, BBC Media Action, for facilitating this productive discussion and collaboration. We hope this initiative will result in legal frameworks that ensure transparency and sustainability,” she stated.
Founder and CEO of KGI, Upi Asmaradhana, also emphasized the significance of RMC 2025 as a starting point for consolidating civil society, highlighting that collective efforts are necessary to break free from echo chambers.
“This is a crucial moment for the media to channel the aspirations of Eastern Indonesia’s communities to policymakers,” he remarked.
Upi Asmaradhana, CEO KGI Networkd (Image by Pelakita.ID)
The Role of Journalism in Democracy and Human Rights
In a virtual speech, the British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Dominic Jermey CVO, OBE, highlighted the vital role of journalism in democracy and human rights.
He also appreciated the collaboration between KabarMakassar and BBC Media Action in opening discourse on media and journalism challenges, particularly in Eastern Indonesia.
Jermey emphasized that journalism and human rights are fundamental pillars of a democratic society.
“Journalists play a crucial role in informing the public, enhancing transparency, and drawing attention to important issues such as human rights and the environment,” he said.
According to him, covering environmental issues such as climate change and pollution is not an easy task. Journalists often work under challenging conditions and face significant risks.
Therefore, ensuring their safety and independence is essential in guaranteeing press freedom.
Furthermore, Jermey underscored that the long-standing relationship between the British and Indonesian governments is built on mutual respect. He viewed the conference as a valuable opportunity to discuss ways to support journalists in fulfilling their duties.
He also emphasized the importance of journalists having access to training, resources, and professional networks to ensure accurate and ethical reporting.
“The collaboration between media and civil society is key to creating an environment where press freedom is protected,” he added.
This initiative is expected to benefit Indonesian journalists in navigating the digital era and strengthening press freedom amidst global information dynamics.
Similarly, Helena Rea, Head of Project at BBC Media Action, stressed the importance of building media capacity and strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration.
“We see an incredible spirit of collaboration from various parties, both media and activists. The media is a crucial pillar in social change. Beyond improving journalistic quality, we also need to consider how the media can influence policies related to major issues such as the environment, women’s rights, and equitable development in remote areas,” said Helena.
She emphasized that digital and media literacy must be strengthened to build public resilience against misinformation and disinformation, particularly among youth, women, and other vulnerable groups.
Academic Support and Agreement Signing
The Rector of Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), Prof. Jamaluddin Jompa, also attended the event and highlighted the crucial role of higher education institutions in supporting development in Eastern Indonesia.
As an academic representative, Prof. Jompa, widely known as Prof. JJ, asserted that UNHAS is a representation of Eastern Indonesia.
“Currently, out of 24 state universities with legal entity status (PTNBH) in Indonesia, only one is from the east, namely UNHAS. If 23 are in the west and only one is in the east, the ship will tilt. Therefore, we must strengthen capacities in various fields, including civil rights and the role of the media. UNHAS, with its extensive network, is ready to take on this role,” Prof. JJ stated.
“This event is exceptional. Several pressing issues have emerged that require action, and UNHAS is ready to collaborate and follow up on the agreed agendas,” he added.
Helena Rea, Rachel McGuinn and Rector UNHAS Prof Jamaluddin Jompa (Image by Pelakita.ID)
Prof. JJ cited examples of how UNHAS can contribute to designing and implementing programs such as gender equality, social inclusion, climate change, renewable energy, and strengthening civil rights in remote areas of Eastern Indonesia.
He also emphasized the importance of social, ecological, and economic research in the region.
To conclude, a joint agreement was signed regarding “Equality and Sustainability in Eastern Indonesia through Strengthening Civil Rights and the Role of Media.”
This initiative is expected to drive more inclusive and sustainable policies. All representatives and speakers participated in the signing ceremony.
Speakers and Participants
The discussion featured prominent speakers from various sectors, including activists, journalists, and academics. Participants included representatives from independent journalist organizations, human rights groups, media associations, and civil society organizations.
With support from the British Government, RMC 2025 is expected to lay the foundation for more credible information access, a stronger media ecosystem, and the advancement of civil rights in Eastern Indonesia.
