BATAM, KEPULAUAN RIAU — The City of Batam in Kepulauan Riau (Kepri) has officially been designated as the host for the 3rd National Working Meeting (Rakernas III) of Pro Jurnalismedia Siber (PJS). The national press organization’s key annual agenda is scheduled to take place over two days, from November 4 to November 5, 2026.
This national-level gathering is confirmed to draw delegates representing 25 provinces across the country, comprising officials from Regional Executive Boards (DPD) as well as City and Regency Executive Boards (DPC) throughout Indonesia.
General Chairman of the PJS Central Executive Board (DPP), Mahmud Marhaba, stated that Batam’s selection as the host city was primarily based on its highly strategic geographic location, which offers easy accessibility for participants arriving from various parts of the Indonesian archipelago.
“Following our previous host city, Jakarta, we conducted comprehensive evaluations across multiple operational aspects. One of the core considerations was strategic accessibility, leading to our mutual decision to appoint Batam City as the host,” said Mahmud after leading the Rakernas preparatory meeting in Batam on Friday (18/9/2026).
Mahmud further explained that Rakernas III carries a critical mission centered on advancing professional standards for journalists. Two primary focus areas to be formulated during the meeting include conducting widespread Journalist Competency Tests (UKW) and bolstering legal aid and protection for journalists facing legal disputes arising from their news reporting.
In addition to formulating strategic work programs and preparing steps toward factual verification by the Press Council (Dewan Pers), the event will feature the inauguration of the newly structured DPP PJS executive board for the 2026–2027 period.
“This national working meeting will be integrated with the official inauguration of incoming DPP board members, which includes prominent regional figures from Kepulauan Riau,” Mahmud added.
The coordination meeting was attended by key executive officials, including PJS Secretary-General Rikky Fermana and Treasurer-General Sofyan Siahaan, alongside representatives from the Kepulauan Riau Regional Board and Batam City Branch Board.
To complement the event details, the role of Batam as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) hub in Western Indonesia provides significant advantages. Its proximity to neighboring countries such as Singapore and Malaysia makes Batam an ideal backdrop for national press gatherings, fostering regional networking and connectivity among media professionals.
Furthermore, the emphasis on Journalist Competency Tests (UKW) and legal advocacy highlights growing efforts within the Indonesian media sector to improve journalism standards. By equipping journalists with accredited qualifications and safeguarding legal protections, press organizations like PJS aim to maintain media integrity, counter misinformation, and protect freedom of the press in the digital era.