BPDPKS Begins Initial Class for 1st Batch of Journalist Fellowship Program

The Indonesia Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) began initial class for the first batch of Journalist Fellowship Program in Jakarta, Monday (15/4/2019). There were 10 journalists participated in the class which was held at Wyndham Casablanca Jakarta hotel. All participants are journalists who have completed selection process arranged by BPDPKS.

Journalists Fellowship Program is a program organized by BPDPKS that allows journalists to carry out a research and improve their knowledge and skill of news reporting about palm oil in the area of environment, health, economic impact, sustainability standard, palm oil products as well as other relevant issues. 

The program which will be held in several batches is open for journalists from national or regional print and online media. The fellowship will be awarded to only ten journalists in each batch.

President Director of BPDPKS Dono Boestami said the program is important as it allows journalists to improve journalism skills in reporting news about palm oil. It is also important since palm oil is a strategic commodity for Indonesia. “This program is expected to afford some fresh insights into the palm oil’s dynamics. We are also expecting journalists to boost their knowledge and expertise in reporting news about palm oil so that public may gain a lot more important information,” Dono said. In every batch, participants attend some activities.

At the first stage they attend a class in Jakarta to allow them understand various issues on palm oil, duties and responsibilities of the national oil palm institution as well as duties and responsible of BPDPKS. At the second stage, participants join field trips to observe palm oil production process, including visit oil palm plantation in Bangka Island.

The activities offer participants to know more about oil palm plantation. After completing this stage, participant will write stories based on data gained in the class or during field trips. Participants are allowed to carry out their own research, including field research, literature review, or others activities that are deemed necessary. At the third stage, three participants who are considered to be the best in creating journalistic works will be offered an opportunity to cover overseas events such as the one in Oslo, Moscow, and a city in Japan.

Participants will cover overseas events organized by BPDPKS to see international responses to palm oil issues as well as to improve their knowledge. All participants who have completed whole stages are obligated to write report on news article or research paper. ***