Semarang (25/10) – For the next three days, a group of female journalists from various Asian countries will gather in Semarang for a meeting aimed at strengthening their solidarity and addressing key issues related to media freedom. This event was held in a hybrid format at the Senate Meeting Room and the Auditorium of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Diponegoro (Undip). The event was part of the Solidarity for Media Freedom project initiated by the Asian Center for Journalism (ACFJ) at Ateneo de Manila University, with financial support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Philippines. This project also involved various media organizations such as the Philippine Press Institute, Mindanao Times, Cebu-Citizens Press Council, and Universitas Diponegoro, collaborating to advance media freedom in Asia.

The objective of this meeting was to enhance the capacity of female journalists in facing challenges in the field of journalism, advocating for press freedom, and increasing public awareness of journalism issues. A key component of this project was a workshop focused on Filipino female journalists, with the aim of identifying concrete actions to strengthen the protection of journalists, especially women, and building a robust support system for them.

Furthermore, the meeting in Semarang took this advocacy to a broader level by involving female journalists from various Asian countries. They had come together to present the situations of female journalists in their respective countries and discuss potential solutions to the challenges they face. These discussions were also expected to contribute to broader research on the safety of female journalists in Asia.

The Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Diponegoro, in his address, emphasized the importance of understanding the obstacles faced by female journalists. “By accurately identifying the most significant obstacles faced by female journalists, this study can inform policies and interventions to create a safer and more equitable environment for female journalists in the media industry throughout Asia, thereby taking practical steps to advance their rights and well-being.”

The activities on the first day included presentations from several expert speakers, including Dr. Sunarto, M.Si, who spoke on “Gender Equality in Indonesian Newsrooms.” Dr. Sunarto discussed the challenges and opportunities faced by female journalists in Indonesia, as well as efforts to achieve gender equality in newsrooms.

Luviana Ariyanti, M.Si, played a crucial role in discussing “Sexual Harassment of Women Journalists in Indonesian Media.” She addressed the serious issue of sexual harassment often faced by female journalists in the Indonesian media industry and efforts to provide better protection for them.

Moreover, this meeting also served as a platform for female journalists to share their experiences and best practices in their profession. They discussed how they deal with pressure and threats, as well as strategies to strengthen their courage and resilience in addressing serious issues related to media freedom.

This meeting will create a strong new network among Asian female journalists, which will be a valuable resource in advocating for media freedom and pursuing their profession more safely and efficiently. The overall event is a significant step in supporting media freedom and enhancing the role of women in journalism in Asia.